Wisconsin Automotive News Fall 2015

Fall 2015

Freedom High School Auto Repair Education Update2016 WACTAL Spring Conference Information

PLUS:

The Official Publication of the Wisconsin Auto Collision Technicians Association Ltd.

www.grecopublishing.com

WAN Fall 2015 1-20.qxp_* December AASP 10/26/15 6:57 PM Page 1

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2014-2015 WACTALBOARD of DIRECTORS

PresidentLarry TerrienMJ Collision [email protected]

Vice PresidentMark WilliamsWilliams Auto [email protected]

Secretary/TreasurerRonnie GossGoss Auto Body, [email protected]

DirectorsJames BryhanBryhan's Body & Paint Specialists

Eileen HabermanGlen's Auto Body, Inc.

Randy JohanssonFinishMaster

Art KrolikowskiReedsburg Auto Body Inc.

Mike MiyagawaM & M Auto Body Inc.

Michael TaylorZimbrick Chevrolet-Sun Prairie

Tracy BlackDean’s Auto Body, Inc.

Association AdministrationSue [email protected] / [email protected](800) 366-9482

LobbyistJolene [email protected]

Wisconsin Automotive News is published quarterly by Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc., 244Chestnut Street, Suite 202 Nutley, NJ 07110. Distributed free to qualified recipients; $48 toall others. Additional copies of Wisconsin Automotive News are available at $5 per copy.Reproduction of any portions of this publication is specifically prohibited without written per-mission of the publisher. The opinions and ideas appearing in this magazine are not neces-sarily representations of Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. or of WACTAL. Copyright © 2015 byThomas Greco Publishing, Inc. Cover image © www.istock.com

Fall 2015 Vol. 3 Number 1

ADVERTISER’S INDEX

PUBLISHED BY: Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc.

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ADVERTISING: 973-667-6922 • [email protected]

PUBLISHER: Thomas Greco ([email protected])

DIRECTOR OF SALES: Alicia Figurelli ([email protected])

MANAGING EDITOR: Jacquelyn Bauman ([email protected])

EDITOR: Joel Gausten ([email protected])

ART DIRECTOR: Lea Velocci ([email protected])

OFFICE MANAGER: Donna Greco ([email protected])

www.grecopublishing.com

Axalta Coatings........................................OBCBody Shop Supply ..................................4Buerkle Hyundai ......................................8Dentsmart ................................................15International Autos Waukesha..................8LKQ..........................................................IBC

Morrison’s Auto Parts ..............................IFCP&L Consultants......................................15Steck Manufacturing ................................16Straight and Square ................................12West Bend Mutual Insurance ..................6Zorn Compressor & Equipment ..............12

3Fall 2015

CONTENTSPRESIDENT’S MESSAGE........................................................5It’s a Great Time to Be a WACTAL Memberby Larry Terrien

WACTAL “RECRUIT-A-MEMBER” PROGRAM ..................................5

LOCAL NEWS ....................................................................7Updating Automotive Repair Education at Freedom High Schoolby Jacquelyn Bauman

WACTAL SPRING 2016 CONFERENCE INFORMATION ..........................9

FEATURE STORY ................................................................10An Industry in Crisis? A WACTAL Round Table Discussionby Jacquelyn Bauman

WACTAL MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ................................................13Aerco Collision, Altoona, WIby Jacquelyn Bauman

TALKING TECHNICAL ................................................................14Torque Wrench Use and Maintenanceby Larry Montanez III, CDA & Jeff Lange, PE

WACTAL BENEFIT PROGRAM ..................................................17

WACTAL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION ........................................18

SAVE THE DATE!2016 WACTAL Convention & Trade Show

February 26-27, 2016Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells

(More information on page 9)


4 Fall 2015


“Recruit-a-Member”Member Program

For each member an existing WACTAL member recruits, the sponsoring (existing)member will receive a one-time $50 credit toward their membership dues.

There is no limit on the number of members an existing member can recruit.If the dollar amount of the credits exceeds the sponsoring member’s annual dues,

the excess amount will carry forward to subsequent years.

No monies will be paid out and credits cannot be cashed out. Credits cannot be split amongst multiple members.

The sponsoring member’s individual and business name must be listed on the new member’s Application for Membership as the sponsoring member.

If the new member had been a WACTAL memberduring the prior calendar year, no commission will be allowed.

