torque settings on various parts

Cameron wrote in article ...

They may not have the actual OEM shop manual for each car - which is what Helm produces/distributes - but most professional garages have either Motors/Chilton/Mitchell manuals or they subscribe to something such as All-Data to access technical information via computer as they need it.

Bob Paulin - R.A.C.E. Chassis Analysis Services

Having with great difficulty just removed wheel nuts off my Nissan which were tightened by my dealer to a torque of probably over 100 ft-lb, I strongly doubt whether mechanics (here in Melbourne at least) worry too much about exact torques. I admire the mechanics on this newsgroup who do believe in using a torque wrench.

Henry

Good one. Years ago, when I brought my Explorer into a Ford dealer for a warranty-covered seat track repair, I asked the shop manager to have the technician follow the torque spec in the technical service bulletin (which I provided.) He said: "Look, Buddy, I'm not going to lie to you, we just use an impact wrench." (No Torque Stik I guess)

When I got the vehicle back, he told me he DID in fact direct the technician use a torque wrench. Who knows if he really did. I always recommend that EVERYONE get a torque wrench and double-check their wheel lug nuts at least. (Many manuals want you to re-check the lugnuts after a certain number of miles after a wheel is removed and replaced anyway.) And of course you MUST use a torque wrench for certain jobs, including replacing spark plugs and certain engine work.