TIL I was torquing those tiny AN3 bolts on flap actuators wrong for years

Was doing a 100-hour on a Beech Bonanza and the IA asked to see my wrench. He pointed out I was setting the click at the handle, not the fastener, because the crowfoot was at a 90. Felt like an idiot. How many of you actually re-calc the torque for an offset adapter on every job?

2 comments

2 Comments

robin_wright6d ago

Man, that exact thing got me on a Cessna 172's nose gear bolts last year. I was using a crowsfoot on the torque wrench for clearance, just like you. My old boss had to show me the math, torque times the wrench length divided by the wrench length plus the adapter. I keep a little chart taped inside my toolbox now because I will absolutely forget to do the calculation every single time. It's one of those easy mistakes that just sticks with you once you learn it.

taylor.jordan6d ago

Oh man, that math is so easy to mess up. I mean, I did the same thing on a car's axle nut once, had the crowsfoot at a 90 degree angle and just went for it. Snapped the bolt clean off. Had that sinking feeling in my stomach right after the click, you know? Now I just set the wrench way lower if I'm adding any kind of adapter, idk.