I was wrong about using the same torque on every elevator door hanger bolt

For years, I just cranked them all down to what felt right, maybe 40 foot-pounds. Then, on a job in Phoenix last spring, I saw a senior guy using a torque wrench and checking the manual for each model. He said, 'You're warping the header, Derek. A 90s Montgomery needs 32, a new Kone wants 28.' I checked my old jobs and sure enough, a few had binding issues. Now I carry the spec sheets. How many of you actually torque to the book, or is it still a feel thing for most?

2 comments

2 Comments

spencer_kim8529d ago

Yeah I read a forum post about this exact thing, how over-torquing can actually pull the rail out of alignment over time. It made me dig out my old torque wrench for the first time in a while, lol. That binding issue you mentioned is no joke.

singh.jessica29d ago

Look, I get why @spencer_kim85 dug out his wrench, but specs are just a starting point. You feel the bolt seat, you know the metal. On site, with different conditions and old threads, a book number can be wrong. My feel for 40 foot-pounds has never caused a callback, while I've seen guys under-torque to the manual and have nuts work loose.