This program can be rescinded or amended without prior notice. In the event theprogram is rescinded or amended, credits for applications received after the change will beprocessed under the new program. No credits will be issued if the program is rescinded.

There are many new and exciting things happen-ing at WACTAL. First, our new website is up andrunning (wactal.com). Please check it out and let usknow what you think! If you find any corrections thatare needed or have suggestions for additions orimprovements, please let us know.We are making headway on legislative issues. Our

steering bill has passed unanimously in the Senateand is now awaiting an Assembly hearing. Progress isalso being made on the vehicle information labelissue. We have had several positive talks with repre-sentatives of the Department of Transportation andthe State Patrol. There will be more news on this inthe next issue.The most tangible, money-saving benefit avail-

able to WACTAL members is the business insurancethrough West Bend Mutual Insurance. This programoffers a premium discount and some enhanced

coverage. With the average savings of more than$600, this more than covers the cost of membership.One of the newest WACTAL benefits, the

Personal Concierge Program, is also now availableand going well (see page 17). This is a great tool to“steer” customers to your shop before they contactsomeone else.Along with other issues on the horizon (consol-

idators, mandated parts procurement, steering, etc.), itis now more imperative than ever for you to getinvolved and stay informed. It’s a great time to be aWACTAL member!

Larry TerrienPresidentWisconsin Auto Collision Technicians Association Ltd. (WACTAL)

It’s a Great Time to Be aWACTAL Member

WAN

Fall 2015 5

President’sMESSAGE


6 Fall 2015


LocalNEWS

In the automotive repair industry, one of the greatest goods ispreparing the next generation of repairers. Yet just as the industry isever changing, the education to create future technicians must evolveas well.

At Freedom High School in Freedom, WI, Automotive CollisionInstructor Jay Abitz is struggling to properly prepare his students for thecurrent automotive repair field when the only spray booth he has at hisdisposal is a cross draft spray booth that was purchased in 1972 duringhis father’s (Bob Abitz) tenure as an instructor. (Bob Abitz was aninstructor at Freedom High School for 35 years, a fact which Jay citesas the spark for his passion towards the program.)

“The spray booth is older than I am,” Jay Abitz jokes. “It works, it’sefficient and there’s nothing wrong with it, but my kids deserve better.”

Currently in the process of making the transition to waterborne(and already equipped with a waterborne mixing system, courtesy ofSherwin-Williams), Abitz is hoping to raise the funds necessary to installa new, waterborne capable semi-downdraft spray booth in his school.

“Installing this spray booth would give my students the quality ofequipment they deserve. When they go into their first job, I don’t wantthem to see something better than what they were trained on. I wantthem to be prepared and waterborne matches the standard in theindustry. In the spray booth we currently have, my students are usingsolvent-based paints, getting experience with that process of sprayingand drying.”

Abitz has been working to raise money for the new spray booth forthe past five years through programs such as golf outings, car shows,soliciting businesses and more. Thanks to a donation from the FoxValley Auto Body Association, Freedom High School is $3,000 closer totheir purchase, putting them at halfway to their goal.

“With this donation, the price of the spray booth is almost com-pletely covered,” Abitz explains. “However, the expensive part of theprocess is the installation. We have to take the old booth down andsome heating, electrical and lighting components above the potential

booth have to be rerouted and moved around. Plus, the new booth is alittle wider and longer than the one we currently have.”

Although the physical rearranging necessary to suit this projectmay sound daunting, Abitz notes that the progress is already ahead ofschedule.

“When I first set out to acquire a new booth for my students, mytimeline was to have it finished in 10 years,” he says. “While I’m a bitmore open-ended about it now, I think we could have one within thenext one to two school years.”

Every year, Abitz applies for the Collision Repair EducationFoundation’s Ultimate Collision Education Makeover Grant, and accord-ing to Abitz, he has been close on a number of different occasions.

The Freedom High School collision repair program, which typicallysees between 120-150 students per year, is a full program open to allstudents from their sophomore year forward. It is the one of the fewextensive collision repair programs that is part of a general educationhigh school as opposed to a vocational technical school.

“Our collision repair education really stands apart, in my opinion,”Abitz says. “We have a full collision repair program, in which we do

hands-on training on simulated repairs, and yet we do live work as well.We work on the students’ cars, on faculty cars and on cars in the com-munity. This teaches students how to repair the vehicles to get back outon the road. To do that kind of work in this setting is amazing. Plus, wealso do restoration, custom work and more. I try to expose them to a lotof different facets of this industry.”

