smxcan

What's the correct torque setting for the civic wheel nuts?
Is it 80 ft-lb?
Any problems with using a torque stick with an impact wrench?

RICO_

Yes it's 80 ft.lbs.

Just twist in the bolts by hand and use a torque wrench to tighten it down.

Don't forget to tighten them down in a "star" configuration.

HONDAPARTSMANMIKE

x2

smxcan

Thx for the quick & accurate response. I realized after posting, I should have checked the owners manual first.

The section on changing a flat tire had the same info as you stated.
https://techinfo.honda.com/rjanisis/...01_OMANUAL.asp

About actually setting the correct torque, I know a torque wrench will do the job. But I would prefer not to manually check the torque on 20 bolts per car, times 4 Civics that we have, and two times a year.

I have an impact wrench and I just ordered an 80 lb-ft torque stick to speed up the process.
There’s just so many mixed opinions on the web on using torque sticks and their accuracy, I wasn’t sure if they set an accurate-enough torque on each bolt.

Anyone have experience using torque sticks on impact wrenches?

SIVIC 3

tire bolts?

smxcan

my mistake... I said "tire bolts" but I meant "wheel nuts"

9KRevLimitDC2

I used them when i worked in a shop and they can give you mixed results. For cars that needed say 85 lbs/ft i used a torque stick measured at 80 and then used a torque wrench for the rest... its close but every time id use the torque wrench to check the accuracy there was no consistency with how close i was to the desired torque. I hope that makes sense. Also.. i used the ones that the shop provided so i know nothing of their quality/name brand.. so that may have affected their accuracy as well. I would always double check with a wrench. Just my .02

smxcan

Using a torque wrench after using a torque stick & impact wrench would get the job done, but then why even use the torque stick in the first place if a torque wrench will be used in the end?
I would think the torque stick would be used instead of the torque wrench to save time and the manual labor involved with torque wrenches.
The torque stick I got is made by Snap-on, since I can’t imagine a company like Snap-on making inaccurate tools.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=77357&group_ID=2219 &store=snapon-store&dir=catalog


You said you found the torque sticks you used were inaccurate. Any idea how many ft-lbs they were off by?
Could the power of the impact wrench also affect the final torque when a torque stick is used?

integra3586

are you kidding me? You're too lazy to torque the lug nuts on the cars you and your family drive every day? You think its too much of an inconvenience to check the torque to make sure a wheel doesn't come flying off why driving 80 mph?

It boggles my mind knowing how lazy people are with their safety.

smxcan

So if I understand you correctly, using a torque stick only does not torque the lug nuts on the car, is considered lazy, and is unsafe because the wheel will come off at 80 mph?!

If these sticks are so dangerous, why are they made or used?
Why are there specific torque rating on these sticks? Are they approximations?
Why do manufactures say they are accurate to +/- 3%?

I’m trying to find out answers, get opinions from people that have first hand experience using torque sticks, determine if they are as accurate as manufactures state.

Why use a torque stick that sets the torque and a torque wrench again IF it may not be needed?

‘Doing things twice is ridiculous.’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASl91ZcJZ7g

integra3586

its lazy because you basically said it would be too much work torquing all 20 lugs on your 4 civics. There is a very good reason all reputable tire shops use torque wrenchs along with torque sticks. a torque stick should just be used to get you close to the required torque then to be finished by a torque wrench.

also, torque sticks are only gonna be semi accurate if they are used correctly.

PS: i said 80 miles per hour not kilometers per hour

9KRevLimitDC2

I have to agree with all of what was said just above this post.. theyre used to speed up the process of getting near the desired torque.. but the safest and best bet is to re-check it with a torque wrench to avoid any and all potential problems. Theres too many variables involved when used a stick that just couldnt make the final step of using the wrench obsolete..