--- title: "Should I control assembly using torque or preload?" id: "9539" type: "faqs" slug: "should-i-control-assembly-using-torque-or-preload" published_at: "2026-05-15T15:29:57+00:00" modified_at: "2026-05-15T15:29:57+00:00" url: "https://bighead.co.uk/discover-bighead/news/faqs/should-i-control-assembly-using-torque-or-preload/" markdown_url: "https://bighead.co.uk/discover-bighead/news/faqs/should-i-control-assembly-using-torque-or-preload.md" excerpt: "It depends on what you need to protect or control. Use torque limits to protect the bigHead collar from thread strip, or the embedding/bonded interface from excessive torsional loading. Use preload limits to manage clamp load and compressive forces in..." taxonomy_faq_category: - "Assembly guidance" - "Controlling torque and preload for collar fasteners" --- [javascript:void(0)](javascript:void(0)) [javascript:void(0)](javascript:void(0)) ![bigHead white logo](https://bighead.co.uk/wp-content/themes/bighead_wordpress_theme/images/bighead-logo.svg)- [Home](https://bighead.co.uk/) - [Products](https://bighead.co.uk/bighead-products/) - [Bespoke](https://bighead.co.uk/bespoke/) - [Guidance](https://bighead.co.uk/guidance/) - [tecHub](https://bighead.co.uk/the-techub/) - [About bigHead](https://bighead.co.uk/about-bighead/) - [Contact](https://bighead.co.uk/get-in-touch/) [Home](https://bighead.co.uk/) › [FAQs](https://bighead.co.uk/discover-bighead/news/faqs/) › Should I control assembly using… ![Image](https://bighead.co.uk/wp-content/themes/bighead_wordpress_theme/images/news_header_01.png) # News & insight ![Image](https://bighead.co.uk/wp-content/themes/bighead_wordpress_theme/images/news_header_02.png) ### Should I control assembly using torque or preload? 15 May 2026 ![Image](https://bighead.co.uk/wp-content/themes/bighead_wordpress_theme/images/placeholder.png) Share[http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://bighead.co.uk/discover-bighead/news/faqs/should-i-control-assembly-using-torque-or-preload?faqs=should-i-control-assembly-using-torque-or-preload&post_type=faqs&name=should-i-control-assembly-using-torque-or-preload&title=Should%20I%20control%20assembly%20using%20torque%20or%20preload?](http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://bighead.co.uk/discover-bighead/news/faqs/should-i-control-assembly-using-torque-or-preload?faqs=should-i-control-assembly-using-torque-or-preload&post_type=faqs&name=should-i-control-assembly-using-torque-or-preload&title=Should%20I%20control%20assembly%20using%20torque%20or%20preload?) 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In some applications, both limits apply. The more restrictive limit should govern your assembly. Share[http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://bighead.co.uk/discover-bighead/news/faqs/should-i-control-assembly-using-torque-or-preload?faqs=should-i-control-assembly-using-torque-or-preload&post_type=faqs&name=should-i-control-assembly-using-torque-or-preload&title=Should%20I%20control%20assembly%20using%20torque%20or%20preload?](http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://bighead.co.uk/discover-bighead/news/faqs/should-i-control-assembly-using-torque-or-preload?faqs=should-i-control-assembly-using-torque-or-preload&post_type=faqs&name=should-i-control-assembly-using-torque-or-preload&title=Should%20I%20control%20assembly%20using%20torque%20or%20preload?) 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