Torque Limiting Stick for Wheel Lugs ?

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 07 Aug 2017, 23:03

One of the reasons for buying an electric impact wrench was to make taking the
wheels off/on easier. There is the issue of getting the lug torque correct or at
least in the ball park and I recently heard about torque sticks. It is also suggested
to hand one to your tire guys to use when having them work on your car to help
avoid (way) too much torque. My main other car has a spec of 65 - 80 ft/lbs and I
think the Volvo is 80 so I'm thinking of buying a 75 ft/lbs stick. I was surprised to
find this writeup on them that says they will not work with an electric impact. I'm
thinking that using one is better than using nothing, but I might have to buy an air
impact. Anyone use these and want to offer an opinion or any tips?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-75-ft-lb- ... SwdpxUYPg7

Black 75 ft/lb (100 Nm) 1/2" Chrome-Molly 7" Extension Bar Torque Limiting Stick

Fast Free USPS Priority Mail Shipping

IMPORTANT - Must Be Used With Hammer Impact Having Consistent Settings Verified To Match Indicated Torque Value. This Allows The Extension To Flex And Recoil Between Strikes. Over Powering Or Use Without Impact Will Not Work

ATTENTION READ THIS BEFORE PURCHASE: Designed For Use With Air Impact Guns. Specifically, To Allow Tire Changers Fast Work While Limiting Damage Caused By Over Torqueing Wheels. Also Helps Them To Use Standard 6 Point Thin Wall Sockets That Fit Alloy Rims (Never Use 12 Point On Anything With 6 Point Fasteners). These Are Not A Replacement For A Proper Torque Wrench On Other Critical Torque Applications. Not Recommended For Use With Electric Impacts As They Often Exceed 2500 IPM And Are Not Compatible As 41 Strikes Per Second Will Never Recoil. Lower Power Cordless Will Not Recoil But May Never Reach Proper Torque. Higher Power Will Over Torque As The Stick Never Rebounds. Properly Rated For Use With ½”Air Impact Having 300 ? 500 Ft. Lb Max. If Necessary Turn Down Maximum Speed To Strike Less Than 1000 Impacts Per Minute. Verify Settings On Your Gun After Initial Use. But Do Not Purchase Unless You Are Certain Of Your Impact Specifications Prior To Purchase. We Are Unable To Refund Shipping On Items Mistakenly Purchased Or Accept Returns On Used Items.

Description:

Made from high strength Chrome-Molly steel

Designed to prevent damage when using an impact wrench.

Proper use prevents over-tightening of wheel lug nuts, distortion of wheels, drums and rotors

Can be used with thin wall sockets
Never requires calibration or maintenance (although it is recommended to verify accuracy when using different impact settings).

Color coded and laser etched sizing

Post by **scot850** » 07 Aug 2017, 23:15

I have an old electric torque gun that has pre-sets for torque built in. Don't see it out there for sale anymore. I don't find it hugely accurate as 80ft/lb is the minimum setting. I use it to get the wheel close to 80ft/lb which centers the wheel then lower it to the ground and re-torque with my regular torque wrench. I have a set of the torque sticks and have never used them. I am waiting to get my compressor system working in the garage before testing them with an air impact.

Neil.

Post by **E Showell** » 08 Aug 2017, 04:44

My mechanic uses torque sticks exclusively for Volvo wheels, but appears to have a manual set. I believe he uses 110 ft/lbs. for Volvo wheels. I've never been unable to remove a wheel he has mounted.

Post by **scot850** » 08 Aug 2017, 08:04

The torque spec for our P2 is 100ft/lb. He is over-tightening the P80 bolts by 30 ft/lb. Could be worse, our local Kia dealer mechanics (in name only) tightened my wife's car lug nuts to over 300 ft/lb!

Neil.

Post by **E Showell** » 08 Aug 2017, 08:22

I am aware he is overtightening. I do not have a problem with it since I lubricate my lug nuts and he said he's had problems at min. torque.

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 08 Aug 2017, 08:24

Just looked it up, 1996 850 from the service manual 80 ft/lbs or 110 Nm

Post by **shaker_chi** » 08 Aug 2017, 10:39

When I used to work for Sam's Club, we used those sticks with our air guns. We had a set of I think 6 or 7 and we had to look up each manufacturer before we tightened them. Eventually, we went to hand torque wrenches. Before every car left the shop each lug had to be torqued by 2 people.

Post by **scot850** » 08 Aug 2017, 11:36

I don't have 2 people but I go around the car twice and then recheck after a run. I especially check the P2 lug bolts as they have the weird swivel washer on them and I find they are harder to get consistent torque values on.

Hand torquing all the way but I do use the programmable electrical impact gun to get it a first hand tighten of the bolts to center the rim, and then torque to near the value, and then drop the car and final torque with manual torque wrench. AS we change the rims twice a year because of winter tirs and rims, and 4 cars, I have my method that so far has worked. I do use anti-seize on the threads of the lug bolts so they are getting torqued slightly higher than called for but no seized impossible bolts to remove next time!

Neil.

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 08 Aug 2017, 11:54

So, I take it that these are torsional springs with a spring constant to match the torque value.
The tool has to allow the spring to recoil before the next impact.
I wonder if I just pulse the electric impact might do it?
I could check with a manual torque wrench.

Post by **mecheng** » 08 Aug 2017, 14:02

PeteB wrote: ↑08 Aug 2017, 08:24 Just looked it up, 1996 850 from the service manual 80 ft/lbs or 110 Nm

That is what I found tool.

Regarding torque sticks, they are better than nothing but it is a very complex system that depends on the type of gun, weight of the socket, they will never be extremely accurate. Torque wrench for me, takes an extra couple of minutes. I use just a small bit of anti seize, there is no concern with excess stretch due to lube at 110Nm