I have to agree and disagree with your mechanic. The fools are using the
impact wrench improperly. They have the maximum impact set to high and then
when operating, they continue to apply and re-apply and re-apply just to
make sure. If the torque is set and used correctly the impact wrench will
not damage your bolts.
We used to set the torque as low as we could, use the impact wrench as a
speed tool and then always recheck the old fashion way, by hand. To many,
mechanics, and I use that term loosely don't know the power they hold in
their hands.
Because you do not know the condition of the wheel lugs, I would replace
them.
Just my $0.02, but then again, mine is "In Still More Pieces". (One of
these days the destruction will stop and the construction will start.)
Brent
----- Original Message -----
From: <Lancer7676@aol.com>
To: <Spridgets@autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, October 15, 1999 6:31 AM
Subject: A couple of Problems.
> I had a couple of problems develop yesterday with my '79 Midget. I
noticed
> on the drive from work that the brake pedal was lower and harder than
usual
> so I decided to check it out as soon as I arrived home. Popped the hood
and
> sure enough, the rear MC reservoir was completely empty and the forward
res.
> was only half full. Checked around the MC for leakage--none apparant.
> Pulled the front wheels first--no leakage from the calipers that I could
> see--everything dry. Pulled the rear wheels--there was some dampness
around
> the passenger side wheel but none that I could see around the wheel
cylinder.
> Neither on the driver's side. There WAS a very small amount of black
grease
> that probably seeped from the axle housing, but there was no wetness
around
> the wheel cylinders, which, by the way, I had rebuilt within the past
year.
> While I had the rear wheels off I looked at the hose connections above the
> axle housing--didnt see anything there.
>
> Filled the MC reservoir and bled the rear lines--topped everything up and
got
> back the brake pedal--it feels good now. I can't figure out where the
fluid
> leaked from. I figure I will closely monitor the brake fluid levels and
see
> how quickly it leaves. Any ideas will be appreciated.
>
> Now--another problem that developed. In replacing BOTH front wheels, and
> tightening the lug nuts with arm strength only, no body weight at all, I
> snapped off 1 lug bolt per wheel. I called my mechanic who has a supply
of
> bolts, and he said that was from fools (DPO, not me) putting the wheels
back
> on with Air wrenches. They apply too much torque and will eventually
break
> the lugs. Soooo--I am wondering whether I should replace ALL the lug
bolts,
> not knowing how many others might be stressed by some fool with an air
> weapon. If they snap with only ARM strength, might they snapas well in a
> tight curve at 55 mph? Something to thinkabout for all of us!
>
> ----David C.
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