Just an observation on "AU COUPLE ET À L'ANGLE". Do you know what this angle relates to?

In the absence of other info, I assume it is one of the two ways of tighting bolts etc. to a stipulated force. One is the torque method, using a measuring device; the other is the angle method, where the bolt etc. is tightened finger-tight, then tightened the stipulated number of turns, hence "angle".

If this is indeed what is meant, I think it should be "AU COUPLE ***OU*** À L'ANGLE ". Theoretically a given torque should correspond to a given angle, but that's only theory; I wouldn't want to be the person trying to get a bolt to the stipulated torque AND to the stipulated angle!

French term (edited): serrage au couple et à l'angle

Would probably be a better way of expressing it in the sentence as given

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Note added at 17 hrs (2007-06-25 07:30:04 GMT)
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On this torque vs angle business: I understand perfectly what Bourth and DG are suggesting, but I can't help feeling that we shouldtry to interpret it from the assumption that the FR is correct in the first place.

Suppose for examply they meant 'torque to X Nm, and then tighten just enough more to bring the holes in line so the nuts can be wired for security' ... any one of a number of similar possibilities springs to mind...