I just bought a cordless impact wrench to leave in my car and came across torque sticks and ordered a set, just wondering if any members use them or are they overkill? I already have a torque wrench but don't really want to buy another one just for the car. Thanks.

*it seemed cheaper to buy the torque sticks than another torque wrench, especially if it's only going to be used in an emergency.

I guess they work, but I don't trust them.

That's what I need. My 20V DeWalt breaks studs easily, ask me how I know.

I did for years when I was a car mechanic. I never had any issues.

I use them pretty extensively, but still follow up with a torque wrench. If anything, they under-tighten slightly.

Use them and also follow up with a torque wrench

I now use an 18V Milwaukee 1/2" driver. But still follow with my 60+ year old Proto torque wrench. It's been in the family as long as I remember.

I use one under the speced torq and then follow up with a torque wrench.

I have this set:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/pr..._title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This message has been edited. Last edited by: eyrich,

Theyre not accurate. I use a torque wrench.

They suck. they are not designed for getting the correct torque,just avoiding an initial overtorquing and getting in the ballpark. Buy a quality torque wrench and use it. Unless you are trying to maximize throughput (you know like in a tire store) you should absolutely use a torque wrench after. Since I think we are talking personal vehicles, why bother.

I'm going to add a bit to this. If its an emergency and temporary till you can get things sorted I would have no issue using them. But I would also just give the lug nuts a quick manual check as well (by hand not a torque wrench). But based on my experience your battery impact wrench will probably be dead anyway when you need it unless you invest in a car charger or rotate batteries weekly etc. etc.
And of course all of this has a small amount of relationship to what is the vehicle. Its one thing to deal with your subaru and the recommended 70 foot pounds and another for your Fseries pickup and 165 foot pounds.

They work great with an air wrench with the correct air pressure.

However, they are not accurate with the battery powered impacts. A good DeWalt or Milwaukee will overtighten the nuts when using the sticks.

Now, go down to your local Home Depot and buy a nice long handle, 1/2" torque wrench, normally $89 on sale for $49.
They were up front where the black Friday and Christmas deals are located. They are one of the nicer wrenches on the market.

Out on the road, when you only have your star wrench or the in car wrench, you better have a feel for the good torque range.

One time after a a brake inspection at my local tire chain store, I had gone maybe a half mile and the car suddenly shook like crazy. I immediately pulled over and got out the in car wrench. I gave the tire shop hell later.

And with old steel wheels like a 65-66 Mustang.....If the tapered wheel holes are wallowed out from many air wrenches, get new wheels. Don't ask me how I know about this.

Since I always do a torque wrench, I use a 18v Ryobi 1/4" hex impact driver with an adapter to seat all the lugs evenly to start with. I see no reason to get them anything but uniformly seated if I'm following with the old Craftsman beam torque wrench anyway. I haven't had brake pulsation in so long on any car, I can't remember when that might have ever been a thing.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 83v45magna,

Thanks to all that have replied; I think I'm going to be buying another torque wrench.