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Question about why so many people overtighten stem bolts like they're lug nuts

I was helping a friend fix his creaky handlebars last weekend and found his stem bolts torqued to what felt like 15nm and the steerer tube was already starting to dimple, has anyone else seen this kind of damage from people just cranking down without a torque wrench?
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2 Comments
wendy_garcia16
My Park Tool torque wrench reads 5nm on a good day and I used to think close enough was good enough. Then I saw a carbon steerer crack at 8nm from a friend who just kept cranking until it felt tight. @lucas_grant83 15nm on aluminum will absolutely leave a permanent ring if you go past the yield point. Ive got a handlebar with the dimples to prove it from when I was younger and dumber.
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lucas_grant83
Is 15nm actually enough to dimple a steerer tube though?
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