The program and the after school auto club at Freedom HighSchool have both been featured from February to July in PopularMechanics (popularmechanics.com/cars/a16861/the-freedom-high-auto-club/).

For those that are interested in helping to advance the goals ofFreedom High School and who might like to donate, contact Jay Abitzat (920) 788-7940 extension 1355 or email him at [email protected].

Fall 2015 7

Abitz’s students currently use solvent-based paints to gain experience.

by Jacquelyn Bauman

In addition to collision repair, students learn restoration and custom work.

Updating AutomotiveRepair Education atFreedom High School

WAN


Fall 20158


Fall 2015 9

WACTAL Spring 2016 Conference

February 26-27, 2016Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells

S3214 County Road BDBaraboo, WI 53913(800) 746-2486

Thanks to our sponsors!BASFMorrison’s Auto Parts (morrisonsauto.com)Motors Service & Supply (motorsservice.com)

I-CAR classes being held are as follows:NEW16-Vehicle Technology and Trends 2016APR01-Aluminum Exterior Panel Repair & ReplacementFOM01-Automotive FoamCPS01-Corrosion ProtectionWKR01-Hazardous Materials, Personal Safety & Refinish SafetyCYC01-Overview of Cycle Time Improvements for the Collision Repair Process

Featuring our speaker program, “Building Relationships” by Bill Morrison, owner of Morrison’s Auto Parts

Have you felt like you have lost control of your company? Have you felt like you no longer know what to expect day by day

from your company? If so, and you have a couple of hours to spend, we have the answer for you. This two-hour session will be based

around OUR words to build sales and run more efficiently in 2016.The first segment will focus on building customer relationships and

understanding what your customers’ expectations are from your company. The second segment is about building vendor and team relationships,

teaching you how to understand what your vendors and team membersexpect from you and what you should expect from them.

Morrison’s Auto Parts is a Wisconsin family-run auto-recycling business. Bill is a hands-on day to day operations owner. He believes what he has learned over the past 30 years applies to the body shop industry, as well

as the auto-recycling industry. With over 60 team members at Morrison’s Auto Parts, he faces the same challenges and feels

every day offers a new learning experience.


10 Fall 201510

FeatureSTORY

An Industry in Crisis?A WACTAL Round Table Discussion

By Jacquelyn Bauman

The state of the Wisconsin automotive repair industry is currentlyat a precipice. With the height of insurer interference in daily business,multi-shop organizations and franchises on the horizon and rapidlyupdating vehicle technology, many in the local automotive repair fieldare feeling tumultuous. Wisconsin Automotive News recently sat downwith WACTAL Board members Larry Terrien (president), Mark Williams(vice president), Ronnie Goss (secretary), Art Krolikowski and MichaelTaylor to discuss some of the major events happening in the industryand what might be done to improve the things that need fixing.

Wisconsin Automotive News: What would you say is the currentstate of the Wisconsin automotive repair industry?Michael Taylor: I think this is a difficult question in a broad sense toanswer because Wisconsin is a big area. What happens in Madison isvery different than what might be happening in Milwaukee. The onething I think is common is that no matter what, the industry is very com-petitive.

Art Krolikowski: Personally, I think our industry is in dire straights andheaded for disaster. Insurance companies are not paying us what theyshould and it’s a huge problem in our field. Mechanical guys are gettingwell over $90 an hour for their work, yet us collision repairers are strug-gling to get close to $60! Why is that? Insurer interference. Not only dothey refuse to pay a reasonable Labor Rate, but they often don’t pay fornecessary procedures to properly repair a vehicle. It’s almost impossi-ble to make any sort of a profit, let alone the kind of money necessaryto train your technicians, properly pay them or update your equipmentand tools for the more sophisticated cars coming out on the road. It’s abig problem.

Mark Williams: I definitely do think that the overall industry inWisconsin is probably behind the rest of the country. I serve on the I-CAR National Board, I attend NACE and I talk to shops across thecountry and the things happening in Wisconsin are way behind whatthey’re doing in other states. Everything from education to vehicletrends to consolidators. We’re way off mark right now.

