red2012

Although I do have both I was wondering just how accurate a 100lb torque stick is when you tighten your lugs with a air gun. I have never used it as I don't trust it but have it just in a emergency. Mavis uses them exclusively so how bad or off could they be? Anybody here use them exclusively?

87SAM

Since you have both, why not do your own test on a lug nut or something?

red2012

Because after you tighten them with the torque stick if the stick over tightens them then applying the torque wrench to check it will not tell you anything as the torque wrench will have no value. Only if the stick under tightens then you could torque them with the wrench and get a accurate reading. Maybe I could try that but I was hoping to get real world knowledge from people who use them frequently.

icntdrv55

Not sure what you're referring to. Are you using the term "torque stick" to refer to a pointer-and-scale beam type of torque wrench? Vs a click type of TW? As far as accuracy, the main difference between the two is that--assuming they are both accurate at the time of purchase--the beam-type of TW will not change in terms accuracy and you will always know your reading is true, whereas a click-type may no longer be accurate, depending on whether you religiously put it away with the pre-load set to zero, but you'll never know unless you have it re-calibrated occasionally. As far as precision, I would guess that a click-type TW would be more precise….independently of whether it was accurate or not. And to best of my knowledge, I've NEVER seen an 'air gun' that was calibrated for torque.

theblue

The first question to ask is how big of a tolerance is acceptable. Answers will vary, but I would say 10lbs. So If you can use a torque stick and get a result of 90-110 then I would say that's good enough. I'm not saying that I don't aim for perfection on my own car, just that getting close enough is good enough for a street car.

I personally use a $20 harbor freight torque wrench. I've used it for years for everything from track days to autox to snow tires. I once checked it by comparing to an expensive snap on and it was very close to on the money. I wouldn't build an engine with it, but I'm happy enough for my wheels.

red2012

No a torque stick looks like a thick ratchet extension with the lug nut size on one side and the 1/2 drive on the other side to hook up to a impact gun. ( air or electric ).

87SAM

Unless your torque wrench only goes to 100, just increase the wrench 5 at a time

theblue

or just break them all back quickly and then retorque.

cranky

Torque stick is used everyday by hundreds of tire shops. i have used one on my 2005 vert since new. not ever a problem

windyC6

Never heard of a torque stick either. Years of experience and common mechanical sense go a long way with a bar or a gun. Take into consideration what the wheel is made of... tighten with a star pattern, recheck after a few miles.....drive on.

red2012

Right, I could start the wrench at 90 and keep going up until I get a reading then I would know were the torque stick lies. Good call I wasn't thinking that way. Thanks.

red2012

You might not of heard the name but if you seen one you would probably say "yea I've seen one of those". Or just for the hell of it google torque stick and look at the images.

Red08

A friend of mine had new tires put on his C5 at a place in town that sells custom wheels, and was actually recommended as a place to have corvette tires replaced. They over-tightened the lug nuts with an air gun, and actually broke one off. After hearing that, I went elsewhere when I was ready for new rubber.

irok

place all your torque sticks in the nearest garbage can. thats why they make torque wrench's

50 4Ever

When I switch my track or street tires I always use an 80 pound torque stick followed by a torque wrench set to 100#. I would imagine the torque sticks are very accurate, but I chose to do it this way...

cclive

Why the need to use a gun to do the final tightening. Just use it to snug up and then use whatever you want by hand to do the final tightening. Personally, I think a torque wrench for 100lb wheel nuts is not needed, but I would never use a gun.

Simple, short explanation of a torque stick:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=18391

glenB

Use them all the time, never a problem.

red2012

I have the Snap On CT6850 cordless impact wrench with 400ft.lbs tightening torque and 617ft.lbs bolt breakaway torque. I'll use this with the 100ft lb torque stick and then use my torque wrench to double check the stick and I'll post some results in a day or two. BTW the Snap On gun is extremely powerful and handy but expensive ( but worth it ) if anybody is interested. $475.