Customer called me out for using the wrong impact socket on a Honda crank bolt

Guy was watching me work on his '05 Civic and said "you know that's a 12-point socket on a 6-point bolt, right?" I brushed him off at first but he was right - the rounded corners were starting to slip. Switched to a 6-point and it came right off. Been double checking socket type ever since. Anyone else had a customer teach you something embarrassing?

2 comments

2 Comments

masonbell2d ago

You ever catch yourself thinking you knew better than someone watching you work? I used to think customers were just being nosy, but that story changed my mind completely.

the_logan2d ago

Man I had this EXACT thing happen at a car shop last year. The mechanic was working on my truck and I saw him trying to force a bolt that was clearly cross threaded. I just pointed and said "hey that bolt looks like its going in crooked" and he got real defensive. Told me he's been doing this 20 years and knows what he's doing. Then sure enough the bolt snapped and he had to drill it out. I felt bad for him but it also taught me that sometimes the person watching really does see something you missed. Now when I'm working on something and someone points something out I at least take a second to look instead of blowing them off.