Got called out on my torque wrench technique back in '08

Was working a C-check on a 737 in Tulsa. Old timer saw me just going click and moving on. He said 'Kid, you ever listen for the second click? That's the real one.' Changed how I handle every bolt since. Anyone else have a simple tip that stuck with them for years?

3 comments

3 Comments

aaron1971mo ago

Back in '06 a mechanic showed me the paint pen trick on a wheel bearing nut. He said to mark the nut and the shaft after you hit torque, then back it off just to see if it moves smooth. If the marks don't line up again exactly when you re-torque, something's wrong. It's such a simple visual check but it saved me from a bad bearing assembly once. I still do it on anything critical.

the_river1mo ago

Is that really needed for every critical part? It sounds like extra work for a tiny chance of catching a problem. I'd just trust the torque wrench and move on.

robertsmith2d ago

Had a buddy who skipped the paint mark on his truck's ball joint nut. Three months later he's on the interstate and the whole joint lets go. Wheel folded under, truck spun into a ditch. Cost him thousands and he still walks with a limp. That little line of paint would have shown the nut backing off way before it got dangerous.