DIYbanter - View Single Post - OT - Full Size Spare

Larry W[_3_]

In article ,
wrote:
On Tue, 31 Dec 2013 23:27:54 +0000 (UTC),
(Larry W) wrote:

In article ,
DerbyDad03 wrote:
...snipped...
When I recently had the tires replaced on my daughter's car, I was
concerned that they would be too tight because of the length of time the
installer spent with the air powered impact wrench on each wheel. I decided
to check a couple when I got home and they felt just right. Seems like they
had the torque setting correct, or close enough. Maybe the guy just liked
the sound of the impact wrench.

A simple device commonly called a "torque stick" has become more popular
in recent years, and it's a good thing, too. Looks like a short extension
that goes between the impact wrench and the socket, but it's made out
of just the right thickness and grade of steel to limit the amount of
torque applied to the lug nuts. They come in sets that cover the common
lug nut sizes and torque ranges. They're cheap and effective and really
prevent overtorquing lug nuts. We've bought them for all the techs at my
shop and insist that they use them.
Insisting they use the RIGHT one is the trick!!! and it is still
possible to overtorque with the torque stick - they just have to be a
bit stupider and try a bit harder.

Actually, I made a mistake in my first description. The torque sticks
have an integral socket, and so will only fit on that size lug nut.
That further reduces the possibility of selecting the wrong one.

--
There are no stupid questions, but there are lots of stupid answers.

Larry W. - Baltimore Maryland - lwasserm(a)sdf. lonestar. org