Used to torque by feel until I snapped a bolt on a 787 engine mount

That was about 4 years ago on a night shift. I was rushing to finish up and didn't grab my torque wrench for a few bolts. Snapped one clean off and the whole mount had to get reordered. Took two extra days to fix. Now I don't touch anything without checking the manual first. Anybody else have a close call that changed how you work?

3 comments

3 Comments

aaron_mitchell1mo ago

Read a study once that said something like 40% of mechanics have snapped a bolt at some point in their career. Sounds about right from the stories I hear around the shop. We all learn the hard way eventually I guess.

aaron_perry1mo ago

Thirty two bolts on a CRJ nose gear and I was feeling like a hotshot one Friday afternoon. Snapped one off flush with the gear leg and had to call an AOG team to drill it out. Now I torque everything twice like a nervous mom checking the front door lock. Ngl my torque wrench gets more action than my social life these days.

hugos461mo ago

Nah man, those CRJ nose gear bolts are 12 point not 6 point, that's probably why you got in trouble. Easy mistake but the manual calls that out for a reason.