torque sticks

[fordbroncodave]

where is the best place to get a 19mm grey torque stick? best price after shipping?

who needs a torque wrench when you can use one of these if you do underbody work?

i'd get one from snap on but they don't warranty them so i figure i could get one anywhere and its probably the same

 

[48548]

Genius are the ones I really like and they have a lifetime warranty.

 

[arizonaadam]

Costco is selling them right now. Costco is as good as a lifetime warranty.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

 

[daveblank]

Get the ones that have the drive end on them. That way you're not limited to it only being used for 19mm applications.

 

[48548]

This is the one set I bought and I also got the thin walled sockets as well.

http://www.torquestick.com/cart/10-...-SET-65-75-80-90-100-110-120-130-140-150.html


*OUR BEST SELLER!*
Set will cover most foreign and domestic cars/light trucks.

STICKS INCLUDED:
65 ft/lb(90 Nm)-Green
75 ft/lb(100 Nm)-Black
80 ft/lb(110 Nm)-Yellow
90 ft/lb(120 Nm)-Red
100 ft/lb(135 Nm)-Blue
110 ft/lb(150 Nm)-Orange
120 ft/lb(160 Nm)-Grey
130 ft/lb(175 Nm)-Maroon
140 ft/lb(190 Nm)-White
150 ft/lb(200 Nm)-Light Blue
(ALL 7" STICKS)

All sticks are: (1/2" drive female-(gun end), 1/2" drive male (lug nut socket end)

Sticks are color coded and engraved with ft/lb and Nm settings for quick reference.

Once the correct torque has been reached; The shaft will flex in sync with the blows of the impact gun and bleed off torque.

Torque Sticks are accurate to within +/- 3% when used with a 375-400ft/lb impact gun.

Made of ultra high quality Chrome Vanadium Steel.

*PREMIUM Carry case included. Top of case can be removed to convert to a tool chest TRAY. [full case pictured]

LIFETIME WARRANTY Against breakage and manufacturer defects!

Used by AUTO and TIRE SERVICE Professionals around the world.

Manufacturer: Genius Tools

*TOTAL SHIPPING CHARGE FOR (US 48 STATES) =$7.95
SKU TO-410EXT
Weight 10.00 lbs

Our price: $138.95

 

[Teken]

Costco is selling them right now. Costco is as good as a lifetime warranty.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

Not in a million years would I have guessed Costco was selling those, many thanks I will pick one of these sets for my home set up.

 

[caper]

You couldn't pay me enough to use a torque stick from any manufacturer.After losing a wheel to a malfunctioning stick I swore to never use one again.Use a torque wrench,the life you save may be your own,or your wifes,or your kids,or your moms.

 

[Teken]

You couldn't pay me enough to use a torque stick from any manufacturer.After losing a wheel to a malfunctioning stick I swore to never use one again.Use a torque wrench,the life you save may be your own,or your wifes,or your kids,or your moms.

You really have had bad experiences with them? The one's we have used in the shop have served me well for almost 12 years with no fault.

What have you seen happen?

 

[mkdive]

+1 on using a torqe wrench. Cant see the benefits of a torque stick over a good torque wrench.

 

[mattwgrizwald]

It is First student policy at the Garage that torque sticks are not be used for final torque on all buses . A torque is used but then doubled checked with a torque wrench . A torque stick does get them close but I trust my torque wrench alot better especially at 475 ft #

 

[Ser50]

youre not asking for our opinions.
and i was taught to not say anything if you... you get it.

****, i think this implies my feelings.

 

[caper]

You really have had bad experiences with them? The one's we have used in the shop have served me well for almost 12 years with no fault.

What have you seen happen?

When working at a Ford dealership we were required to use torque sticks.I did a Lincoln one day and it came back on a tow truck a few hours later with no front wheel and no front fender.Luckily nobody was hurt but when I checked the rest of the nuts with a torque wrench several of the nuts were way under torqued.I have used a torque wrench on every wheel since.It only takes an extra minute and my piece of mind is priceless.There are too many variables with torque sticks.If your air gun is acting up or your air pressure is low or high it affects the torque applied to the nut.Some guns are more powerful than others and this will also affect the applied torque.Old torque sticks are notoriously inaccurate.The one I was using was a shop stick,Snap on,less than a year old.If you are using sticks it would be a good idea to check the torque with a torque wrench a couple times a week.They can go bad pretty quick.Tire shops have retorque requirements for a reason.

