It’s common for us to get in jobs where costly mistakes could have been avoided had the right tools been used. Below, we’ll discuss the top 3 (wrong) tool-related problems we see here at the shop:
1. Pullers
Not using the correct puller can lead to the most costly mistakes when it comes to using the wrong tool for the job. Although there are many types of pullers, the two most common where we see (unnecessary) damage occur relate to flywheel and clutch pullers. We often find that people will either use the wrong puller or tools designed for an entirely different purpose (hammers, screwdrivers, pry bars, etc.). What results is damage to the flywheel or clutch, such as: bending, stripping threads, knocking magnets loose, and occasionally damage to the crankshaft itself. In short, bypassing using the correct tool for one that may be cheaper or more convenient does not pay off in the case of pullers.
2. Whitworth
Although this only applies to antique British bikes, it is worth talking about since we service so many of them. Whitworth is a sizing system that deviates from the standard or metric systems that most are familiar with. For example, on a standard 9/16 wrench, the measurement would be from flat to flat. On a Whitworth 9/16, the measurement represents the diameter of the bolt shaft rather than the head. Using a standard or a metric tool when a Whitworth is required will result in damage to the bolts- and can easily strip them to where they require expert extraction.
See the difference? TOP: Standard 9/16 BOTTOM: Whitworth 9/16
3. Torque Wrench
A torque wrench is designed to get the proper “tightness” for its application. Just like the Goldilocks tale of “not too hot, not too cold”, sometimes specific applications require a level of precision that can only be acquired with the help of a torque wrench. While we more commonly see over-tightened problems versus under-tightened issues, both can be costly and are easily prevented with use of the right tool. Some of the problems we see with over-tightening are broken/stripped bolts, whereas under-tightening more commonly causes bolts to simply come loose and back-out.
As always, if you have a question about what tool to use for the job, feel free to give us a call at (740) 747-2299.
