Just realized I've been over-torquing flange bolts for years after a chat with an old-timer at the union hall

He saw me cranking down on a 2-inch stud and said, 'Kid, that gasket only needs to know it's loved, not strangled.' Anyone else have a simple rule that changed how you work?

3 comments

3 Comments

felix_henderson5422h ago

My foreman told me to torque bolts like I'm closing a Ziploc bag, not wrestling a bear. I used to crank everything to "German spec" good and tight, but shearing a bolt on a hydraulic line changed my tune. Now I just go firm and stop when it feels solid. What's the dumbest mistake you made before learning a better way?

terry_lewis2110h ago

Ever try to put a wheel back on without a torque wrench? I did that once and warped the rotor because I cranked the lugs way too hard in a star pattern. Now I always use a torque stick or just hand tight until the wrench clicks. That feeling when you know you went too far is the worst.

ben20621h ago

German spec" good and tight is a perfect way to put it, @felix_henderson54. I did the same thing with a drain plug on my old truck. I cranked it so hard I stripped the pan threads, which turned a simple oil change into a huge, messy repair. Now I just snug it up and give it a tiny extra turn, nothing more.