How important are torque specs?

[i2ice4m3]

When doing suspension work or anything else with bolts on a car, how important is it to torque each nut to specification? I've watch a lot of car shops do work and they dont use a torque wrench for everything (and sometimes anything). Is it a worthy investment, since i dont have one?

[slw240sx]

well when a control arm falls off the car after changing the ball joint or somthing youll be cursing yourself for not using torque specs !!

[slw240sx]

and never let those monkeys at the tire shops use a impact wrench on your lugs .. they have stripped mine before and now i cant even get my wheels off the car once the nuts are off.... i warned them to use hand tools but nooooo.. now i got to pry my wheels off the car ... damn them

[Doogz]

Damn slw240sx, you shoulda made em replace em...OR gave you money and then used that money to get a 5 lug hubs and then gave them to me

[MikeS14240sx]

I think they are a good investment. Over tightening a bolt can cause it to stretch and then fail, which depending on the bolt could cause lot$$$$$$$$ of damage.

Worth the piece of mind IMO.

[i2ice4m3]

thanks for the info guys!

[Holisticbeatz]

I agree, a torque wrench is a sound investment if you're a do-it-yourself type person. Nissan and other car makers have a torque spec list for a reason, and not to pay attention to them would be a mistake.

And don't skim out and buy a cheap torque wrench. You'll find a lot of Made in China tools on eBay, don't be fooled by the catchy marketing used. Go with Snap On or MAC tools, quality does make the difference.

[Infamous]

my dad never correctly torques down lugnuts right:oface, no problems yet, lol

[1dollar240]

Not many people torque lugnuts, but when it comes to suspension/head bolts/ bellhousing bolts/ flywheel bolts/ other misc important shizzit, then yes, use a torque wrench. Some one said that over torquing a bolt can stretch it, causing it to fail, this is very true. But on the other hand, some bolts (head bolts) are designed to be stretched (known as torque to yield bolts). Bottom line, use a torque wrench, it will save you time and money in the long run.

Brett

[F4ucc]

I would say, it is very important.

I pretty much make sure all bolts are tighten with suggested spec except those designed for cosmatic parts.

A cheap torques wrench is definitely better than nothing, a well made one would be even better.

Cheers

[180fan]

Proper torque on your lugs are very important as well. The one time that I can recall not properly torquing the nuts ended with me buying a new hub and bearing for the drivers front. One of the studs popped and was rotating (with the nut and the wheel attached) from over tightening that one of my lazy bastard friends did with an impact gun and me trying to pop it off later on.

[DAEDALUS]

The same is true for shops. You usually have to specifically request that a shop torque your lugnuts with a torque wrench. When I first began working on my car, one of the first jobs I did was a brake pad replacement. I had to bounce up and down on a 15" breaker to get every lug nut off. I weigh about 180lbs, meaning I was putting AT LEAST 225 ft-lbs of torque to get each off. Install torque is roughly 80 ft-lbs. That's just one reason I don't trust too many shops.

[yellow_jacket]

I find the title of this thread amusing every time I see it(I am not trying to flame or make fun of anyone). I had to fix so much stuff that cheapo shops and quicky oil change places screwed up. When I first started working I couldn't believe that so many shops wouldn't torque lug nuts, or even tranmission pan bolts. We always got a lot of warped rotors in after people went in to tire shops. Also got a lot of leaky tranmission pan gaskets from shops either stipping the bolts or not tightening them enough. If you are unsure of yourself it is always better to torque it. And when it comes to important stuff(heads, bearings, manifolds etc) it should always be torqued.

As far as shops go, you get what you pay for. Cheap labor rates generally equaly shoddy work.

[ricebike]

and i noticed recently that they're also over-torquing the valve covers down waaaay too much :P