 

[Teken]

When working at a Ford dealership we were required to use torque sticks.I did a Lincoln one day and it came back on a tow truck a few hours later with no front wheel and no front fender.Luckily nobody was hurt but when I checked the rest of the nuts with a torque wrench several of the nuts were way under torqued.I have used a torque wrench on every wheel since.It only takes an extra minute and my piece of mind is priceless.There are too many variables with torque sticks.If your air gun is acting up or your air pressure is low or high it affects the torque applied to the nut.Some guns are more powerful than others and this will also affect the applied torque.Old torque sticks are notoriously inaccurate.The one I was using was a shop stick,Snap on,less than a year old.If you are using sticks it would be a good idea to check the torque with a torque wrench a couple times a week.They can go bad pretty quick.Tire shops have retorque requirements for a reason.

Hrmmmmmm, I know the guys use them in the shop and allot of them don't double check with a torque wrench. Some of the other monkeys even just use the impact gun and that's it!

I personally haven't used them on anything that has wheels on them . . . Most of them were bolts on frames etc . . . But, 9x out of 10 a torque wrench had to be used so we met complience and the unit could be validated and shipped out by the inspector . . .

Good feed-back, thanks . . .

 

[fordbroncodave]

i was basically looking for a 19mm but a 7/8 and a 13/16 is well taken too. I want the ones with the socket attached to the end already.

these things work perfectly fine. torque wrenches take way too long for the same results, not to mention the additional labor.

 

[MarcSeattle]

You couldn't pay me enough to use a torque stick from any manufacturer.After losing a wheel to a malfunctioning stick I swore to never use one again.Use a torque wrench,the life you save may be your own,or your wifes,or your kids,or your moms.

+1 Has anyone tested torque sticks to see if they are accurate in real-life situations?

The times I've sent my car out for work that I don't want to do, I've never, ever seen the lug nuts torqued correctly. I always figured it was some NASCAR pit crew wannabe using an impact wrench and a torque stick. Does it really take that long to do it right? I'll pay for the extra two minutes for christsakes...

 

[mkdive]

these things work perfectly fine. torque wrenches take way too long for the same results, not to mention the additional labor.

WTF you work in a Indy pit crew???....."torque wrenches take too long"?!?!?!

First off its not the same results. Second, didn't you just read a couple posts up about a freaking tire falling off a car? That doesn't get you thinking a little bit about making sure fasteners are torqued properly?

That's just a lazy attitude or you flat don't care....Someday that thinking WILL hurt someone.

 

[Fedwrench]

You really have had bad experiences with them? The one's we have used in the shop have served me well for almost 12 years with no fault.

I use torquesticks daily without any issues. However, there are varibles that can affect their acciuracy such as air pressure, and supply volume, the impact wrench,and the age of the stick. You have to periodically check your air/impact/stick against a torque wrench to see if it's accurate. There is no way I would a torque stick for more than a year of daily use. They do fail and are not lifetime type tools. They can only absorb so many cycles.
The only advantage with a stick is speed.

 

[Teken]

I use torquesticks daily without any issues. However, there are varibles that can affect their acciuracy such as air pressure, and supply volume, the impact wrench,and the age of the stick. You have to periodically check your air/impact/stick against a torque wrench to see if it's accurate. There is no way I would a torque stick for more than a year of daily use. They do fail and are not lifetime type tools. They can only absorb so many cycles.
The only advantage with a stick is speed.

I would agree speed is a benefit . . . But like I said I have seen the sticks being used for many years. Mind you, when I say used what I have observed is quite random use from the other techs, I would say 90% of the monkeys just use a impact gun and go to town on the nuts. . .

I have never understood that kind of stupid aszz mentality, and they wonder why when they get the gear back it takes so ****** long to get off, or why a stud gets sheared clean off . .

Seems to be a mixed bag of people from young and old, I gather following proper schooling, technique, and OEM specs isn't a top concern for some of these people . . .

 

[MrMark]

You have to periodically check your air/impact/stick against a torque wrench to see if it's accurate.

I wonder how you would do that? You are putting a reference mark on the lug/wheel after using the torque stick and then backing it off and seeing if the reference mark lines up when you tighten and click off with a known calibrated torque wrench?

 

[bmxr4life87]

Torque sticks are only meant to keep idiots from overtorquing lugnuts. As far as I know most torque stick manufacturers STRESS that they are a torque LIMITING device and to ALWAYS final torque with a torque wrench. Saying it takes too much time and labor to torque lugnuts just screams hackjob I mean seriously my job requires me to and I can promise that its well worth the extra 2minutes it will take you

 

[Fedwrench]

I wonder how you would do that? You are putting a reference mark on the lug/wheel after using the torque stick and then backing it off and seeing if the reference mark lines up when you tighten and click off with a known calibrated torque wrench?

