Torque Sticks, Extension?

[onecheck]

I was thinking about buying torque sticks to torque my wheels. I will be doing a lot of tire rotations and balancing every day at work. I friend of mine says you don’t have to spend a lot of money on torque sticks. I was thinking about getting the ATD ones listed below $55.97. What would you recommend? Any feedback on the set you use everyday?

http://www.toolrage.com/prodView.asp?sku=ATD-4375

 

[35mastr]

I would get the ones that already have the sockets already on them.

 

[daveblank]

I don't like the style with the sockets already on them. Why? Because you'll have to buy more. You'll need different sizes in each torque range. Also, on many modern cars the lug nuts are recessed. Some wheels have a tight fit & the torque stick socket won't fit where a thin wall flip socket will. They really can't be used for removal, so, additional sockets will still be needed.

My advice. Get the set you have pictured & a good set of thin wall flip sockets & you're good to go. You'll save room in your tool box for more tools & save money at the same time.

 

[caper]

After losing a wheel as a result of torque sticks I wouldn't recommend any version anymore.Take 2min and use a torque wrench,the life you save may be yours or someone you know.

 

[Cutch]

Sorry for my ignorance...but how do these work?

 

[peter_x]

Sorry for my ignorance...but how do these work?

They are made from spring steel. After a certain torque, they simply flex and rebound in the brief period between impacts. Still, you have to have your gun at an appropriate setting... I think like 375 ft-lbs, not sure how exact that has to be.

How did you lose that wheel, caper?

 

[paranoid56]

well, i know when i see the wheel guys about to use those on mine i yell at them and make them use a proper tq wrench. LOL take the extra 2 min and do it right. when a customer sees you taking the extra time to do it right it makes it worth it.

 

[caper]

They are made from spring steel. After a certain torque, they simply flex and rebound in the brief period between impacts. Still, you have to have your gun at an appropriate setting... I think like 375 ft-lbs, not sure how exact that has to be.

How did you lose that wheel, caper?

Was using torque sticks ,as was the policy at that shop,tightened up the wheel the same as any other wheel but a couple hours later the lincoln came back on a hook.No indication as to what happened until I checked the torque on the other wheels with a dial torque wrench and found them all uneven.Ranging from 75 to 110 ftlbs.Was using a 100lb stick.Haven't used one since.Policy or not they can let me use a torque wrench or I can find another job.Too many variables with sticks,who beat on it last,air pressure @the line,gun malfunction,stick malfunction.Luckily nobody was hurt but it someone can get killed pretty quick when they only have three wheels on a highway.

 

[KenS]

I was getting tires changed at a Sam's Club about a month ago and noticed some instructions posted on the wall in the work bay for the tire techs. The were instructed to:

[1.] Look up the proper lug nut torque spec for the vehicle they were working on.
[2.] Do an initial tightening with an impact wrench and torque stick one size smaller than the manufacturer's recommended torque.
[3.] Bring the lug nut to final spec with a manual torque wrench.

I have to say that that appears to be a very reasonable trade-off between speed and accuracy.

Shortly after that, I had to pull a wheel to check the rear brakes, and noticed that the Sam's tech had used a dab of anti-seize compound on each lug, and the lug nut torque was right on spec. Also, the tires that came off had consistently had slow leaks, but the Sam's mounting job has corrected that with the new Michelin X's.

 

[nate379]

When I worked at a tire shop we had to torque after using the torque stick and almost always the torque stick was way off. I'd use them as to not overtighten a lug but no way as a way to actually torque something.