Tire shops - advice required before going ballistic

I once got a ticket for wheels, “Not Torqued to California specs” put on by an impact, (Banning) had to have a guy torque them all, as that’s the only thing he could find to write me up for.

 

1- Doesn't hurt anything, but the sidewall showing will be dirty. OCD would probably urge me to swap it back around because I like the date codes readable on the dish side.
2- As mentioned, short answer, no. I use a 3/4 Snappy and it will be close at "brap-brap-rap". I bought a torque stick also, and it seems to be fairly accurate 450-475# with my setup, in my shop. Shop supply air pressure, hose size, and gun used all are variables that will lower or raise the final torque.
3- Probably only when you're at a home shop you trust, or doing it yourself.
4- Pretty sure of it.

 

Unless there was a visible loose nut, rust streaking or obvious wheel damage, how the heck does such a subject even come up?

 

My tire dealership has torqued every lug nut for years….

 

Because the dude was on a power trip.
This was years ago before def trucks, i had it washed before going to the state of CA, but they had a tire repair truck on site already, i didn’t use him, figured it was a scam anyway.

He couldn’t believe an older truck and trailer could stand up to his inspection so he checked lugs on the level 1

 

If it was me then this narrative would be sent to
Pomp's Corporate Office
(800) 236-8911
1122 Cedar Street, Green Bay WI 54301
As well as the comments posted here.

 

As have every reputable tire shop in Canada due to law suits following wheel-off accidents and deaths for the last 10 or 12 years.
The law suits all seem to use the following:
Part A National Safety Code Standard 11:
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE MAINTENANCE STANDARD Section 9 Tires and Wheels Item and Inspection Criteria:
11. Wheel Fasteners (Nuts, Bolts and Studs) a) All wheel fasteners must be of the correct type, thread direction and style, and any nut must be fully engaged with the stud or the bolt. b) No wheel fastener shall be bent, broken, damaged or missing. c) All wheel fasteners must be secured per the torque value specified by OEM or industry standard.

 

I always bumped my impact for about a second after hand tightening all the lugs then torqued about a half crank to the final 475 ft lbs. But that's just me. I see guys hammer away with the impact and I'm thinking about stretched threads. I mean you don't see a wheel off every day but there's no reason a person should ever be hammering on there for more than one or maybe 2 seconds max...

 

One thing I never skip on is torquing safety related items. Wheels, wheel bearing jam nuts, u-bolts etc always get the torque wrench treatment. As do engines and components I rebuild.

 

Yeah I can't imagine anyone not taking proper torque procedure on rods or mains. Why in the world guess on a wheel end or lug nut? Yeah a wheel off never happens. But it only takes a minute extra to do it by the book and be sure.