BocaC6

+1

just use more loctite

CO Lightfoot

Good info!

But I think some common sense also goes a long way.

For instance, a little overtightening of the oil filter & drain plug (22 & 18 lb ft) seems like a good precaution to me.

glenB

It really depends on how much a$$ you have .....

Like dem Vettes

It is very important for wheels because they need to be torqued evenly to avoid warping the rotors. It is impossible to torque evenly without a torque wrench.

glenB

Can you use a torque stick for the wheels ?

Gearhead Jim

Most tire shops seems to do it that way.
I want my cars hand-torqued but there don't seem to be a lot of problems on tin cars with using the sticks if they are used correctly.

glenB

How do you know it's right?

Impact guns today can put out alot more torque than just a few years ago.

Knob Jockey

I too was surprised that the list didn't include specs for the lug nuts.

But as was posted earlier, and everthing I've read indicates 100 ft/lbs.

Just an FYI- I have a Torque Screwdriver that's used for electrical connections and the damn thing cost's nearly as much as a full size wrench.

But sometimes you've got to follow the 'book' if for no other reason than covering your a$$.

The Clevite Kid

I use a 95 ft-lb torque stick with my I-R Thundergun, and follow up with the calibrated torque wrench - always takes another 1/16th of a revolution to reach 100 ft-lb. So I agree, the torque stick is fine if you know what you are doing with it.

P.E.'s in both Mechanical AND Metallurgical Engineering.

Gearhead Jim

I don't know that it's right with a stick, which is why I said I want my cars hand-torqued.
But as stated, I haven't heard of many problems when sticks are used.

glenB

What's the point of using a torque stick if you go over the lug nuts again, why don't you just calibrate your impact and be done?

glenB

Just playing the devils advocate so maybe others may learn, not trying to bust your chops.

When doing brakes, I always torque the wheels on by hand. Any other time I use a tire gun or a torque stick.

AORoads

while I haven't spoken to every pro user of torque sticks, many that I've spoken with say they break. maybe the impact wrenches are set too high or what, but that's what I've heard from a few more than a few. could be improper use tho.

glenB

I've not seen one break myself, but I guess if they are using a big enough gun then it could. I have seen lug nuts on so tight that a 3/4" gun had to be used to break them loose, and that's just stupid on the installers part to have them so tight.

If you calibrate the gun then you shouldn't be breaking the sticks. If the gun is not calibrated, then you could be -/+ the specs and then what's the point of using the sticks .....

AORoads

I don't disagree, glen. I do think, after looking at many shops (sometimes, I just stop to "look in" and see what's up), they just don't care about their impact tools all that much. I was watching one shop recently that I stopped using too many years ago on a Sat.morning because I was next door. It was a grim sight with literally a dozen cars indoors, dim light, impact wrenches and lines all over the place and almost no torque sticks nearby. A couple of the guys were using them but most wheels were going on without. It was a large seller of tires, and they couldn't move them out fast enough. Funny thing is, they used to be on one site's approved list of installers for quite some time.

michaelinmech

But I think some common sense also goes a long way.

For instance, a little overtightening of the oil filter & drain plug (22 & 18 lb ft) seems like a good precaution to me.[/QUOTE]


Together with what color loctite . . . .

NARIMAN

i have the torque wrench and will double check all the specs
thanks

glenB

Together with what color loctite . . . . [/QUOTE]

Don't know that I would over tighten the drain plug, stripped threads and all, but if you do, be sure to use Red Loctite on the bolt