Ramp lead in Phoenix made me rethink how I torque things

Was out at KPHX helping with a line check last summer and this old ramp lead pulled me aside after I finished a wheel change. He had me re-torque a lug nut I already checked with my calibrated bar and it clicked again, about 15 foot pounds more. Turns out my adapter was adding flex that made me think I was done when I wasn't. I started checking my torque adapters every month since then and replaced three that were worn out. The fun part is that none of our paperwork or training ever covers adapter wear, it's like a hidden failure point. Has anyone else found a torque adapter that was way off during a routine check?

1 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In

1 Comment

terry_jones1mo ago

Man, I've probably torqued a thousand lugs with adapters that were secretly lying to me and never knew it lol. My own calibration check found my favorite 1/2 inch drive adapter was off by almost twenty pounds, which explains a lot about my arm getting tired for no reason. Now I just tell the new guys the adapter is the real diva of the toolbox, it always needs attention before you trust it.

3