Larry Terrien: Most of the more rural areas of the country like ushaven’t gotten hit with the high volume MSO shops as much as thehigher populated areas of the country have because the culture of therural Midwest values personal relationships and quality craftsmanship.People out here like the feel of a smaller, local business, knowingthey’re treated like family and not just as a number. The industry overall

has gotten better as far as quality repairs due to consumer awareness,social media and technician training. Unfortunately, as far as shop ratesand technician salaries, they haven’t kept up with the increases that wesee in other industries. Shop rates and technician pay have increasedbut only at a slow pace, being aggressively suppressed by insurancecompanies.

Ronnie Goss: I think the repair industry in Wisconsin is holding on, justlike our economy. We are working harder trying to get more done withless; the cash flow just isn’t there to buy all the equipment one mightwant. I think the quality of the repair has gotten better through educa-tion of the technician and the insurance company; however, there is stillroom for improvement. With that being said, how can we put aftermar-ket parts on a car that still has a warranty, or on a lease vehicle?

WAN: What would you say is the biggest challenge currently facing automotive repairers in Wisconsin?MW: Without a doubt the biggest challenge is insurance companies. It’sdifficult getting them to do the right thing for the customers, which ishard with the way they’re taking advantage of shops right now. Many ofthe things we’re facing in Wisconsin aren’t happening in other statesand I think legislation has a lot to do with it. As an association, we’reactively pursuing legislation to deal with what insurers are rammingdown our throats.

AK: I agree that insurers are our biggest problem. Everything stemsfrom their inability to pay us sufficiently for the work that we do. Ifthere’s an issue with training it’s because we can’t afford it. If there’s anissue with getting new technicians into the field, it’s because salariesare low. If we’re improperly tooled or equipped, it’s because we can’tmake any investments in the new products on the market. It all comesdown to not getting paid what we deserve. At my shop, we’ve come toterms with the fact that our Labor Rate isn’t going to be fair, so we’veput a lot of our focus on just arguing to get paid for the necessary workthat we do. Even that is a challenge.

LT: I don’t think there’s anyone who would disagree with the fact thatinsurance companies are the biggest thorn in our sides right now. Manydon’t pay for what needs to be done to repair a vehicle back to pre-crash condition. We are usually able to get close to our initial estimatein the end, but it takes many hours of administrative work and some-times arguing to get paid for obvious procedures that are required.


11Fall 2015 11

RG: This was by far the easiest question. The Labor Rates are definite-ly the biggest challenge. Without an increase in Labor Rates, there isno new equipment, there are no new technicians, no new, young shopowners, etc., which the industry needs. The industry is working so hardthough that people don’t take the time to tackle these issues together.Our field is the path we all chose in life, yet all I hear is people com-plaining. Let’s try to make it better! This is where the association canOur association is only as strong as our membership, and we could use some help.

MT: I think there are a lot of different pressures being applied to us.Regardless, the shrinking profits are causing difficulty in employeeretention, the ability to invest in equipment and training, maintaining afacility and more. That has a direct effect on repair shops.

WAN: What has been the impact of the aluminum-intensive 2015Ford F-150 now that it’s been out on the roads for a year?LT: The impact has been negligible at this point. There was a lot ofhype with the introduction of the F-150, but we’ve been working on alu-minum panels for years. I just see this as a gradual transition. Someshops have jumped in with both feet and are now just waiting for thealuminum work to come in the door, but most shops are converting littleby little or taking a wait-and-see approach.

RG: I don’t know of any independent shops that have made this invest-ment. The local dealerships near me had to, however.

AK: Even my local Ford dealership isn’t going to do it. He’s planning onsubletting the work because even he doesn’t have the money to investthe training, tools and equipment. I’m in truck country so I’m worriedabout it. They haven’t come through my doors yet but I know I’ll have toturn them away if they do.

MT: I think a few shops have made the investment into repairing alu-minum. It’s going to take a few years to get a return on the investments.

MW: Over the one-year period that the vehicle has been out on theroad, not much has changed.The cost of equipment has to come downbefore we jump onto those purchases. Structural repairs on aluminumare so few and far between that it doesn’t pay to invest in that equip-ment until the price comes down.

WAN: Where do you see the industry in the next 10 years or so?MT: Generally, I think we’re going to get more involved with the OEMs.I think we’re going to need repair procedures from them and there willbe a lot of certification from each manufacturer. Plus, I see a lot of con-solidation of both body shops and suppliers. That’s my perception atthis point.

