torque stick opinions

[scott37300]

Just wondering how many of you pros use them for putting wheels on? Any opinions on how good they are? I have a friend that wants to sell me a set for a good price and just wondering if they would be nice to have around or not. I won't be using them a lot but might be nice for putting on tires if they work good.

 

[midnightcruise]

I purchased a set from HF and been using them 3-4 times a month for the last 3 years. I have checked them after every few jobs, and they have been spot on! I should have looked into the a long time ago. They have saved me a lot of time.

Harbor Freight - Pittsburgh 92890

I have the older set (used to be in a read case)... not sure if they are still as good... but they were made by Pittsburgh

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

I use the torque wrench

 

[1969]

I use a torque wrench also.PI split beam.

 

[Gary S]

They seem to work well. I've had some tire shops use them when installing new tires for me, and the wheels seem to be torqued correctly.
I don't own any because I've been hand tightening my wheels "by feel" for 40 years and it has always worked perfectly so I'm too old to change now.

 

[chevy302dz]

They are plenty accurate for tire changes (though I wouldn't use a impact on really high end wheels)

 

[caper]

torque sticks

 

[King Bojack]

I've heard if you use them routinely after a few months they will get off spec and require disposal since you supposedly cannot recalibrate them. Any one know if this is true?

 

[rayzor32]

dont like them had a problem with them leaving wheels loose, I know how to torque right with my impact gun then we drive them around the block and retorque with a torque wrench.

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

I thought about using them once..for like 0.005 sec.

 

[scott37300]

Seems like some strong opinions against them, but only one person said why they didn't like them. Is it just because you don't trust the accuracy of them? Any more bad experiences with them? Are some of you just used to using torque wrench so prefere that over these?

Not trying to start any wars, just trying to learn about new tools and see if it would be worth getting a set or not.

 

[Packard V8]

Seems like some strong opinions against them, but only one person said why they didn't like them.

Seems pretty simple - using a maybe tool on the Jesus nuts? When you see/hear the right reading on a calibrated torque wrench, the wheels aren't going to fall off.

Also, one might question if the torque sticks are so wonderful, why is the friend selling them at a good price?

jack vines

 

[caper]

I had a wheel fall off from a bad torque stick.Took the fender off a new Lincoln.Woman driving wasn't impressed,nor the dealership owner.Haven't used one since.Torque wrench only takes a minute and then you know it's right.

 

[Stick]

They won't replace a torque wrench, but for wheels they are fine. You do need to check them against a torque wench the first time you use them though, I have to turn down my impact wrench to get accurate values.

 

[scott37300]

Well we got some OKs and some more not so goods. I agree that a torque wrench is the only way to be sure all the lugs are correctly torqued.

The reason the friend is getting rid of these is he doesn't work in a shop anymore and think he needs money. I"m not positive of the brand but don't think they are HF or other low quality.

I think I am going to get them and do some testing for myself. I will use them and then double check the lugs to see if they are close.

I agree that the lugs aren't something you want to chance being right. But I have also put tires on many times with only a 1/2" ratchet in my younger days with no problems. Not saying that it was the right way, maybe I just got lucky. Guess I would think the torque sticks would be pretty close if used correctly. I wouldn't think they would be sold anymore if there was a bunch of cases of tires coming off. I would think that would be something that would cause them to be pulled off the market.

 

[midnightcruise]

They work every time for me... never (in 100's of tire changes) have I had one loose nut.

I have seen torque sticks that don't work.... only when you are running low on air pressure and the impact is not hammering properly or if the torque stick had been abused.

The torque stick is just a piece of spring steel designed to flex at a specific torque... If using an impact on a springy object capable of absorbing energy, the impulse (hammering) will simply be absorbed, and virtually no torque will ever be applied. The torque stick acts like an extension till the designed torque is reached, then it becomes springy.

Note: They can drift if misused (just like a torque wrench)! DO NOT USE A TORQUE STICK AS AN EXTENSION!

Another note: they can produce +5 ft/lbs over spec at extremely cold temperatures (below freezing).

Sorry for all the rambling.... but I feel they have a bad name due to misuse and lack of available knowledge. I too used to think they were just a gimmick, but after reading up on them and experimenting a lot, they have a permanent home in my toolbox!

 

[daveblank]

Whan I was a tech, I used them for years without a problem. I even used one the other day on the wifes wheels.

