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I still think using torque sticks on lug nuts is a bad habit
Every guy in my shop swears by those torque sticks for putting wheels on. I see it all the time, guys zipping them on with an impact and calling it done. But I've pulled off too many rims that were way over or under torqued because of them. They just aren't consistent, especially on rusty hubs or with different air pressures in the impact. About 6 months ago I had a customer come back from a road trip to Flagstaff with a wobble because two lugs were barely finger tight from a torque stick job. I use a good old fashioned torque wrench on every single wheel I touch. Takes maybe 2 more minutes per car. Anyone else ever had a comeback from trusting those things?
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leo_kelly24d ago
Wait, have you actually tested these things yourself on a consistent basis? I get where you're coming from but I've seen too many shops where the air pressure in the line drops and suddenly those sticks are off by 20 or 30 foot-pounds. It's not just about using a torque wrench to double check, the whole point of the stick is to be a shortcut and shortcuts always bite you in the end. I've watched guys just hammer them on and call it a day, and then a week later the customer is back with a wobble or a loose wheel. I'd rather spend the extra two minutes doing it right than deal with that headache.
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