From: Ray O on

"hls" <hls(a)nospam.nix> wrote in message
news:A4KPi.2839$Pv2.2662(a)newssvr23.news.prodigy.net...
>
> "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
> news:a-6dneUmcIhMQpPanZ2dnUVZ_uzinZ2d(a)comcast.com...
>>
>> "Built_Well" <Built_Well_Toyota(a)hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1192120570.815008.53990(a)o80g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>>>
>>> Hls wrote:
>>>
>> <snipped>
>>>> Some impact wrenches can put up a heck of a lot more than 100 lb-ft.
>>>> I have seen some that can literally shear off a lug bolt.
>>
>> There are lots of automotive impact guns that put out over 500
>> foot-pounds.
>>
>>>>
>>>> TorqStix dont always solve the problem either. I had two sets of
>>>> front rotors warped at Discount Tire with their damn torque sticks.
>>>
>>
>> Torque Stix usually work well, it's the user that do not always work
>> well. If the front rotors were warped witth Torque Stix on the impact
>> gun, the user either didn't read, couldn't comprehend, or ignored the
>> directions that came with them. You have to release the trigger when the
>> lug nut stops rotating because if you keep hammering, they will still
>> allow the lug nuts to become over-tightened.
>
> That could well be the problem, Ray. Tools, in the hands of those who
> dont
> know how to use them, or who refuse to use them as they were designed to
> be
> used, can be weapons.
>
> We have a local tire company which still puts on wheels with impact
> wrenches
> with no Torque Stix. They dont even have a torque wrench in the house.
> When
> I am forced to use them, I take my own torque wrench and insist that they
> use it.
There are calibrated impact guns that put out consistent torque. I have
never seen on in an auto shop, probably because they are expensive and are
generally good for a limited torque range. They are primarily used in
production lines where consistent torque has to be applied all day and there
is no call for the huge torque that service impact guns can produce. I have
one and set it so it just seats the lug nut, then I lower the car and finish
with a torque wrench, which usually takes about a quarter turn. On the
negative side, that fancy impact gun doesn't have the oomph to loosen really
stuck bolts.

The people who work on cars at tire companies and quick lube places
generally don't invest a lot of money in tools, probably because they don't
make a lot of money, and they don't make a lot of money because they don't
have a lot of skills. I have little faith in the abilities of the people
who work in those places so I avoid them.

I have been getting batteries and tires at Sears because their techs get a
very good deal on Craftsman tools and so at least they have what they need
to do the job correctly. The Sears Auto Center near my house always
installs wheels with a torque wrench and they make a note on the customer's
receipt that wheel torque should be re-checked after 100 miles. I did
re-check the torque once, and it was right on.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)


From: Ray O on

"Built_Well" <Built_Well_Toyota(a)hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1192210129.598510.305010(a)e9g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>
> Ray O wrote:
>> [The tech has] to release the trigger when the lug nut stops
>> rotating because if you keep hammering, they will still allow
>> the lug nuts to become over-tightened.
> ========
>
> That's another good reason for the techs to use torque wrenches
> instead of impact guns with torque sticks.
>
> The torque wrench I saw at O'Reilly Auto Parts clicks when
> the proper torque has been reached. You just set it to 76
> foot-pounds, and the wrench clicks when 76 is reached. Wonderful. No
> guessing.
>

Did you know that it is possible to over-tighten a nut or bolt with a
properly set torque wrench? I see it happen quite often.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)


From: Steve W. on
Ray O wrote:
> "Built_Well" <Built_Well_Toyota(a)hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1192210129.598510.305010(a)e9g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>> Ray O wrote:
>>> [The tech has] to release the trigger when the lug nut stops
>>> rotating because if you keep hammering, they will still allow
>>> the lug nuts to become over-tightened.
>> ========
>>
>> That's another good reason for the techs to use torque wrenches
>> instead of impact guns with torque sticks.
>>
>> The torque wrench I saw at O'Reilly Auto Parts clicks when
>> the proper torque has been reached. You just set it to 76
>> foot-pounds, and the wrench clicks when 76 is reached. Wonderful. No
>> guessing.
>>
>
> Did you know that it is possible to over-tighten a nut or bolt with a
> properly set torque wrench? I see it happen quite often.

