A shop foreman said my torque wrench technique was 'all in the wrist'

He watched me tighten a head bolt and pointed out I was pulling from the elbow, not a smooth full-arm motion. I switched to his method and my readings are way more consistent now. Anyone else get called out on a basic skill they thought they had down?

3 comments

3 Comments

dylan2317d ago

Rebuilt three engines that way" is a solid argument. But if the shop guy's method gets you more consistent numbers on the gauge, maybe the old way was just good enough to not blow up. Sounds like you found a better repeatable feel.

coleman.jade17d ago

My dad taught me to use my elbow and shoulder like a lever when I was fifteen. I've rebuilt three engines that way and never had a bolt strip. Sometimes it's less about the "right" technique and more about what gives you a repeatable feel. I'd trust your own consistent results over someone else's method.

michaelnguyen14d ago

Oh man, that's such a real shop lesson. It's all about getting that smooth pull so the click doesn't surprise you. If you're jerking from the elbow, you're basically adding your own muscle spasm into the final number. The wrist flick lets the tool do the work at the very end. Consistent gauge readings don't lie, you just leveled up.