Over torqued panhard rod bolts. Replace them?

I can't really examine the bolts from here, but if you removed them after overtorqueing them you should have been able to see signs of the bolt being stretched past it's yield point. Generally this will show up as an elongation where the threads end and the bolt shank begins. Often times the threads themselves will show signs of damage. Generally torque specs require that the threads be lightly lubricated in order for the measurements to be accurate. If you didn't lube the threads on the first go round you probably didn't fully stretch the bolts even though the wrench indicated 180 ft.lbs. A good example of just how important lubricating the threads is can be seen when comparing the specs for threads lubed with oil and threads lubed with moly bolt lube. The moly specs are significantly lower. eg. A 1/2 inch ARP small block Mopar head bolt used with aluminum heads is speced to 120 ft.lbs. when using oil, but only 75 ft.lbs. is needed to achieve the same degree of stretch when using moly lube. If the bolts look OK you're probably safe, but since suspension parts are one place where "probably" isn't good enough I would replace them with quality bolts as soon as practical.

I am pretty sure that the bolts torque specifications in the ford manual are for dry threads/NOT LUBRICATED. If they are to be lubricated then there would be a special note of what lubricant to use. If you torque to ford specification with lubricant then you likely will damage the bolts.

The bolts are typically specified to a torque that will put a tensile stress on the bolt of 75% of the yield strength of the bolt. If you torque past the yield strength then the bolt usually will not return to its original length.

Correcting the accidental double post. T = (K D P)/12

T = Torque (ft-lbs)
D = Nominal Diameter (inches)
P = Desired Clamp Load Tension (lbs)
K = Torque Coefficient (dimensionless)

The value of K is a dimensionless torque coefficient that encompasses variables such as those listed above, as well as the most significant variable, friction. The value of K can range from 0.10 for a well lubricated/waxed assembly, to over 0.30 for one that is dirty or rusty. The values we used when calculating our values are:

0.10 = Waxed/Lubricated
0.20 = Plain, as received condition, slightly oily
0.25 = Hot-Dip Galvanized


180/130 = 1.38461538462 indicating 38.5% over-torqued. .75*Fy *1.38= 1.035Fy Thus bolt was stressed over the yield stress even if it was not lubricated which you should not lubricate it anyway.

I would replace to play it safe. It really is not that expensive nor difficult.

Heres the part numbers and prices.

2 of these----- 14 -W711504-S439 TRACK ARM ASSY BOLT
$4.46

15 -W710022-S900 TRACK ARM ASSY NUT
$2.53

16 -W710689-S900 TRACK ARM ASSY LOCK NUT
$5.06