AK: I don’t see it looking good. It’s not fun being in this industry any-more. I have to fight every day to get the bare minimum of what Ideserve. I think down the road, MSOs and franchises are going to swal-low up the little guy.

MW: I’m a little more optimistic about it. I think it depends on what hap-pens with legislation that we currently have proposed in the state thatwill hopefully be approved. In the short term, it’s hard to see what thefuture of the industry could be. These two pieces of legislation – one on

steering and one on replacing VIN labels – could have drastic implica-tions if both pass or if one of them passes and not the other. At theworst, we remain at the status quo. Our legislation on anti-steeringpassed the Senate and will be in the Assembly in November. It’s thefirst step in the battle.

RG: If the industry stays on course, we will see fewer shops. There willbe less technicians and more total losses. Think about it. When was thelast time you called a TV repairman?

LT: I think the industry will continue to see an expansion of MSOs,especially in larger cities. We will continue to see attrition of smallershops that cannot or will not keep up with the training and equipmentnecessary for repairing newer vehicles. As vehicles become more com-plex, continued training will be increasingly important, both for frontoffice staff and shop technicians. The industry will perform more partsreplacements than repairs as cars become more modular and partsbecome more fragile, breaking in accidents instead of bending as theydo with things like carbon fiber, aluminum, etc.

WAN: What are you doing, both personally and as an association, toimprove the status of the Wisconsin automotive service industry?LT: We communicate with other shops through local relationships andthe association, as well as through social media such as Facebook andLinkedIn groups. Shops need to view each other as colleagues, notcompetitors. It’s important to keep positive communication with our part-ners in the industry.

MT: On a shop level, what we’re doing to improve the industry is hiringvocational school students to mentor them and get them ready for themarket. They might not end up working here, but we’re working to con-tribute to their education. Everyone in the industry needs technicians,and if we can grow them, that’s important.

MW: Personally, I am trying to get information from other states byserving on other boards, and I’m bringing back the information to let theWACTAL Board know what’s happening. As an association, we work toget different speakers and events to get the information out. We talk toother shop owners, let them know what they’re missing and what’sgoing on in the industry at large. We try to disseminate the informationthrough these events, but we’re trying to get more people to attend.There’s no harm in being educated. It can only help you.

AK: Exactly. We put on seminars every year, but the problem we’rehaving is getting shops to participate. Of course, people show up, butnot at the amount they should be. I don’t know why. We’re trying tomake the industry better, but without the participation of our members,it’s difficult.

RG: I’m a second-generation shop owner and my dad always told methings get done by people who show up. That’s why, when he retired, Itook his position as a WACTAL director, and now I’m an officer. I donatemy time to the local I-CAR committee and I’m on the local technical col-lege advisory board. This industry is tough and all we hear is negativity.However, if you were to ask people who have retired from this industryor spent any time in it, I think you would find they are very proud of it. Iknow I am.

WAN


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13Fall 2015

WACTALMEMBER

SPOTLIGHT

Recently under new management, AercoCollision has been through quite a bit in thepast few months. Wisconsin Automotive Newscaught up with new owner Shawn Kloss to findout about the business and what the futureholds for this Altoona-based shop.

Wisconsin Automotive News: How did youget involved in automotive repair?Shawn Kloss: My uncle, John Kloss, did workout of his garage for friends and family, and Ihad spent a lot of time at his house in thesummer. In my early teens, I helped him withsanding and prepping and just loved it. Thatwas how I got involved at a young age, doingwork for my uncle at his garage. When I was17, I dropped out of school and turned towashing dishes to support myself, but when Igot sick of that, I got a job in a body shop. Itwas the first time I was prepping cars and get-ting a paycheck for it.

Remembering back to that time workingwith my uncle helped spark my passion forthis. I worked in and out of different shops foryears when I moved out to New Mexico, butwhen I came back to Wisconsin, no one knewme so I had to start from scratch. I startedattending Chippewa Valley Technical Collegewhen I was 21, and got an apprenticeship at aCARSTAR part time while I went to school. Iwas in and out of body shops again for a bitbefore settling at a different CARSTAR loca-tion. I was a full blooded combo man there,doing both body and paint work, but I wantedto learn more. My opportunities there were lim-ited.

