Cranked a boom angle sensor bracket too tight and snapped the bolt clean off

Last Tuesday I was swapping out a worn angle sensor on a Terex RT555. Got everything lined up, started torquing the mounting bracket bolts. I guess I was rushing because I pushed past the spec and one of the M12 bolts just gave way with a loud crack. Had to stop everything and drill out the broken piece with a left hand bit. Took me an extra 45 minutes and I felt like an idiot. Anyone else had a simple change go sideways cause you got impatient?

2 comments

2 Comments

robin48923d ago

You ever have one of those moments where you're cursing yourself before you even start the fix? I used to be one of those guys who thought "tight is tight" and torque specs were more like suggestions. But after snapping a bolt on a jib extension a few years back and spending damn near a whole afternoon extracting it, I changed my tune. Now I drag out the torque wrench for anything that matters, even if it feels slow. That extra time sucks in the moment, but it beats the hell out of a broken bolt in a tight spot.

clark.iris23d ago

Wait, you ever find yourself just guessing on stuff that isn't critical, like a shelf bracket or something, or are you that guy who torques the lug nuts on the lawnmower too?