Over tightened lug nut problem 90 sport 90 q

[AudiBiTurbo at aol.com]

I NEVER use a torque stick.  It's common for them to be 20% off (yes,
probably good enough... but), and it IS possible to overtighten a lug with a
stick.... after it "gives," hit the trigger one more time to be sure.  Yup,
that'll do it.

Anyhow, a LOT of shops still use an impact gun (no torque stick or wrench) to
remove bolts that use a locking "key" (a big no-no), and they also use them
to tighten!  Personally, I've repaired a lot of damaged VWs and Audis.  It's
a real PITA, only once have I had to replace the hub assembly, but it costs
the customer several hours of labor to do carefully.  Hand drilling out
hardened material is NOT fun.  And heat is not a great option to help- if you
get it hot enough to expand the metal, you'll do damage to the wheel bearing
and seals.  But $100 in labor is still cheaper than wheel bearing assembly.

And to prove they were the last to work on the car?  Good luck!  How long
does it really take to hand tighten the bolts and torque them down *properly*
with a torque wrench?

Mark Rosenkrantz (shaking his head)
AudiBiTurbo at aol.com