After five years of employment, I met thecurrent owner of Aerco Collision, Rod Koplitz, atan airbrush clinic in town that I had attended.When I met him, I didn’t know he was there look-ing for a painter. My ambition and desire to learnmore made my decision in coming on board atAerco. I started as a lead painter, but I wanted toget more into the business in general. Slowly, Iworked to learn more and more, and Rod gaveme plenty of opportunities as well. An estimator

here moved on so I learned thatand took over that role, eventu-ally becoming shop foremanseveral years later. I became aleader and worked my way intomy very recent past position asmanager, which has helped meto achieve my lifelong dream ofowning my own shop.

WAN: You took over the shopfrom Rod Koplitz onSeptember 29. What are yourgoals as new owner of AercoCollision?SK: I want to focus on givingback to the community, as wellas on the people we have heremoving forward. I’m a firmbeliever that if we focus on the people in thebuilding, then the cars and customers comingin are properly taken care of. One day, I’d liketo open another location; the possibilities areendless. But first and foremost, I want to workon getting our technicians involved in the com-munity and doing what we can for the peoplearound us.

WAN: What do you think sets AercoCollision apart from other shops in thearea?SK: Our customer service, for one. We cur-rently have eight employees and we’re lookingto grow and add a couple soon. We’re not ahuge shop and we’re not a small shop, either -we’re right in the middle when it comes to oursize - but our employees and our businesstend to be more willing to accommodate cus-tomers for certain types of repairs. We havethe ability to work with customers for whatthey’re looking for, and we do more than justcollision repair. If a car comes in for repairs,we might also change their oil, for instance.That’s how we get so much repeat business.We thrive off families who are customers whocome back and recommend us to their kids orfamily members.

WAN: What’s your favorite thing about thework that you do?SK: The people that I work with. I get the mostenjoyment out of watching the people aroundme grow. I had a previous employee here foreight years named Dave Pritzl. He startedhere as an apprentice while he was studyingat a tech school. Now he’s a full-blown bodyrepair technician. He had left the shop a whileback, but came back to employment with uswhen he found out I was taking over as theowner. I watched him improve professionallyand seeing him go from a single guy to havinga baby, raising a family and buying a house isso rewarding. I love seeing people grasp newthings and grow both personally and profes-sionally. Plus, I also love helping the cus-tomers and doing everything I can to put asmile on their faces.

WAN: What would you say have been someof your biggest challenges, and how didyou overcome them?SK: Being in middle management was thebiggest challenge for me. I’m outspoken andambitious and keeping the ideas that I had tomyself and keeping them contained was hard.

Back row: Travis Jenson, David Pritzl, Dave Johnson, BruceKonkel; front row: Jerry Chang, Holli and Dani Kloss (Shawn’swife and daughter), Shawn Kloss and Jessica Headley (officemanager)

by Jacquelyn Bauman

Aerco CollisionAltoona, WI

continued on page 16


Fall 201514

We hear a lot about aluminum repair andprocedures. Many of us have been repairingsteel vehicles (and even some composite vehi-cles) for years. One thing we see overlooked99 percent of the time is torque wrench usagewhen installing body and structural compo-nents. It seems that most technicians knowthat a torque wrench is required for steering,suspension and engine repair, but many donot realize the importance of using torquewrenches for body repairs. Aluminum compo-nents such as (but not limited to) doors, decklids, hoods and bumper reinforcements can allbe damaged from over-tightening during instal-lation. Following the OEM’s torque ratings andprocedures is paramount to ensuring the alu-minum panels do not become damaged,warped or embedded into steel components,which will cause galvanic corrosion. Many oftoday’s steel-intensive vehicles contain alu-minum bumper reinforcements and hood pan-els. Additionally, many may also have alu-minum deck lids and door assemblies, so caremust always be taken during the installationprocess. When you finally decide that theproper thing to do is to use a torque wrench,you will need to understand their operationaluse and maintenance. Let’s take a look atsome torque wrench information.

A torque wrench is a precision instrumentdesigned to apply a specific amount of force toa fastener (nut or bolt) to ensure it stays inplace and does not back off or become loose.Whether tightening head bolts on an automo-bile engine, attaching engine accessory com-ponents, replacing or adjusting steering andsuspension components (or lugs for tire andrim installation), inspecting fastener toleranceson high-performance equipment or fasteningaluminum or composite body components, it isextremely important that proper care is usedand you adhere to tolerances.

