Torque or not to torque

[Cliffy]

I've found MANY tire shops have no idea how to torque a wheel nut even when they use a torque wrench. Many times I have had to have them loosen the nuts with a big impact wrench so I can re-torque them with my wrench correctly. Twice I bent a cross wrench trying to loosen lug nuts just installed by a shop. If you don't catch it then, when you are out on the road and need to get a wheel off you won't be able to do it.
Learn how to do it yourself (push slowly until the click) and carry your own torque wrench.

[69Stang]

Back when I was an Helicopter Mechanic we used a product called "Torque Seal". It was basically a thick colored liquid that you would place a line on the nut and next to the nut and would allow you to visually check to see if the nut loosened. You can use something as simple as nail polish to mark your lug nuts. You might get funny looks from your DW when you ask to borrow her nail polish though.

[1bigmess]

Paint pen is what folks might want to look for.

[Jbird1311]

can you post a link to the 9.99 wrench? I'm not finding it. Thanks!!

[lynnmor]

Originally Posted by Jbird1311

can you post a link to the 9.99 wrench? I'm not finding it. Thanks!!

Here it is for $11.99.
1/2" Torque Wrench

Watch for coupons in newspapers and flyers and you might find it as low as $9.99.

[MarkyB]

Harbor Freight torque wrenches are on sale for $21.99. Then they always have a 20% off coupon going.

I have never heard of dialing one back to zero for storage. Mine stays at 110 ft-lbs. Never thought about before. All I do with it is tighten lug nuts.

[TeJay]

Dialing back to Zero is standard procedure for as long as I used them. If you don't they won't maintain their accuracy.

No I don't know if the idea has ever been tested and like many of those ideas it may or may not be true.

TeJay

[twinboat]

I found this info on torque wrench's
Some of it is interesting.

1.******Storing your torque wrench.
When a torque wrench is in regular use it does not need to be wound back. However, when storing a torque wrench for an extended period of time, users should always wind it down to the minimum scale setting and NEVER to zero.

*A fully loaded torque wrench, left in storage for a long period, can cause a ‘set’ in the spring, causing it to weaken over time. On the other end of the scale, by completely off-loading the spring, other components within the wrench may move fractionally relative to each other. When you reapply spring compression the orientation of these components can change, therefore affecting accuracy. All in all, it is better to leave a bit of compression in the spring while in storage.

2.*****For accurate results, one click is enough
Users often allow torque wrenches to click multiple times, without being aware of the additional torque being applying to the bolts. Operate your torque wrench in a smooth and steady manner and remember that one click is enough.

[lynnmor]

Originally Posted by TeJay

Dialing back to Zero is standard procedure for as long as I used them. If you don't they won't maintain their accuracy.

No I don't know if the idea has ever been tested and like many of those ideas it may or may not be true.

TeJay

Here ya go: Torque Wrench Testing - Shop Tools - Car Craft Magazine