Never on small bolts & nuts

[Stig / Major Tom]

I never use a torque wrench on small bolts, drain plugs or nuts.
40 yrs of working with alloy VW cases taught me the "feel" I need to apply with the ratchet handle or wrench.
I never use a large ratchet handle on the sockets - too easy to lose the feel of what it's doing to the part being tightened. Too small a ratchet gives me the same problem - so rarely use long 1/2" or small 1/4" ratchets.

Axle nuts, rotor/caliper  fasteners and the 2 CVT nuts get special and careful attention - but any bolt, plug or nut that is simply holding back fluids which are not under Atomic Sub pressures - gets a "snug" with a fresh washer/gasket.....and that is about all I give with the wrench.

You won't strip out a spark plug or oil drain plug if you keep the torque wrench on the shelf...and use common sense and a 6>9", 3/8th drive ratchet. STOP when it is snug and the washer is squeezed - or follow the instructions on the spark plug box. Run it for a bit and check for leaks. I doubt you'll have any.

WHY don't I use torque wrenches very often? I do not trust the accuracy of any wrench's calibration when dealing with spark plugs and drain plugs. Items which require a fairly light touch.

Stig
 

[Rbj]

Thanks for the advice stig

[boo]

I also think it is a good idea to use anti-seize on aluminum and white metal, especially spark plug threads.

[Forbes1964]

Stig, I'll let you in on a little secret. As an auto mechanic, I seldom use a torque wrench other than where a PRECISE amount of torque is required. -- cylinder heads, connecting rods, crankshaft bearings, and diesel fuel injectors to name a few. But the VAST majority of other fasteners get the "it feels right" torque method. I find it to be quicker AND less prone to backing off than when using a torque wrench, especially if the threads are not PERFECT and PERFECTLY clean.

[ncsteve]

Another long-time auto tech and, more recently, community college auto tech instructor here.  I agree that using torque wrenches can be tricky. Developing a feel for bolts is hard for some people. I started my students out by having them put 6mm bolts in a vice and slowly breaking them with a ratchet. Then I would have them use a torque wrench on everything for awhile. After getting to know them individually, I would gradually wean them off the torque wrench except for two things: head bolts and lug nuts. I ALWAYS use a torque wrench on those parts. Just thought you might find my story interesting.

[MJR]

The biggest problem I see with most people is that they use the wrong size ratchet for the job. Smaller bolts I use the 1/4", larger I have a long handle flex head 3/8", and larger yet a long handle 1/2". Anytime someone uses a 3/8" ratchet on small like 8-10mm heads is asking for trouble. I'm a long time auto mechanic myself and use a torque wrench only on certain jobs but I would recommend them for folks that haven't done any wrenching and simply don't know what ratchet size to use on what fastener. Over time they hopefully get the feel of things or learn not to use an oversize tool.

[Stig / Major Tom]

Another long-time auto tech and, more recently, community college auto tech instructor here.  I agree that using torque wrenches can be tricky. Developing a feel for bolts is hard for some people. I started my students out by having them put 6mm bolts in a vice and slowly breaking them with a ratchet. Then I would have them use a torque wrench on everything for awhile. After getting to know them individually, I would gradually wean them off the torque wrench except for two things: head bolts and lug nuts. I ALWAYS use a torque wrench on those parts. Just thought you might find my story interesting.

Thanks for sharing your post.!!
I'm listening....
Stig