Guidelines noting acceptable torqueranges, the order in which specific fastenersare tightened and the number of times a fas-tener must be tightened and loosened toensure uniform torque application are typicallyprovided. In some cases, a fastener may

require a torque to angle or a combination of atorque to value/torque to angle followed byanother torque to value. Failure to properlytorque fasteners can lead to equipment damage, personal injury or – worse – a component failure.

It is important to follow acceptable main-tenance and use practices, such as (but notlimited to) the following:

Safety glasses or goggles and glovesshould be worn at all times when using anyhand tool.

Always follow the manufacturer’s directionsregarding torque direction, proper force, torquepattern/sequence, use or non-use of lubrica-tion on fasteners, torque “tighten/release”cycles and torque to angle values.

Do not exceed the recommended workingrange of the torque wrench. Reliable measure-ments are based on a percentage of the work-ing range. In general, most mechanicalwrenches have a useable range from 20 per-cent to 100 percent of full scale. Most electron-ic wrenches have a useable range from 10percent to 100 percent of full scale. Read allinstructions prior to operating the torquedevice.

Do not use accessories or handle exten-sions unless specifically allowed by the torquewrench manufacturer.

Always take the time to inspect the tool andcheck for worn or cracked sockets. Rememberto properly lubricate and replace any worn orinoperative torque wrench components.

Avoid dropping, sliding or striking a torquewrench. Dropping a torque wrench on a hardsurface can cause the instrument to lose reliable calibration. If you suspect that awrench has been dropped, have the toolinspected by the manufacturer or reputablecalibration service. Additionally, never use a

torque wrench to “break free” corroded fasten-ers.

Always store a torque wrench in a protectivecase and/or location when not in use.

Avoid exposure to temperature extremes,high humidity, fluid immersion and corrosiveenvironments. Never clean the tool with caus-tic fluids such as lacquer thinners or gasoline.

If using a click-type torque wrench, alwaysstore it at the lowest level on the scale to pre-vent loading the spring.

Avoid marking, etching or placing labels ontorque wrenches.

Use a torque wrench to apply a specifictorque value during the final assemblyprocess. Do not use a torque wrench as theprimary means of tightening or loosening fas-teners; that’s what breaker bars and ratchetsare intended for.

As most torque wrenches are length specif-ic, always grasp the torque wrench in the cen-ter of the handle. If two hands need to beused, place one hand on top of the other.Make sure the tool does not slip and causeyou to fall off balance and impact your hands.

Apply torque in a slow, methodical mannerand avoid sudden, “jerking” type movements orforcing the wrench to tighten a stubborn fastener.

When the wrench signals (by clicking,beeping or lights) that a specific torque hasbeen reached, stop applying force immediate-ly.

Snap-On warns that “after 5000 cycles orup to one year of use, whichever comes first,have your torque wrench inspected and recali-brate by the manufacturer or reputable calibra-tion service.”

By Larry Montanez III, CDAand Jeff Lange, PE

TalkingTECHNICAL

Torque Wrench Use and Maintenance


15Fall 2015

With proper care, a high-quality torquewrench should provide accurate measure-ments for many years, if you adhere to whatis in this article. Remember that torquewrenches are precision instruments; caremust be taken not only in their use, but also intheir applications, storage and maintenance.

HOT TIPSCalibration: Torque wrenches come from

the factory calibrated, but almost every manu-facturer recommends checking the calibrationonce every year. There are testers that youcan purchase to ensure your torque wrench is accurate.

Storage: All torque instruments should bestored in their original cases. This will preventthem from becoming damaged and will keepthem dry and dust/moisture free. “Clicker”type wrenches must be stored with the lowestpossible setting.

Usage: Inspect the tool visually beforeand after every use. Look for any signs of cor-rosion, bends or wear. Also check for anybinding or rough operation.

COMMON REASONS FOR FAILUREUse and abuse: The more use and wear,

the more maintenance that it will require.Dropping the wrench will damage it andchange the calibration. Never use a pipeextension or hit the wrench with a hammer.

Improper storage: Storing the wrench ina drawer without its case will cause othertools to impact it during the opening and clos-ing of the drawer. Additionally, technicianshave a tendency to toss some tools in theirdrawers, and this could impact the wrench.Moisture is always an issue.

continued on page 16


You have the owner on one end of you and the technicians on theother, which makes it tough to balance. It’s a fine line. But takinginput from both the ownership and the people you’re managing helps.Going through their eyes and seeing myself as they see me hasmade me better at what I do. I value that constructive criticism onboth ends because it helped me get to where I am. It’s not alwayseasy to hear what they have to say, often it’s stuff you don’t want tohear, but ultimately it helps you improve.