Very easy if you don't stop at the click or the correct number on a dial
type. Also can happen if you oil a stud or bolt when the torque calls
for a dry interface. The opposite can also happen, If the spec calls for
oiled surfaces and you torque them dry the torque will be lower than spec.


--
Steve W.
Near Cooperstown, New York
NRA Member
Pacifism - The theory that if they'd fed
Jeffrey Dahmer enough human flesh,
he'd have become a vegan.
From: Built_Well on

Ray O wrote:

> The Sears Auto Center near my house always
> installs wheels with a torque wrench and they make a note on the customer's
> receipt that wheel torque should be re-checked after 100 miles. I did
> re-check the torque once, and it was right on.
========

Yeah, I passed by Sears and Walmart today. Both auto centers use torque
wrenches. I saw personnel at both places using them.

I think I'll pass on the $25 torque wrenches at
O'Reilly and AutoZone, and either buy the $80
Craftsman torque wrench at Sears (on sale right
now until Oct. 20th for $60), or buy the
Kobalt torque wrench at Lowe's for $90 (no sale
right now).

Both are made in the U.S.A., though there are
other Kobalt products made in China. The
Craftsman's case and packaging were made in
Mexico, but the wrench itself was made in
the U.S.

Looks like Danaher made the Kobalt.

Both tighten to a maximum of 150 foot-pounds,
and are 1/2 inch.

There's an electronic Craftsman torque wrench
for $230 (not on sale) that tightens to 250
foot-pounds, and has an accuracy
of +/- 3 percent CW, whatever that means. It
has a digital display, but $230 is too costly
for me.

I think I'll buy that $80 Craftsman on sale for
$60 until next Saturday. Do you think it will
be really that more accurate than the $25 AutoZone
and O'Reilly torque wrenches? They all look
similar with only slight differences.
From: Ray O on

"Built_Well" <built_well_toyota(a)hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:471045e3$0$68485$892e0abb(a)auth.newsreader.octanews.com...
>
> Ray O wrote:
>
>> The Sears Auto Center near my house always installs wheels with a torque
>> wrench and they make a note on the customer's receipt that wheel torque
>> should be re-checked after 100 miles. I did re-check the torque once,
>> and it was right on.
> ========
>
> Yeah, I passed by Sears and Walmart today. Both auto centers use torque
> wrenches. I saw personnel at both places using them.
>
> I think I'll pass on the $25 torque wrenches at
> O'Reilly and AutoZone, and either buy the $80
> Craftsman torque wrench at Sears (on sale right
> now until Oct. 20th for $60), or buy the
> Kobalt torque wrench at Lowe's for $90 (no sale
> right now).
>
> Both are made in the U.S.A., though there are
> other Kobalt products made in China. The
> Craftsman's case and packaging were made in
> Mexico, but the wrench itself was made in
> the U.S.
>
> Looks like Danaher made the Kobalt.
>
> Both tighten to a maximum of 150 foot-pounds,
> and are 1/2 inch.
>
> There's an electronic Craftsman torque wrench
> for $230 (not on sale) that tightens to 250
> foot-pounds, and has an accuracy
> of +/- 3 percent CW, whatever that means. It
> has a digital display, but $230 is too costly
> for me.
>
> I think I'll buy that $80 Craftsman on sale for
> $60 until next Saturday. Do you think it will
> be really that more accurate than the $25 AutoZone
> and O'Reilly torque wrenches? They all look
> similar with only slight differences.

The $80 Craftsman is probably more accurate than the $25 Autozone and
O'Reilly ones, but if all you are going to do is tighten lug nuts, the cheap
ones should be good enough.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)


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