Proper Torque Wrench Usage

[The Critic]

Skip to 6:00.

The 2nd demo he made reminds me of how many tire techs "torque" lug nuts. Instead of gradually turning the wrench until it clicks, they jump on it and/or make quick jerking motions. This demo illustrates how this can affect the final torque applied.

 

[haggler]

Those look alot like my precision instruments and CDI
Its easy to get carried away especially if you got downward force on it. If you got a digital torque adapter, put it on your regular torque wrench and you can get a feel for what NOT to do.

 

[Job]

He said now he will pay attention and got 56, being careful, went over the click. On the first time with screen showing he gradually went 50. Of course watching the readout makes a difference. Not sure what they are saying, clicker wrenches are too easy to use badly? He wasn’t exactly just jerking it over or otherwise doing it wrongly.

 

[The Critic]

He said now he will pay attention and got 56, being careful, went over the click. On the first time with screen showing he gradually went 50. Of course watching the readout makes a difference. Not sure what they are saying, clicker wrenches are too easy to use badly? He wasn’t exactly just jerking it over or otherwise doing it wrongly.

I'm sure they are trying to sell electronic torque wrenches, but at the same time, I think a lot of folks misuse click-style torque wrenches without actually realizing it.

 

[BlueOvalFitter]

I'm sure they are trying to sell electronic torque wrenches, but at the same time, I think a lot of folks misuse click-style torque wrenches without actually realizing it.

So that's why my torque wrench clicks. I thought it was ball bearings causing me to stop tightening a nut/bolt.

 

[bdcardinal]

Years ago when I went to training for Sears I got into a heated argument with the instructor that he was teaching improper techniques for using a torque wrench to tighten lugs. They wanted us to use a torque stick and then follow up with a wrench on the ground. However when he went to use the wrench it clicked immediately. I said that all he proved was that it was at least the spec or it could be massively over. He said that it clicked so therefore it was at the spec. I remember it was a spec of 100ft-lbs, so I took the wrench and cranked it up to 120 and to the surprise of no-one it clicked right away. I said the proper technique would require actual movement of the wrench before clicking and not an instant click. The instructor acted like I just shot his dog he was so mad, but couldn't do anything because I proved he was wrong.

 

[michaelluscher]

Years ago when I went to training for Sears I got into a heated argument with the instructor that he was teaching improper techniques for using a torque wrench to tighten lugs. They wanted us to use a torque stick and then follow up with a wrench on the ground. However when he went to use the wrench it clicked immediately. I said that all he proved was that it was at least the spec or it could be massively over. He said that it clicked so therefore it was at the spec. I remember it was a spec of 100ft-lbs, so I took the wrench and cranked it up to 120 and to the surprise of no-one it clicked right away. I said the proper technique would require actual movement of the wrench before clicking and not an instant click. The instructor acted like I just shot his dog he was so mad, but couldn't do anything because I proved he was wrong.

Ah yes, Tire College

Didn't Ron White have a bit about Sears auto and tires?

 

[bdcardinal]

Ah yes, Tire College

Didn't Ron White have a bit about Sears auto and tires?

He did. They were more concerned then about having the lugs tight than about being "correct" if you know what I mean.

 

[demarpaint]

Years ago when I went to training for Sears I got into a heated argument with the instructor that he was teaching improper techniques for using a torque wrench to tighten lugs. They wanted us to use a torque stick and then follow up with a wrench on the ground. However when he went to use the wrench it clicked immediately. I said that all he proved was that it was at least the spec or it could be massively over. He said that it clicked so therefore it was at the spec. I remember it was a spec of 100ft-lbs, so I took the wrench and cranked it up to 120 and to the surprise of no-one it clicked right away. I said the proper technique would require actual movement of the wrench before clicking and not an instant click. The instructor acted like I just shot his dog he was so mad, but couldn't do anything because I proved he was wrong.

What amazes me is they called him an "instructor" it scares me to think what else he might have been teaching people.

 

[Jetronic]

I'm sure they are trying to sell electronic torque wrenches, but at the same time, I think a lot of folks misuse click-style torque wrenches without actually realizing it.

I'm not a fan of letting just anyone use a torque wrench on everything. If something goes wrong but the torque wrench says it's good they won't recognise it. And there's loads that could go wrong.