$1400 Breaker Bar?

[Pig_Pen]

During the NASCAR race at Vegas a couple weeks ago the center-lock lug nut on Bubba Wallace’s car got stuck. A pit reporter tweeted a pic of the breaker bar they bent trying to remove it and it was a 3/4” Snap On digital torque wrench, $1,430 list price. They ended up having to cut it off.

I guess in the heat of battle you do what you have to do but it seems odd that they had that in the pit box but not a breaker bar.

 

[Hakeem]

A nascar race is its own thing where you do what whatever it takes, but I’ve seen people in non-critical settings using a torque wrench as a breaker bar plenty of times.

Never understood the thought process that leads people to abuse a precision instrument like this. The mere thought makes me wince. It’s like using a micrometer as a c-clamp.

 

[mike93lx]

A nascar race is its own thing where you do what whatever it takes, but I’ve seen people in non-critical settings using a torque wrench as a breaker bar plenty of times.

Never understood the thought process that leads people to abuse a precision instrument like this. The mere thought makes me wince. It’s like using a micrometer as a c-clamp.

The value of that torque wrench is immaterial compared to the work they were trying to do. I'm sure they are smart enough to not use it for that task in the shop.

Plus they'll get it replaced for free

 

[FSUwelder1212]

LMAO, they're sponsored why would they care about breaking a free torque wrench?

 

[scooby074]

 

[JeepYJ]

LMAO, they're sponsored why would they care about breaking a free torque wrench?

That’s why they cost the rest of us $1400!

Does NASCAR have rules on which tools can be in the pit area?

 

[bodydamage]

Did anyone watch the video? It looks like they used a Dewalt chainsaw to cut it off? Doesnt make sense to me, but that's what it looks like.

 

[mike93lx]

Did anyone watch the video? It looks like they used a Dewalt chainsaw to cut it off? Doesnt make sense to me, but that's what it looks like.

 

[bodydamage]

Nvm. Looks like a 60V demo saw. Never seen one of those before. Makes way more sense.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Did anyone watch the video? It looks like they used a Dewalt chainsaw to cut it off? Doesnt make sense to me, but that's what it looks like.

Dewalt rotary cut off saw would be my guess.


EDIT: others posted while I was watching.

 

[Hakeem]

The value of that torque wrench is immaterial compared to the work they were trying to do. I'm sure they are smart enough to not use it for that task in the shop.

Plus they'll get it replaced for free

Of course, a NASCAR race or similar setting is its own thing.

I’ve seen it done a few times when fooling around with friends n family. my father in law is an electrician, so ostensibly has some mechanical sense, but recently we were doing some work and I mentioned needing a long bar to actuate the serpentine belt tensioner .. he hands me an old USA craftsman clicker

i didn’t want to say anything but I didn’t want to directly take part in the abuse either, so I took the cowardly middle path:

“Honestly I’ve never done one of these before. Mind showing me how it’s done?”

 

[NUTTSGT]

That’s why they cost the rest of us $1400!

Does NASCAR have rules on which tools can be in the pit area?

Probably not, whatever they can fit into the pit side box.

I'd also guess that some tools will do double duty, torque wrench for breaker bar, sure not the right tool but in a pitstop, time is money. . . screwdriver=prybar, ratchet=hammer.

bing bang, in, out. left turn left turn checkered flag.

 

[mike93lx]

Of course, a NASCAR race or similar setting is its own thing.

I’ve seen it done a few times when fooling around with friends n family. my father in law is an electrician, so ostensibly has some mechanical sense, but recently we were doing some work and I mentioned needing a long bar to actuate the serpentine belt tensioner .. he hands me an old USA craftsman clicker

i didn’t want to say anything but I didn’t want to directly take part in the abuse either, so I took the cowardly middle path:

“Honestly I’ve never done one of these before. Mind showing me how it’s done?”

Meh. It will be just fine. That's not a task that is putting any excessive strain on the wrench

 

[MovingAlong]

Meh. It will be just fine. That's not a task that is putting any excessive strain on the wrench

Suppose as long as you're under the max torque rating (no clicking), what difference would it make compared to torqueing down a axle nut?

Just hadn't thought about it like that...

 

[darkzero]

I don't see what the problem is. They wanted to see how much torque it takes to remove the nut. Looks like they need a bigger torque wrench for next time.

 

[mike93lx]

I don't see what the problem is. They wanted to see how much torque it takes to remove the nut. Looks like they need a bigger torque wrench for next time.

