Do you use a torque wrench or go by feel?

[Bennet]

Just wondering if most PH home mechanics use a torque wrench (and go to the associated trouble of researching torque settings), or do most say "it'll be fine" and just go by feel?

I don't have a torque wrench and should probably buy one. TBH, the idea of trying to find the correct torque settings for everything puts me off more than the cost of the tool, but obviously if it has to be done, it has to be done. Still beats paying a garage to do it.

[Baldchap]

Right tool for the job saves a lot of tears in every walk of life, in my experience.

I have both big (For effin' tight) and small (for not so tight) torque wrenches.

[Miserablegit]

Torque wrench for wheel bolts and sump plugs
The rest, I’m afraid, is done by guesswork

[Xcore]

You only do righty tighty, righty loosey once

[donteatpeople]

It depends on what its securing. Brakes, wheels, anything directly safety related I'll use a torque wrench (also small things into aluminium, that's not the type of stripping I like to see). Bits of interior trim or washer bottle mountings, it'll be fine.

[paintman]

donteatpeople said:

It depends on what its securing. Brakes, wheels, anything directly safety related I'll use a torque wrench (also small things into aluminium, that's not the type of stripping I like to see). Bits of interior trim or washer bottle mountings, it'll be fine.

Much the same.

Baldchap said:

I have both big (For effin' tight) and small (for not so tight) torque wrenches.

Ditto.
Plus one in inch/lbs for really squeaky bum ones.

[Baldchap]

Always amazes me how many wheel nuts aren't properly torqued by professionals.

I always loosen and properly torque mine after it's been anywhere, as you'd never get them off at the roadside otherwise (less of an issue with sealent instead of spares these days, of course).

[The spinner of plates]

Xcore said:

You only do righty tighty, righty loosey once

Yup!

It’s a sickening feeling... especially when you are actually using your torque wrench but left it on the previous setting

Edited by The spinner of plates on Monday 28th June 21:08

[BritishBlitz87]

Someone did the intake manifold by feel on my Triumph, now it's cracked.

Just get a torque wrench, it'll last you 30 years anyway.

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

I used to use a torque wrench a lot but I reckon mine has gone a reasonable way out of calibration on the lower end of the scale that it was over tightening some fasteners quite significantly. I've never broken anything off with it but when your mind is telling you 'this ain't quite right' then in my experience it means something isn't as it should be.

[anonymous-user]

Baldchap said:

Always amazes me how many wheel nuts aren't properly torqued by professionals.

As far as I can tell all the tyre places seem to use a power/air gun and tighten till it stops. Never noticed them checking/setting the correct torque for the particular car they are working on.

Am I mistaken? Or do they use the same torque setting for every car they change the tyres on?

[sparkythecat]

MikeStroud said:

Baldchap said:

Always amazes me how many wheel nuts aren't properly torqued by professionals.

As far as I can tell all the tyre places seem to use a power/air gun and tighten till it stops. Never noticed them checking/setting the correct torque for the particular car they are working on.

Am I mistaken? Or do they use the same torque setting for every car they change the tyres on?

They use a windy gun at maximum setting and then they use a torque wrench not to tighten the nuts to the correct torque setting, but just to confirm that they are indeed bd tight

[Rockets7]

Torque wrench on everything set at 1nm under the recommendation.... so no purpose really !

[Cyder]

Three ‘Dugga Duggas’ on the windy gun for the rallycar wheels to torque them up. Far cry from when I worked on the WRC car with fancy wheel nuts and torque wrenches galore all pre-set.

[Drive it fix it repeat]

Torque wrench on important bits and wheel nuts/bolts always. Anything else it depends on access and how much of a nuisance it will be if it comes loose. Something quite satisfying about the reassuring click of a quality torque wrench.

[B'stard Child]

MikeStroud said:

Baldchap said:

Always amazes me how many wheel nuts aren't properly torqued by professionals.

As far as I can tell all the tyre places seem to use a power/air gun and tighten till it stops. Never noticed them checking/setting the correct torque for the particular car they are working on.

Am I mistaken? Or do they use the same torque setting for every car they change the tyres on?

Find a better garage is my advice

Mine spin the bolts in with a air gun but stop before the dugga dugga point - the then had tighten with a proper torque wrench it's always at least a 1/4 to half turn before the wrench clicks

Went to a fast fit company who are very "quick" once - the "technician" wound in all the bolts to 20 dugga duggas he then went round with a torque wrench and "checked" every bolt - each one clicked before any movement

I pointed out the stupidity of this "check" and got absolutely nowhere with the "technician" or the "manager"

I re-did all the wheel bolts when I got home and Christ they were bloody tight - I needed a little leverage on a breaker bar to crack them free

[underwhelmist]

I used to go by feel, now I use a torque wrench...

[Drezza]

Only for engine work, nothing else.

[phillpot]

Drive it fix it repeat said:

Something quite satisfying about the reassuring click of a quality torque wrench.

Click? do love a bit of "old skool"

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

B'stard Child said:

Went to a fast fit company who are very "quick" once - the "technician" wound in all the bolts to 20 dugga duggas he then went round with a torque wrench and "checked" every bolt - each one clicked before any movement

I pointed out the stupidity of this "check" and got absolutely nowhere with the "technician" or the "manager"

Unfortunately in those type of establishments that is generally the level of staff that you are dealing with...