the rods become distorted when you push the old bolts out and put the new bolts in. I've tried every trick in the book to try to find shortcuts around this when customers have had a tight budget, and it literally cannot be done without consequences.
Agree. Best plan is a proper reconditioning with new bolts for the reasons you state.
However, I have installed new bolts without resizing on more than one occasion without failure. I do not recommend this but it can be done. Not good practice especially if you are going to run hard.
Snowman- I have twisted off 11/32 rod bolts too. I may have seen the same erroneous spec! After that experience I ALWAYS replace factory rod bolts.
