The Last Word
Last word
the
John G. Smith | Contributing Editor | info@wordsmithmedia.ca
Wheel Torque
might actually have the solutions
SOLUTIONS
I
Related tools come in the form of Chicago Pneumatic nventors seem to come out of the woodwork in sanders and polishers to properly clean mounting faces, the days after a coroner's inquest, and all of them metal sleeves to guide the wheels into position, specially promise to solve a related mechanical issue. "If only designed nut-runners and impact wrenches. this was in place," they say about their creations, "lives Pac-Sleeve nuts, for example, incorporate a stack of would be saved." five internal washers that will deflect 30 thousandths of The months and years that followed an Ontario inan inch as they are pulled together, compared to a solid quest into runaway truck wheels were no exception, refastener that will deflect a maxivealing every conceivable gadget, mum of 19 thousandths of an inch gizmo and gimmick to hold wheels in the face of 60,000 pounds of tight. I remember being introclamping force. The extra deflecduced to everything from sensors The real solution tion is designed to compensate for that measure hub temperatures to the flexing, temperature changes, a wire tether that promised to hold is training and expansion and contraction that onto a loose wheel like a dog at the following proper can take place during normal opend of a leash. procedures. eration, and addresses the wide The real solutions always came variation in nuts and bolts that back to a need for proper training, currently are on the market. a good torque wrench and the right After the mounting surfaces are procedures in the shop. But there cleaned properly with the related tools, a ½-inch driver was obviously room for improvement since torque values also is used to seat two or three long metal sleeves onto still are expected to be rechecked after an installation. the wheel bolts. The wheels are slipped over the sleeves It is why my interest was piqued after interviewing that ensure everything is seated in the proper position, several experts about a system that has been unveiled by nuts are lubricated and spun onto the bolts, and then Wheel Torque Solutions--a consortium of suppliers ineverything is tightened with a Blue Tork electric nut runcluding Alcoa, B&D Cold Heading, Chicago Pneumatic ner. The electronic tools scan and confirm the exacting and ITW CIP. Together, they appear to have unveiled torque values of each installation. tools and products that will maintain higher clamp loads Will some of your fleet customers balk at the thought and actually eliminate the root causes of many wheel offs. of replacing all of their wheels, fasteners and tools? One of the most interesting factors is the way the Sure. But the system certainly will deserve a close look individual pieces work together to solve an array of isby your severe-service customers that are plagued by sues. Pac-Sleeve laminated lock nuts are combined with ongoing wheel losses. strengthened B&D bolts and Alcoa aluminum wheels This may include the solution they've been waiting for. that are thicker than usual where the fasteners are applied.
40 | SUCCESSFUL DEALER | April 2010