Just realized I used to hand-tighten lug nuts until they 'felt right', but after a wheel came loose on a customer's truck last year, I switched to a torque wrench every single time.

I'm curious, do you guys still go by feel for stuff like that, or are you strictly by-the-book with torque specs now?

3 comments

3 Comments

Going by feel is a great way to over-tighten and snap a bolt. Torque specs exist for a reason, especially on critical parts. It's just not worth the risk anymore.

christopher3211mo ago

And that's how you end up with a real expensive paperweight.

barbara4291mo ago

My dad's been a mechanic for forty years and still does it by feel.