Torque sticks? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TchTchr · #1 10-09-2009, 06:17 PM

I was wondering if anyone has used torque sticks on their lug nuts. I saw them at a big rig shop the other day and the guy at the counter said the mechanics swear by them. I searched the forum, but I didn't find much info. Torqueing down the lugs is one of those activities that wreaks havoc on my back. The wagon isn't too bad at 80 lbs., the truck at 150 lbs. is another story - doesn't help that I have toothpick arms

Skippy · #2 10-09-2009, 06:22 PM

I worked at a shop a few years ago that had a set. They saved a bit of time by not having to get out a torque wrench. If you're only working on your own car I don't think they are worth it.

TchTchr · #3 10-09-2009, 07:05 PM

They can be bought individually. For whatever reason, (overweight - out of shape maybe?) the truck's lugs get my back everytime.

kerry · #4 10-09-2009, 07:59 PM

Thank your lucky stars. My Fuso lugs require 395 ft lbs of torque.

pawoSD · #5 10-09-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

Thank your lucky stars. My Fuso lugs require 395 ft lbs of torque.

I assume you use one heck of an air impact to do that?

I have two torque wrenches. A normal 1/2" drive one....up to 150ft/lbs I believe, with a minimum of 20.

My other one is a MicroTork that does the inch-lbs and real low nm. I use it for putting stuff together on the gasser....like spark plugs and fuel system stuff...

connerm · #6 10-09-2009, 08:11 PM

I've always been curious. Are they made to allow a certain amount of twist?

kerry · #7 10-09-2009, 08:13 PM

Since it took 1800 ft lbs of torque to break them loose when I got the truck, I've tightened them with my 200 lbs on the end of a 3' breaker bar.

kmaysob · #8 10-09-2009, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

I assume you use one heck of an air impact to do that?

I have two torque wrenches. A normal 1/2" drive one....up to 150ft lbs I believe, with a minimum of 20.

My other one is a MicroTork that does the inch-lbs and real low nm. I use it for putting stuff together on the gasser....like spark plugs and fuel system stuff...

they make torque multipliers for high torque like that.
we used them all the time when i worked on heavy equipment. we had one with a 4:1 ratio

i have a snap-on 1/2'' with a long handle that will go from 50-ft lbs to 250 and a matco 3/8" that will do 5 ftlbs up to 150. i use the 1/2 when ever i can to reduce the effort.

i have never used torque sticks but i hear they work good. when i worked at a tire shop we were told use a torque wrench or get fired.

babymog · #9 10-09-2009, 11:10 PM

You're forgetting about the 450ft-lbs on the coach Kerry. When I did mine, I used my 12x reduction wrench and a torque wrench set at 45ft-lbs (lose a bit in the gearing), worked great except for the 17lbs of gear-reduction, times 60 lug-nuts! Did it once in a campground in Disney installing new SS centers, 85degrees and humid, never again.

As far as the torque-sticks, they do work well and you can buy them individually at just the torque for your truck. The design is that they yield at the preset torque, becoming a spring instead of turning the lug, designed for impact-wrenches where you are turing and releasing quickly and don't work when installing a lug-bolt/nut by hand.

Nate · #10 10-09-2009, 11:44 PM

They get it close, but always use a torque wrench to make sure it's correct.

They make long torque wrenches. They're not cheap, but, they do the job.

~Nate

Wodnek · #11 10-09-2009, 11:55 PM

A buddy had an Iveco diesel truck that had some insane torque spec for the front. To brake them loose he but on a long breaker bar and used a fork truck to lift up on it! I wasnt there when he retorqued them.

argus445 · #12 10-10-2009, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate

They get it close, but always use a torque wrench to make sure it's correct.

They make long torque wrenches. They're not cheap, but, they do the job.

~Nate

Actually torque sticks are suppose to be more accurate (repeatability) than torque wrenches from what i've heard. Alot ppl dont use torque wrenches correctly.

Your lucky to get your wheels torqued w/o stripping the nutz off at most places of bussiness let alone the HD industry cant exactly use a torq wrench on them eather. So if u can afford them i'd def say use them. I inherited a set from the local ford dealer tho the limits are so varying for a given size might have 3 different torque levels for a given size.

kerry · #13 10-10-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

You're forgetting about the 450ft-lbs on the coach Kerry. When I did mine, I used my 12x reduction wrench and a torque wrench set at 45ft-lbs (lose a bit in the gearing), worked great except for the 17lbs of gear-reduction, times 60 lug-nuts! Did it once in a campground in Disney installing new SS centers, 85degrees and humid, never again.

What does your 12x reducer look like? I have a torque multiplier but I think it's only 4x. I bought a nice little lug wrench stand from Northern Tool for truck wheels. It is infinitely adjustable and holds the extension at just the right height for the lug nut.
How much torque do you calculate is lost in the mutliplier gearing?

Kelly · #14 10-10-2009, 02:26 PM

I've used torque sticks for years. They work great. Only drawback my Snap On guy told me about is that he's seen the smaller spec ones break eventually after years of use, and to always wear eye protection while using them. (and not to use as chisel or prybar

)

bmwpowere36m3 · #15 10-10-2009, 02:33 PM

Their quick, pretty much fool proof, and accurate enough. We tested them out at our shop and they were within 5-10 ft-lbs of each other. For my own car I use a torque wrench, but it takes longer and you need to be consistent with its use. Also if you're using a harbor freight or some other cheap chinese torque wrench, then your definitely better off with a torque stick.