Torque sticks

Could I ask your help regarding torque sticks for use on either alloy or steel wheel-bolts? Are they accurate and safe? Apparently GM and Audi are against using them, but Toyota and Honda are not. Can they be used with cordless and 12-volt cable impact tools as well as air-guns? Sealey has them for sale and say theirs can be used on both. Does using a socket extension between the torque wrench and the wheel-bolt socket alter the torque value? Is using a tool like the Laser 4599 or Sealey STW290 to torque wheel-bolts as good as using a click-type torque wrench? J Mitchell I have not used, nor would I use a torque stick. The theory is that the pre-set torque value in the torque stick will allow it to tighten up the nut quickly to the set value using an air or impact wrench, when it will then begin to flex. The idea is to speed up the turnaround time. To my mind, this compromises safety – I have seen wheels come loose after being ‘zipped up’ with an air-gun. In my opinion, wheels should always be tightened by hand and set with a torque wrench.

As for your other questions, an extension between the socket and torque wrench will not alter the value of the torque being applied.

The Laser 4599 and Sealey STW290 are both used to read off torque in the drive between the socket and bar/ratchet, whichever is being used. They are as accurate as a standard torque wrench and should serve the purpose of ensuring the correct torque is applied to wheel-bolts, although being electronic, they may not be as robust in daily usage.