stella_scott96•5d agoProlific Poster

Can we talk about people who use impact guns on oil drain plugs?

I had a Civic come in last Tuesday where the last shop literally welded the plug on because they stripped it so bad. It took me 45 minutes with a chisel to get it off. Why do some guys think torque specs are just suggestions? A drain plug needs like 30 ft-lbs max not your full ugga dugga. Has anyone else had to deal with this kinda damage from over tightening?

3 comments

3 Comments

young.ryan5d ago

I mean, I won't totally disagree with you but I've seen those torque wrenches do more harm than good sometimes. The guys who use impact guns probably just figure it's better to have it too tight than risk it backing out on the highway, you know? Not saying it's right, just that a lot of those stripped plugs come from someone cranking down with a big breaker bar too.

wade_kelly775d ago

You know what, you might be right about that. I used to be one of those guys who swore by the torque wrench for everything, thought it was the only way to be sure. But after seeing a buddy of mine snap a bolt clean off on a control arm using a torque wrench that wasn't even calibrated right, I started to rethink things. I'd have argued with you a year ago, but seeing it happen firsthand changed my mind, honestly. @young.ryan you make a solid point about the impact guns too, it's about striking that balance and knowing when to trust the feel of it. I guess experience really does trump the tools sometimes.

nina_hall485d ago

You know, I used to be in the "torque wrench for everything" camp too, but after dealing with a plug that was so tight it snapped the head off my ratchet, I totally get where you're coming from. That "better safe than sorry" mindset is dangerous when you're talking about aluminum oil pans. It’s way too easy to hear those ugga duggas and just keep going till it stops moving. I’ve seen too many pans cracked or plugs welded on because someone thought tight was the only way. Experience really does teach you there’s a sweet spot between loose and destroyed.