Changed how I torque heads after a old-timer yelled at me at a shop in Billings

Got called out by a retired diesel guy named Walt at a parts counter last month. He saw me grabbing my torque wrench and said "you're gonna snap those studs before they even seat." Told me I was going too fast and not doing a three-pass sequence. I always thought I was careful but I was just doing one smooth pull to spec. Changed it up on a rebuild last week. Did 80 ft-lbs first, then 120, then final 150. Torque angle was dead perfect. Anyone else learn torque technique from a random guy in a parts store?

3 comments

3 Comments

theajohnson20d agoTop Commenter

@nathankim probably learned all his tricks from that same school of old school thinking. Walt sounds like he knew exactly what he was talking about though. Three passes feel slower but the torque angle comes out way more consistent. I used to rush through it too and ended up with uneven readings on the final pull. That parts counter advice probably saved you a set of studs down the road.

taylor_patel14d ago

Wait, hold up. That parts counter guy actually told you to do three passes? I mean, I've heard of guys taking their time but that sounds extreme. Did he say why? I feel like most people just blast through it and hope for the best, so hearing someone actually spell it out like that is kinda wild. Maybe it's just me but I always figured torque angle was more of a feel thing, not something you'd break into three separate steps. That must have taken forever on your first set of studs.

nathankim20d ago

Walt sounds like my uncle who still swears by adjustable wrenches and brake cleaner.