That moment I realized I was torquing lug nuts with my arms instead of using a torque wrench

For about two years I just tightened my brake caliper brackets by feel and thought they were fine. Last week my front passenger side started a low growl on right turns and I found two bolts backed out about a half turn. Anyone else learn the hard way that hand tight isn't enough for caliper hardware?

3 comments

3 Comments

rosel832d ago

My 2005 Civic has 180k miles and I've never once torqued caliper bracket bolts to spec. I just use a normal socket wrench and get them snug, check them after a few miles. Never had a bolt back out on me. Maybe I'm just lucky but I feel like people overthink this stuff if you're not tracking the car or driving on rough roads every day.

richardh442d ago

I mean yeah, hand tight just doesn't cut it on caliper brackets. I use a little blue Loctite now too just for peace of mind, saves you from having to check them every few months.

schmidt.willow2d ago

Actually my 2005 Accord is at 160k and I always just snugged them up like rosel83 said, figured it was fine. But last year I had one of the caliper bolts loosen up on me after a long highway trip and it made this nasty grinding noise. I pulled over and it was barely finger tight, scared me pretty bad. So I gotta agree with @richardh44 now, blue Loctite is cheap insurance. I started using it on my last brake job and it makes me feel way better driving my daughter around in that car. Never thought I'd be the guy obsessing over brake bolt torque but here I am.