c/auto-mechanics

Was dead set against torque sticks until I saw the proof

I've been wrenching for about 8 years now and always thought torque sticks were a gimmick. Figured if you couldn't feel it by hand, you shouldn't be using an impact on lugs at all. Last month I had a buddy at a shop in Denver show me his setup with a old Snap-On digital torque wrench to check. We tested 10 different lugs and the sticks were consistently within 3 ft-lbs every time. I grabbed a set of Sunex sticks the next day and honestly my wrist has been thanking me ever since. Anyone else change their mind on a tool after seeing real numbers?

1 comments

blair_gibson78•20h ago

Had a talk with a transmission shop owner that shook me up

I was at a local parts store in Raleigh last Tuesday picking up oil filters when I got to talking with an older guy who runs a transmission shop. He told me he's seeing more and more cars with 80,000 miles come in needing full rebuilds because people follow the "lifetime fluid" nonsense. He said that label is a marketing gimmick and told me he's got a stack of failed transmissions on his shelf that prove it. Hit me hard because I've been guilty of telling customers not to worry about transmission fluid changes on newer cars. I'm changing my tune now after hearing about the $4,000 bills those owners are facing. Has anyone else had a transmission guy set them straight on maintenance intervals?

c/auto-mechanics

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