It's more like tighten a set of lug nuts with say a grey 100 ft lb stick and then measure the tightness with a beam or dial type torque wrench to see if you're in the ball park. Depending on impact/air supply, you my have to use a 120 ft lb stick to get 100ft lbs or vice versa.
Everyone argues about using torquesticks but, it's not like most of the torque wrenches getting banged around in a tire shop are even calibrated. As others have said, the torquestick is meant to prevent overtightening of lug nuts and to prevent rotor hat warping from uneven tightening. I don't see in advantage to using them in a non professional environment. It's a matter of technique. You can use the next lower rated stick to run the lug nuts down and final tighten with a calibrated torque wrench. Trust the stick, or do what many techs do, run the lug nuts down with your impact until the socket stops moving and let them impact beat on it awhile. As with all repairs, the job is your responsibility.

 

[fordbroncodave]

someone needs to put this to rest. do a slideshow or a video of your results. the amount of arguing isn't gonna accomplish anything. I assumed the manufacturer of the torque stick does many different tests to assure the owner that the stick does what it is supposed to do. if it didn't, i bet there would be a whole lot of lawsuits going around.

i know for a fact that the torque sticks we use at work work 100% effieciently and have had no negative results. if they weren't working due to another variable like air pressure or the gun malfunctioning i would know instantly because my hoist would be sitting on the ground with a car on it with no wheels.

 

[MarcSeattle]

Actually if they "weren't working" you'd likely not know it. The risk is overtorquing the fastener, and you certainly know the ramifications of that. The tool is only so good as the mechanic using it.

I can't speak for anyone on this forum but it seems that the reason people are here is because they are the type of people who like to do the job right. Torque sticks aren't doing the job right. Would anyone here say "yeah, I finished your brakes and they're a little squeaky, but so what?"

 

[caper]

i know for a fact that the torque sticks we use at work work 100% effieciently and have had no negative results. if they weren't working due to another variable like air pressure or the gun malfunctioning i would know instantly because my hoist would be sitting on the ground with a car on it with no wheels.

Funny,I didn't know mine wasn't working properly till the service manager came out yelling at me because the customer lost their wheel on the highway and nearly got her *** killed.Her car wasn't sitting on my hoist with no wheels,it was sitting on a flatbed with no wheel or fender.If your going to know instantly that there is a problem you must be a much better tech than I am,I'm in awe.

 

[kooldino]

So how exactly does a torque stick actually limit torque?

 

[48548]

So how exactly does a torque stick actually limit torque?

All sticks are: (1/2" drive female-(gun end), 1/2" drive male (lug nut socket end)

Sticks are color coded and engraved with ft/lb and Nm settings for quick reference.

Once the correct torque has been reached; The shaft will flex in sync with the blows of the impact gun and bleed off torque.

Torque Sticks are accurate to within +/- 3% when used with a 375-400ft/lb impact gun.

Made of ultra high quality Chrome Vanadium Steel.

*PREMIUM Carry case included. Top of case can be removed to convert to a tool chest TRAY. [full case pictured]

LIFETIME WARRANTY Against breakage and manufacturer defects!

Used by AUTO and TIRE SERVICE Professionals around the world.

Manufacturer: Genius Tools

 

[mkdive]

Let the kid do what he is going to do, hopefully he doesn't hurt anyone in the process to save a couple minutes.

The OP..... as much as I HATE to say it, didn't ask our opinions as we all (including myself) posted. He just asked for a source of the 19mm stick he is looking for. A believe a few members have given a few sources.

Wisdom comes with age & experience. The OP will pick that up over time. Pride in doing a job right and to the best of ones abilities I believe, is a great work ethic no matter what the trade is. Don't sacrifice doing a job right to save a couple minutes. It will come back and bite you.

If nothing else OP, take what others have experienced and shared with you. Take pride in knowing you did the best quality work on whatever the job/task you do.

 

[l_bilyk]

I suggest accutorq. They are the industry standard. Buy the size you need with the socket already part of the tool.

 

[MrMark]

It's more like tighten a set of lug nuts with say a grey 100 ft lb stick and then measure the tightness with a beam or dial type torque wrench to see if you're in the ball park. Depending on impact/air supply, you my have to use a 120 ft lb stick to get 100ft lbs or vice versa.

I don't believe that method is accurate because it neglects the inertia necessary to start the lug nut moving again. If your torque stick set the nut to 100 ft lbs, let's say, your beam wouldn't move the fastener until around 120, for example. This would cause you to incorrectly believe the torque was set at 120 ft lbs.

