Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: Torque sticks?????

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    BEAVER,PA
    Posts
    273

    Default Torque sticks?????

    Will a torque stick properly work on an electric torque wrench or only work properly on a gun hooked up to a compressor? The reason I want to know is because we would like to use this method for our pit stop in a 12 hr race.....

    thanks
    greg

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Black Rock, Ct
    Posts
    9,594

    Default

    In early with my guess. First, I assume you mean the socket extensions that are color coded, and flex at a predetermined torque?

    I would imagine that they flex when they flex. So, if the electric impact generates the same tq as an air gun, the result will be the same. I've always *guessed* that using them resulted in approximately X tq, or Y tq, (or whatever tq)as long as you didn't spend an hour on them with a 350ft lb gun.

    This is all a guess though, and I will be interested in learning more.

    One fear I'd have is that if using an electric unit, and the battery is not up to snuff, you could have an undertorqued nut.
    Jake Gulick


    CarriageHouse Motorsports
    for sale: 2003 Audi A4 Quattro, clean, serviced, dark green, auto, sunroof, tan leather with 75K miles.
    IT-7 #57 RX-7 race car
    Porsche 1973 911E street/fun car
    BMW 2003 M3 cab, sun car.
    GMC Sierra Tow Vehicle
    New England Region
    lateapex911(at)gmail(dot)com


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Fort Mill, SC
    Posts
    328

    Default

    Greg, I dont think that the time saved versus risk is worth it. Not sure what kind of car or tires you are running at Nelson but I would use the elctric to brake the nuts and put them on and hit it with a torque wrench.

    The other option is that you can get two cylinders and use air guns with the torque sticks. That is a set up that we have used in the past for previous longest days.

    I'll see you at the track, I don't think we met at the Steel Cities Double back in June, I run the white ITA Neon.

    I'm driving with Murfin racing at the 12hr in a neon.

    Chris
    1987 ITS RX-7
    2014 Ford Focus ST
    Currently borrowing tow vehicles!!

    Central Carolina Region

    STEELERS SIX PACK!!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Concord, NH 03301
    Posts
    700

    Default

    Just get set the regulator on the nitrogen bottle before the race with some trial & error on how many PSI = how many Ft-# on the lug. If you run two guns on the same bottle, the tire guys need to listen for the other guy & coordinate their efforts. You also have to know how long to leave the gun pounding away on the lug, but again, a little pre-race training and you're all set.

    I don't know anything about a torque stick, but the impact load from an air gun does make things behave differently than a static torque applied. Try it and let us all know, I am at least curiuos.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    29

    Default

    It should work fine provided you have a quality impact, such as the Snap On unit.
    Andrew Smith
    2008/2009 GBRS GTU Champion
    www.fastguys.com
    www.chriscarvermotorsports.com

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Somewhere in Upstate New York
    Posts
    1,033

    Default

    As Matt noted, it's actually very easy to create a "calibration sheet" for an air impact gun. For example, I know that my Ingersoll 1/2" gun will, at 80psi on the regulator and using a 50' length of 1/2" hose, reliably hit 75 ft. lbs. Need a little more or less...just fiddle with pressure a bit.

    That said, we ALWAYS follow up with a torque wrench. You're nuts if you don't.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    Black Rock, Ct
    Posts
    9,594

    Default

    That's an interesting point. Watch any ALMS race, or Koni race, and the guy with the gun zings them on, and off they go. I can't ever remember seeing a guy run around with a tq wrench...
    Jake Gulick


    CarriageHouse Motorsports
    for sale: 2003 Audi A4 Quattro, clean, serviced, dark green, auto, sunroof, tan leather with 75K miles.
    IT-7 #57 RX-7 race car
    Porsche 1973 911E street/fun car
    BMW 2003 M3 cab, sun car.
    GMC Sierra Tow Vehicle
    New England Region
    lateapex911(at)gmail(dot)com


  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    29

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by lateapex911 View Post
    That's an interesting point. Watch any ALMS race, or Koni race, and the guy with the gun zings them on, and off they go. I can't ever remember seeing a guy run around with a tq wrench...
    Truthfully, it matters what your intentions are. If you are trying to win a race at all costs, just bang them on and don't be afraid of over torquing them. Expect to change studs after the race.
    If you don't want to replace your studs, take more time going on with them. I personally use a torque stick and have never had a problem with it, but make sure nobody tries to use it in reverse.
    Andrew Smith
    2008/2009 GBRS GTU Champion
    www.fastguys.com
    www.chriscarvermotorsports.com

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Colchester, CT, USA
    Posts
    2,120

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by JohnRW View Post
    You're nuts if you don't.
    No pun intended...............
    Jeff L

    ITA Miata



    2010 NARRC Champion

    2007 NERRC Championship, 2nd place
    2008 NARRC Championship, 2nd place
    2009 NARRC Championship, 2nd place

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    142

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by europeanspec View Post
    Truthfully, it matters what your intentions are. If you are trying to win a race at all costs, just bang them on and don't be afraid of over torquing them. Expect to change studs after the race.
    If you don't want to replace your studs, take more time going on with them. I personally use a torque stick and have never had a problem with it, but make sure nobody tries to use it in reverse.
    changed tires around 40 to 50 times on a ST team, never once changed/broke/needed to replace a stud.

    Same goes for other enduros I have worked.

    After a while you get a really good feel, with Air it more sure fired, but even with a electric impact you can get a good feel for it.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Posts
    29

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jimmyc View Post
    changed tires around 40 to 50 times on a ST team, never once changed/broke/needed to replace a stud.

    Same goes for other enduros I have worked.

    After a while you get a really good feel, with Air it more sure fired, but even with a electric impact you can get a good feel for it.
    Right, what I meant to say was, if you are going for all out performance, pound them on quickly and deal with breakage afterwards. You probably won't need to change anything, but you could and if you did, it would be studs.
    Andrew Smith
    2008/2009 GBRS GTU Champion
    www.fastguys.com
    www.chriscarvermotorsports.com

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •