I don't know how they do it.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

I use a torque wrench on lug nuts if I have one handy. It's not that rare a habit. It's how I was taught.

Do you know why? 

Hint - it's not to make sure it's tight.

To support the fat cat power brokers who have a stranglehold on the torque wrench market?

Boru

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

There is something to be said about hiring a professional to do certain repairs and maintenance.  But there is nothing wrong with someone who has the skill to do some of those things themselves and who derive a certain level of pleasure from accomplishing such tasks.  Dad had quite a collection of tools and other gadgets for both mechanical work and woodworking.  They were nearly as neat and clean as his surgical instruments.  And, by god, he knew if something was out of place and there was hell to pay for whoever put something away wrong or dirty.

Yeah, I've got nothing against DIY people (I actually have a kind of sneaking admiration for them).

My own father was one of those annoyingly competent people who could fix or build virtually anything.  Fortunately, he also knew his limitations and wasn't shy about calling in professionals (usually vets) as needed.

Boru

[Shell B]

Because of uneven distribution of weight.

Torque, but yeah basically.

But torque is measured in weight. I suppose I could have said pressure or force, but that's not how I hear it referred to. *shrugs*

[awty]

There is something to be said about hiring a professional to do certain repairs and maintenance.  But there is nothing wrong with someone who has the skill to do some of those things themselves and who derive a certain level of pleasure from accomplishing such tasks.  Dad had quite a collection of tools and other gadgets for both mechanical work and woodworking.  They were nearly as neat and clean as his surgical instruments.  And, by god, he knew if something was out of place and there was hell to pay for whoever put something away wrong or dirty.

Yeah, I've got nothing against DIY people (I actually have a kind of sneaking admiration for them).

My own father was one of those annoyingly competent people who could fix or build virtually anything.  Fortunately, he also knew his limitations and wasn't shy about calling in professionals (usually vets) as needed.

Boru

Dad was a vet.  So his talents were pretty varied.  He helped pay his way through vet school working on heavy equipment, which was his job during his time in the Navy.

[The Valkyrie]

I have to admit to knowing little about wngines.

I generally throw money at people to make car problems go away.

Saying that, I only go to one regular place so we know each other.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

My Da was a farmer (with all the skills that entails).  Had tremendous respect for vets.

Boru

[awty]

My Da was a farmer (with all the skills that entails).  Had tremendous respect for vets.

Boru

Dad grew up on a farm so I understand that.

I told him once that I was in awe of the way he could diagnose different animals when they couldn't tell him where it hurt or what was wrong.  His response was that they can't lie to you either.  Point taken.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Kind of wish Da had called in the vet more often, to save me and the brothers from having to deal with the squidgy bits.  Spent part of my 6th birthday helping to restore a prolapsed uterus.

Good times.

Boru

[onlinebiker]

It's to prevent run-out on your brake rotors IIRC.

Because of uneven distribution of weight.

Sorry for delay - company in r/l....


Nope.

Reason - does not apply on older vehicles with drum.brakes.


Uneven torque on the wheel hub can warp disc brake rotors. Disc rotors must run true within .0001 of an inch or so - or you will get pulsing in the brakes - and wear things out quickly
...

[awty]

Kind of wish Da had called in the vet more often, to save me and the brothers from having to deal with the squidgy bits.  Spent part of my 6th birthday helping to restore a prolapsed uterus.

Good times.

Boru

Though I have never heard the term 'squidgy bits', I knew exactly what you meant.    

Dad's office was in the house so even when pretty young I knew that a call about a prolapse was a get on the radio immediately and alert dad.  That and milk fever or a cow that needed 'cleaning'.  urp

Dad often did post mortems on baby pigs in our driveway...which is not in keeping with most neighborhood activities in full view of anyone who drove by.

Growing up with an operating table just feet from the kitchen table was an interesting setup.  One thing I learned early on was not to be squeamish about innards.  I thought things got a little dicey at the farm...things got real, um, interesting at home or out on calls with dad.