The static torque is very different from the dynamic torque. I am sure you know this, but you can't just go around on a set of lug nuts having the wrench click off without moving the nut. That tells you only that the static torque is higher than your setting. You could click off and have under torqued fasteners. I know everyone does it but that doesn't make it right. You have to back the nut off and then move slowly forward until the proper torque is achieved.

 

[MrMark]

It's a matter of technique. You can use the next lower rated stick to run the lug nuts down and final tighten with a calibrated torque wrench.

This is an excellent idea. Problem solved. Speed and accuracy. It lets you use the impact to spin them on while preserving the ability to cleanly torque the fasteners.

 

[MrMark]

Trust the stick, or do what many techs do, run the lug nuts down with your impact until the socket stops moving and let them impact beat on it awhile.

This is a joke, right?

 

[48548]

This is an excellent idea. Problem solved. Speed and accuracy. It lets you use the impact to spin them on while preserving the ability to cleanly torque the fasteners.

That is what I do use one less torque stick and then follow up with my torque wrench...

 

[Fedwrench]

This is a joke, right?

Nope, sometimes I'm amazed watching some dealership techs work when I'm waiting to pick up a fleet vehicle repaired under warranty.

 

[MrMark]

Nope, sometimes I'm amazed watching some dealership techs work when I'm waiting to pick up a fleet vehicle repaired under warranty.

This might explain why I snaped the factory lug wrench off while trying to change the tire on my corvette once upon a time. It was raining too.

No wonder all those GM rotor hats are warped!

 

[jvitez]

You can use the next lower rated stick to run the lug nuts down and final tighten with a calibrated torque wrench. As with all repairs, the job is your responsibility.

Exactly what I do.

"Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment."

 

[yellowbox]

i have broken a few torque sticks , do not really trust em ......

 

[kooldino]

Once the correct torque has been reached; The shaft will flex in sync with the blows of the impact gun and bleed off torque.

Ah, thank you.

Not really my style though, I'm kind of ****. I torque down lug nuts in two or three torque stages with my torque wrench to ensure even load on the rotor and such. The extra 5 minutes doesn't kill me.

 

[rockchucker]

I wonder how you would do that? You are putting a reference mark on the lug/wheel after using the torque stick and then backing it off and seeing if the reference mark lines up when you tighten and click off with a known calibrated torque wrench?

Just use the Stick to tighten said Bolt/Nut. Then start at a lower Torque setting on the wrench and increase lb/ft on the wrench until it moves the bolt instead of clicking...

Torque sticks are only meant to keep idiots from overtorquing lugnuts. As far as I know most torque stick manufacturers STRESS that they are a torque LIMITING device and to ALWAYS final torque with a torque wrench. Saying it takes too much time and labor to torque lugnuts just screams hackjob I mean seriously my job requires me to and I can promise that its well worth the extra 2minutes it will take you

100% ^ No questions asked. Always use a Torque Wrench for the Final Torque of anything. If the Wrench just clicks then the Bolt/Nut needs to be backed off and re-Torqued properly.

 

[CarCrafter]

Back when I worked for Ford, I had friends who threw away the Accutorq sticks Ford sent down because they had had a bad experience. I shrugged them off and grabbed them to use for home. Well, I'd never imagine it would happen to me, but it has. It only takes once to ruin a first impression. My trust in torque sticks is now gone and I will cease to use them from now on. I should have known better and from now on I will always grab the torque wrench. The couple minutes just isn't worth it.

I replaced some ball joints for a client yesterday on a Ford Explorer and sent them on their way. This was a Accutorq grey (100#) stick along with a IR-2131 gun. Half way home, they called and said the truck was making an awful sound and upon a close inspection, they found that the driver front wheel was almost falling off. Luckily for me, and them, they pulled over and tightened the wheel before anyone had gotten hurt. I've been in this business for over a 15 years now and I take pride in what I do. In a moment of haste, I neglected to follow-up with a torque wrench. I struggled to find sufficient words to apologize adequately and felt it was necessary to drive 30 minutes to their home just to check the other wheels so I can be certain they were tight. By the way, the right front wheel was slightly loose as well. The time that I "saved" ended up costing me more time. The most costly price may be that it cost me their trust and I can't say that I'd blame them.

 

[Lawton]

In the auto repair business "time is money", hence the use of torque sticks is the norm.
I only use Accutorq brand sticks as I believe these are the best quality available. But, due to fluctuations in air pressure and wear and tear on air tools, not to mention the adjustible rotary knob on tools slipping or being incorrectly set, there is a possibility for a "Major Malfunction". BTW, cheap aftermarket wheels with cheap lugnuts seem to have more problems when using torque sticks. Lawton