A wheel slings off of a trailer, screaming down the highway like a missile. One bounce across the median barrier and smash. The result: one destroyed SUV, two injuries, one fatality and multiple lawsuits.
This is bad news for anyone involved: the poor family in the SUV, the shamed truck driver and the company that serviced the wheel last. It is an embarrassment that such life-altering news actually exists.
Let’s rewind and see how this could have been avoided. No, not back to when the technician began the wheel-end service. Let’s go back further, to when the company’s torque program was being created.
JUST SUPPOSE
A few years ago, your company had a close call with a wheel-off and it has come down from the top that you are in charge of making sure a wheel-off doesn’t happen again. After some sleepless nights and much review, you decide that the new torque wrenches and a training session are key to getting a handle on wheel-offs.
This is the most common reaction to wheel-offs and other wheel-end liabilities. Infusing uniformity across all shops by purchasing new torque wrenches is a good start, but if you truly want results, you have to account for the other variables when applying torque.
TORQUE PROGRAMS
Companies across the country have developed torque programs – some good, some bad. A torque program is a planned series of developed actions and methods that, if managed properly, will reduce liability, rework and warranty work while increasing safety and service results.
Just because your company has new torque wrenches and your technicians went to a seminar on torque one Thursday afternoon doesn’t mean that you’re out of the woods when it comes to wheel-offs. Think of your torque program as a four-legged chair. If your chair is missing a leg, it’s not a good place to sit, right?
The goal of a torque program is to eliminate variables through three keys:
1. Uniformity.
2. Consistency.
3. Confidence.
The following are the pillars that have been recognized to support successful torque programs.
- Best Practices – Training
We can all agree that education is important. Education gives us the knowledge, skills and habits for success.
Technicians should be trained to properly use and care for torque tools, whether they are technician or company-owned tools. In addition, technicians should be provided initial and on-going training to industry standards and your company’s torque procedure from the moment a wheel is taken off to final torque.
There are educational options, such as the Tire Industry Association and TTI Torque University, which both provide several practical hands-on educational training possibilities.
- Documented Processes
Documentation is a standard that can direct a user from start to finish in the most effective way possible. Technicians that are trained to and follow a documented process will produce more uniform service results.
If your processes are in question, I recommend a third-party benchmark. The company that benchmarks your program will be able to measure your company’s processes against industry standards, find points of liability and provide resolution.
Another good resource is the Technology & Maintenance Council, which has a wealth of knowledge and resources.
- Approved and Certified Torque Tools
The right torque tool for your shop and over-the-road trucks is critical. Proper torque wrenches and torque limiting tools will be user friendly, durable and should demonstrate repeatable results.
There are many tools on the market and sometimes it can be difficult to decide on the right torque tools. Contact a third party to get balanced input. Another good source is to test a tool in your shop and ask for feedback from your technicians on what they see as advantages or disadvantages.
- On-Going Calibration
Even if your company has been providing high-level torque training for its technicians and the technicians are using brand new torque tools, the wheel-end services that are being performed are only as accurate as the torque wrench. Torque tools are precision instruments that require regular service to ensure accuracy.
Torque tool manufacturers have requirements that will state calibration after a certain quantity of “clicks” or after a specific amount of time. For example: Calibration every 5,000 clicks or annually, whichever occurs first.
Ongoing ISO:17025 calibration will not only keep your torque tools accurate, but it will reduce the likelihood of costly tool repairs and will reduce wheel-offs in your future.
The vendor you choose for calibration should be ISO:17025 accredited, deliver a fast turnaround time and maintain dedication to the highest level of program management.
BENEFITS
Companies that implement the torque program described in this column find that their inventory of torque tools have a longer lifespan and consistent accuracy, in addition to reduced liability and increased customer confidence.
Remember, a properly trained technician, following a documented process and using approved torque tools that are calibrated on an on-going cycle has proven results.
Lee M. Winterberg is the director of national accounts and senior consultant for Team Torque (www.TeamTorque.com), an independent, ISO:17025 accredited torque tool calibration and repair lab. The company has specialized in supporting companies large and small to develop and manage best-practice torque programs to increase safety and reduce liability through ISO:17025 Accredited Torque Toll Service for more than 25 years.
