Update: I was dead wrong about using a torque wrench on every single bolt

Spent 5 years thinking it was overkill for smaller jobs, but after snapping a head bolt on a Cummins ISX last month and costing myself $800 in repairs, I finally get why the old guys swear by it. Anyone else have a tool they ignored for way too long?

3 comments

3 Comments

margaretrivera2mo ago

I mean, it wasn't really overkill before you snapped that bolt, it was just the right way to do it. Maybe it's just me but calling it overkill is what gets people into trouble.

alices162mo ago

Honestly though, is it that deep for every single bolt? I get it for head bolts or critical engine stuff, but for a valve cover or a simple bracket, a good feel and some common sense usually gets you there. Feels like some people just love making simple jobs more complicated than they need to be.

gavincampbell19d ago

Has nobody considered that the real issue isn't torque specs but using the wrong tool for the job in the first place? @margaretrivera is right that doing it the right way keeps you out of trouble, but that right way starts with choosing the right tool, not just cranking down on everything.