WAN: Where do you see the industry going in the next 10 yearsor so?SK: Honestly, it can go in so many different directions. With the newtechnology going into cars, the electronics and aluminum, there is somuch to have to keep up with. Even on the technical end with thingslike waterborne, things change so quickly and people have to try tokeep up with what’s coming. There are MSOs on the horizon andfranchises coming in and buying out the little guys. We personallyhope to maintain a steady stream of growth and expansion on ourend to keep someone from coming in and buying us out. It’s hard tosay where the industry is ultimately going to go; there’s always some-thing coming up to surprise you. GM’s MyPriceLink.com initiative(where they are going to stop including list prices)... that came out ofnowhere. Not many of us saw that coming. You just have to be ableto adapt quickly, which is true of any industry.

WAN: What do you like to do in your spare time away from theshop?SK: My wife, Holli, and I love spending time with our four-and-a-halfyear old daughter, Dani. We’re an active family so we spend a lot oftime outside. Right now, Dani is learning how to ride a bike and she’senrolled in gymnastics. My favorite thing is watching her grow up. Wealso like to snowmobile in the winter time as a family and spend timeon the water in the summer. I go duck and pheasant hunting in thefall. We go to church on Saturday mornings and on Sunday evenings,and we work on giving back to the community through that. We live asimple life; we’re not looking to get rich in this business. We just wantto give back to the community by owning a business. I think thathelps to set us apart.

WAN: Who have been some of your biggest influences, personally and professionally?SK: The biggest influence is my stepfather. The way he carries him-self as a person and as a professional has had a profound impact onmy life. Plus, I’m greatly impacted by my wife and my daughter’s sup-port. I couldn’t have done this without them.

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WAN

WACTAL MemberSPOTLIGHTcontinued from pg. 13

TalkingTECHNICAL

continued from pg. 15

Improper maintenance and care: Failure to properly store and cali-brate your torque wrench will lead to incorrect readings. You shouldnever fail to repair the wrench when it is not operating properly.

We hope this article has explained the proper way to use torquewrenches, maintenance and applications. As always, feel free to contactus if you have any questions.

Larry Montanez III, CDA is co-owner of P&L Consultants with Peter Pratti, Jr. P&LConsultants works with collision repair shops on estimating,production and properrepair procedures. P&L conducts repair workshops on MIG & resistance welding,measuring for estimating and advanced estimating skills. P&L also conducts inves-tigations for insurers and repair shops for improper repairs, collision repairabilityand estimating issues. P&L can be reached by contacting Larry at (718) 891-4018(office), (917) 860-3588 (cell), (718) 646-2733 (fax) or via email [email protected]. The P&L website is www.PnLEstimology.com.

Jeff Lange, PE is president of Lange Technical Services, Ltd. of Deer Park, NYwww.LangeTech.net. Jeff is a Licensed New York State Professional Engineerwho specializes in investigating vehicle and component failures. Lange TechnicalServices, Ltd. is an investigative engineering firm performing forensic vehicle exam-inations and analysis for accident reconstruction, products liability and insuranceissues. Jeff can be reached at (631) 667-6128 or by email [email protected]. WAN


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WISCONSIN AUTO COLLISION TECHNICIANS ASSOCIATION, LTD.W226 S1742 State Road 164 S

Waukesha, WI 53186PH: 262-542-7707 or 800-366-9472

FAX: [email protected]

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

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I hereby apply for membership in the Wisconsin Auto Collision Technicians Association, Ltd. I promise to abide bythe association’s By-Laws and Code of Ethics. I understand that any signs, decals or emblems provided by theassociation remain the property of the association, and I agree to return them to the association upon termination ofmembership. I understand that the use of the association logo and identification is authorized only as long as mymembership is maintained.

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DUES: Membership dues are based on the number of employees, including active officers, partners & owners.Part-time employees count as 1/2. Annual dues schedule is as follows:

Sole Owner, No Employees $145 10-15 Employees $325 30+ Employees $4952-4 Employees $235 16-19 Employees $375 Associate Member $2505-9 Employees $275 20-29 Employees $445 School Member $250

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03/2013


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Wisconsin Automotive News Fall 2015

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