While getting my cheap valve stems replaced today, I noticed the tire shop wasn't too knowledgeable about the torque recommendations. So I intervened to make sure they weren't going too tight. I told the guy 100 lbs. and he said, no problem, and went to get an extension. He didn't make any adjustments to the compressor or the impact gun. He just threw the extension on. He went back to get another one of my tires that was ready so while he was gone, I looked at the extension. It has written on the side "100 lb. ft". But it looked like any other extension as far as I could tell. So obviously, I had to ask when he returned. He said it was a torque stick extension. My obvious response was "huh?". He then explained what they were and how they worked.Way smarter than I am on how they work but I don't care. I'm ordering a set today. Should work perfectly with my DeWalt Cordless Impact Wrench. Torque Sticks

And here is an article on torque and how they workhow it works

There will be a lot replying here that they are unreliable. Seems to me they would get them close enough.

I used to work p/t in a tire shop. The hardest part was teaching the NG's that torque sticks are color coded for lug size and torque value, and what car models got what stick.

From wha I've read, they're good for getting the torque close -with the proper impact wrench - but no substitute for a torque wrench for the final torquing. I'll stick to what I already have - a decent torque wrench.

dave17352 wrote:There will be a lot replying here that they are unreliable. Seems to me they would get them close enough.Although I use a torque wrench myself, I think you are right.jfkmk wrote:From wha I've read, they're good for getting the torque close -with the proper impact wrench - but no substitute for a torque wrench for the final torquing. I'll stick to what I already have - a decent torque wrench. And how often do you have your torque wrench recalibrated?

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mlts22
Explorer
Apr 20, 2016
Even with beam torque wrenches, I still have encountered problems. I used a beam wrench to validate how tight I had a spare tire... found out it was off by 20 foot/pounds, and I wound up the proud owner of a new rotor because it warped it that badly.

These days, I just use clickers. Torque sticks look good to get things to the right range, but I wouldn't call the job done until I use a real torque wrench.

The days of "tighten it until it strips, then back off 1/4 turn" are behind us, especially with how relatively thin various parts are and how being off by just a few pounds can cause damage.
Goostoff
Explorer
Apr 20, 2016
My method is to set my clicker torque wrench to 105 ft lb and I should be able to just budge them before it clicks. an extra 5 lbs isnt going to hurt anything. Proper torque isnt necessarily to keep the wheel from falling off. It is to keep idiots from cranking on them until they grind and to ensure that they are tightened evenly to keep from warping rotors and drums.

On a side note but still related, how many of you anti torque stick folks like to use grease and never seize on your lug nuts?
3oaks
Explorer
Apr 20, 2016
ensure that they are tightened evenly to keep from warping rotors and drums.
Right! The corporation which I worked for on heavy industrial machinery taught us that it was more important to have ever bolt or nut torqued evenly than to have them torqued to down to an exact foot poundage, within reason of course. ;)

It was very important that each bolt or nut carried an equal share of the load.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Apr 20, 2016
Goostoff wrote:
My method is to set my clicker torque wrench to 105 ft lb and I should be able to just budge them before it clicks. an extra 5 lbs isnt going to hurt anything. Proper torque isnt necessarily to keep the wheel from falling off. It is to keep idiots from cranking on them until they grind and to ensure that they are tightened evenly to keep from warping rotors and drums.

On a side note but still related, how many of you anti torque stick folks like to use grease and never seize on your lug nuts?
I do and I'm glad to say I've never had an issue with not being able to get a lug nut off. Used correctly anti-seize does just what it says. The warnings against using anti-seize is so you don't overtighten that lug nut using dry settings.

Like anything else it works if you are aware of how to use it properly.
dave17352
Explorer
Apr 20, 2016
I bet they used torque sticks on the lunar lander! and they all got back home.
lawnspecialties
Explorer
Apr 20, 2016
My torque sticks just arrived. I ordered them last night around 8:00 and paid $10 for same day delivery. The guy just delivered them about an hour ago. Wow.

I will use them for pretty much any and all tire changes I have as long as the ft./lbs. equals what the specs call for.
Durb
Explorer
Apr 21, 2016
Sold torque wrenches for 30 years and have performed extensive training to industrial end users regarding the correct way to use a torque wrench. Once a wrench clicks it is now a breaker bar and can be used to over torque the lug nut. A major tire chain I know examined their installers' technique and found they were tightening the lug nuts up to 200 ft-lb over the spec. Torque sticks are ok for pre-torqueing fasteners but final torque should be done with a torque wrench. I can guarantee that almost all tires installed at a shop have over torqued fasteners due to poor technique.

When you get home, loosen each nut one at a time and re-torque. Pull slowly on the wrench (don't push) and when it clicks stop. Make sure you chock your tires, any torque used to rock your rig is coming from your lug nut which will be under torqued.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Apr 21, 2016
If you insist on a shop that uses a torque wrench you will have very limited choices. Most just set the impact and go till it stops.
Duck
Explorer
Apr 21, 2016
Being around 165 pounds and not a weight lifter I just use what strength I have and replaced the nuts. Never had one come loose and not difficult to take off. I guess God made me to be a torque wrench.
Don
WTP-GC
Explorer
Apr 21, 2016
Reading this thread further validates that the internet has created more mis-placed worry in people than God ever intended. Just remember, in the daylight you will cast a shadow...and it's not going to hurt you.

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