Changing gears in my sc lowers and doing the final torque on the vertical shaft bolt at bottom that holds gear up, Imco spec say's 100 ft lbs and it snaped of the head which is a chore to get out after it' s loctited in, on a 3/8 grade 5 bolt x 1" long IMO that' s to much . In merc., manual it say' s 45 ft lbs, private messages Mr. Gadget because he's the man but no response yet.
Anyone have the skinny on this?

Thanks Joe

I don't think any 3/8 bolt will take 100ft lbs.

35 ft lbs with 3/8 bolt, 85 ft lbs with 3/4 stud and nut.

There are 2 styles of the shaft, the early Mercury version had a 3/4 male thread and a skinny nut, newer version is tapped and has the 3/8 bolt. So it depends what shaft is in there. And Griff is correct, no 3/8 bolt will take 100 ft lbs.

I still like to do a reality check on how it feels while I'm tightening, you can kind of feel if the bolt is stretching - just before it snaps

The trick is to stop before it's too late and regroup, see what's wrong.

Thanks for replies.

Joe