Thread: Idiots and rattle guns

Wheel brace that came with my LR which I think is genuine issue.. it folds in half, you can undo at full length but only do up at half. Theres a clue right there. I trust the amount of leverage LR provided - as tight as i can be bothered with my arms and then stand on it to finish. No need for a torque wrench or rattle guns.

I must remember to check em whenever back from the garage, if I was stranded with locked on wheels - I would go NUTS! ( yeah i said it )

All this and no mention or acknowledgement of torque tubes.
Despite the urban myth that every Tyre fitter in the country is a retard and uses a rattle gun to destroy our cars things are not always as they seem.
In the Tyre shops that I have been associated with the use of color graded torque tubes prevents what you are all talking about.
That said some fool with the wrong color tube will do exactly what you are saying.
The worst experience I had was when they didn't do the nuts up.

Torque tubes were fashionable and still are to a certain extent.

But up 'n over here the torque wrench seems to be the norm these days in the multistate chain tyre shops. Like Discount Tires & Big O Tires, the J/C or W/O print out often states the wheel nut torque etc, and the foreman goes around and writes in the box provided on the W/O the torque he set the wheel nuts before handing over the car to the customer.

The very litigious nature of the US car repair business almost dictates it especially in California.
Dennis
zedcars

What defines a torque tube?

I once had a fitter tell me that the anodised color coded tubular sockets with the plastic to stop it scratching your bling that are now fashionable were torque sockets and when they stopped it was tight. I agreed but he couldn't tell me how tight.

they are basically an extension bar or long socket that has a slip clutch in them that lets go at a predetermined torque limit.

Here you are:-
For your continued rattle or windy gun pleasure accessory list!
http://www.torquestick.com/images/torque_chart.pdf
Dennis
zedcars

Originally Posted by zedcars

Here you are:-
For your continued rattle or windy gun pleasure accessory list!
http://www.torquestick.com/images/torque_chart.pdf
Dennis
zedcars

these are a great idea, but nothing beats the feel of hand tools for final torque.

jc