 

[DiscoBerry]

I use a torque stick when the cars in the air then lower it and check with the torque wrench.

 

[Ford12508]

Ask your buddy to test them out first, loosen all the lugs on a single wheel, tighten them with the torque stick, and then check with a torque wrench and see if it is in good shape, and if it works good enough for you.

 

[joeswamp]

Personally I think torque sticks are great if you use one that's like 2/3 the torque rating, then do final tightening with a torque wrench. Speed and accuracy.

 

[sberry]

I agree that the lugs aren't something you want to chance being right. But I have also put tires on many times with only a 1/2" ratchet in my younger days with no problems. Not saying that it was the right way, maybe I just got lucky. Guess I would think the torque sticks would be pretty close if used correctly. I wouldn't think they would be sold anymore if there was a bunch of cases of tires coming off. I would think that would be something that would cause them to be pulled off the market.

Go to the average tire store, one pass around with an air gun with dry threads. Or half the world uses a 4 way hand wrench.

 

[sberry]

We lube the threads with spray, set gun on proper setting and do a couple passes while watching the socket rotation on the final pass. I don't like battery or electric impacts for wheel work, cant feather the trigger. I have checked a lot of them with a torque wrench, anymore I can get them so close it isn't worth the effort. Main concern is not to seize them.

 

[Johnny chaos]

In the shop I work in we did some testing (because we were bored, not scientifically) on our torque sticks and found there were allot of factors that would change the end result. If several people were using air at the same time that would change the final torque number. Different guns, different final torque number. I think a torque wrench is a much better solution........That being said, if it's a large shop and there is a "shop" torque wrench that doesn't work well either because no one seems to take care of it. Torque sticks are a better band aid in situations where each tech doesn't have their own torque wrench; for example a large chain tire store with inexperienced techs who are constantly being rushed.

 

[CarCrafter]

They are GREAT, when they work as they are designed. They are worthless when you can't trust them any longer because a wheel came loose or fell off. They don't give you any warning when they fail. I've been there and done that and now I just grab the torque wrench for peace of mind every time.

 

[CarCrafter]

I wouldn't think they would be sold anymore if there was a bunch of cases of tires coming off. I wouldth think that would be something that would cause them to be pulled off the market.

You should double check, EVERY time and EVERY lug nut. That being the case, why bother using them at all if you had to double check EVERY time. FLM used to supply dealer techs with torque-sticks back when they were the new fad so I still have some. These weren't cheap Chinese imports either and I too double checked against my torque wrench before to compare their accuracy. I thought they were safe until I got egg on my face a few months back. A customer was driving home and his Explorer made a loud racket and he found his wheel was loose. He had to pull over to tighten it and then called me when he got home. I felt so embarrassed I drove 30 minutes out there to hand torque everything. Then I showed him the stupid torque stick I used. He said understood and wasn't upset , but to this day I have yet to hear back from the guy again. There was no damage done, except for his trust and my reputation. So you just have to ask yourself, is it worth the minute or two you saved trusting that torque-stick. For me, I'd just as soon never use them again. My $.02

 

[scott37300]

Man this is really a love or hate tool!!!

Well I'm not in this to make money, just my own stuff so I guess I will stick with the torque wrench since the time saved probably wouldn't be worth taking a chance for me.

One thing I don't understand is wouldn't there be lots of lawsuits against the makers of these if they have a tendency to not work and cause tires to come off?

Also just because I"m curious how do these wear out? Is it just because after "springing" the spring steel so many times it gets more springy and doesn't allow proper torque?

Thanks for all the good advice everyone.

 

[caper]

For you guys checking them with a torque wrench I think you need to modify your approach.Most replies I've seen say they tighten them with the stick,drop the car and check with the wrench.That's ok for making sure they're tight enough but what about too tight?You should tighten the lugs with a torque wrench and then hit them with the torque stick and see if they move.Too tight causes lots of problems as well.Ever seen a heavy truck mecanic use a torque stick?I haven't though I have seen the sticks,they are available.Nope,every heavy truck guy I know checks the ten lugnuts on every truck wheel to 500ft/lbs by hand with the torque wrench.Why?There are big repercussions when a truck has a wheel come off and companies don't risk their business to torque sticks.Every fleet I have ever worked on and every truck dealership I worked at had a strict torque wrench,road test,retorque policy to cover their *** in case of a wheel falling off.