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I keep seeing techs skip the final torque step on aluminum wheels
At my shop in Springfield, we get a lot of cars from the quick-lube place down the road. I'd say seven out of ten have their aluminum lug nuts just zipped on with an impact. I know it's faster, but that final hand torque with a calibrated wrench matters. I've seen two cars this month with warped rotors from uneven clamping force. How do you guys handle this when the service writer is pushing for a faster turnaround?
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oliver_lopez7mo ago
Warped rotors are a classic sign, but the real scary one is a wheel coming loose on the highway. I explain that to the service writer, a five minute torque check is way cheaper than a lawsuit. Sometimes you just have to slow down and do it right, even if management grumbles.
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scott.anthony7mo ago
Warped rotors usually aren't warped. It's almost always uneven pad material transfer or a stuck caliper. The shake feels the same though. A proper torque check is still non-negotiable.
3
gonzalez.rowan6mo ago
Man, I used to think torque checks were just a waste of time honestly... like if it felt tight it was good enough. Then a buddy lost a wheel on the highway and I nearly had a heart attack just hearing about it. That changed my whole view, now I double check everything even if my manager rolls his eyes at me.
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