Its all because the Gorilla tightened down the damn lugs with an impact.

Crappy quick lube joints...

 

[cherrybomb]

As we all know,fasteners sometimes mess up at the most inopportune time.Then you have to figure out something.The difference is the Nascar boys have the clock ticking

 

[Hohn]

Did anyone watch the video? It looks like they used a Dewalt chainsaw to cut it off? Doesnt make sense to me, but that's what it looks like.

Somebody get that guy an angle grinder or some kind of real tool.

 

[dchawk81]

I thought their truck guy will warranty it anyways.

 

[Wamsutta]

I can't help but feel a little bit angry when I look at that picture.

 

[mike93lx]

I can't help but feel a little bit angry when I look at that picture.

Its just a tool

 

[Wamsutta]

Its just a tool

It's a tool that somebody somewhere wishes they had but can't afford.

 

[dchawk81]

It's a tool that somebody somewhere wishes they had but can't afford.

Are you mad at them for having nice shiny Peterbilt hoods too?

 

[Wamsutta]

Are you mad at them for having nice shiny Peterbilt hoods too?

No, I'm mad at them for not giving a damn. I seriously wish that Snap-on would refuse to warranty that torque wrench.

 

[mike93lx]

It's a tool that somebody somewhere wishes they had but can't afford.

Lol. It's not some ultra rare, limited edition collectable and it getting destroyed impacts no one outside or that team and snap on

 

[dchawk81]

No, I'm mad at them for not giving a damn. I seriously wish that Snap-on would refuse to warranty that torque wrench.

Maybe they did refuse to warranty it. But Snap-on also spends way more than a torque wrench to be a sponsor so it's kind of moot.

Hell the tool was probably given to them.

 

[Wamsutta]

Maybe they did refuse to warranty it. But Snap-on also spends way more than a torque wrench to be a sponsor so it's kind of moot.

Hell the tool was probably given to them.

Whoever abused that torque wrench, should have the full cost deducted out of their paycheck.

 

[dchawk81]

Whoever abused that torque wrench, should have the full cost deducted out of their paycheck.

Why? It was in service to the team. The team isn't gonna GAF about a free tool.

 

[Wamsutta]

Why? It was in service to the team. The team isn't gonna GAF about a free tool.

Why? Because if you or I was to abuse a torque wrench like that, we'd have to eat it.

 

[dchawk81]

Why? Because if you or I was to abuse a torque wrench like that, we'd have to eat it.

We're not time sensitive with bigger things on the line.

 

[dchawk81]

Why? Because if you or I was to abuse a torque wrench like that, we'd have to eat it.

Next you're gonna tell me the drivers need to be more careful and race gingerly because the cars are expensive.

 

[Wamsutta]

Next you're gonna tell me the drivers need to be more careful and race gingerly because the cars are expensive.

It's not fair to the rest of us that has to take good care of our tools and use them correctly in order to be covered under warranty.

 

[SBAG]

Who the fck still watches NASCAR? I’d rather shop at a Target. And that ain’t happening.

 

[zendriver]

I’m surprised they didn’t grab a harbor freight tool to abuse in those situations


That’s what everybody else does, then complains how it failed

 

[dchawk81]

I’m surprised they didn’t grab a harbor freight tool to abuse in those situations


That’s what everybody else does, then complains how it failed

I almost lifted my semi truck off its side with a 1/2" HF breaker bar.

I need a new breaker bar.

 

[dchawk81]

It's not fair to the rest of us that has to take good care of our tools and use them correctly in order to be covered under warranty.

I mean they also waste gas. And tires.

 

[Wamsutta]

I mean they also waste gas. And tires.

I don't care what they do to their cars, but what they did to that torque wrench is just morally wrong.

 

[shakenfake]

@Wamsutta God you are a whiner...

I would think that Nascar teams try and cut down on the tools they have in the pit, if something can double up as another tool they use it. Or it is a "Grab something to get this off now!" and this was the first thing on hand. This is a massively high stress environment not your lackadaisical day at work.

 

[dchawk81]

I don't care what they do to their cars, but what they did to that torque wrench is just morally wrong.

Lots of people can't afford a car, or have to take care of the one they have.

You're just getting emotionally attached to a tool for some reason.

 

[dchawk81]

Let's also not forget it's really a $300 torque wrench with an $1100 markup.