Tool for undoing-doing up car wheel nuts - Knuckle bar [wheel brace] made by Snap- on

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Mon 21 Mar 2011 18:48
Tool for undoing-doing up car wheel nuts - Knuckle bar [wheel brace] made by Snap- on - superman56

I bought the 24 inch and 30 inch knuckle bars in 1973 while I was on my mechanic

apprenticeship 1973/77.Over the years the end bit broke on both of them,which were replaced by Snap on man in the van wherewer I worked .But I made acomplaint in 1982

that the chrome was desapearing from the area arround the handle on both knuckle bars

and so exposing bare steel.Metal fatique has eaten into the steel.

The same hapened on my friends knuckle bars.For the past 28 years Snap on Uk

refused to repair or replace the same,giving reason as it is my foult for them having metal

metal fatique.I also have Britol and King Dick tools 30 plus years old which are not rusty.From the experienced Engineers prospective I believe that the poor quality steel

was used in manufacturing,which has stoped me buying anything made by Snap on

What is your opinion on this?

Has anyone else been having the same problem?

Regards,

Zoran.

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Mon 21 Mar 2011 19:24
Tool for undoing-doing up car wheel nuts - Knuckle bar [wheel brace] made by Snap- on - galileo

Metal fatigue does not "eat into" steel, what you describe sounds like corrosion, especially as it is where the chrome had worn or peeled off.

Metal fatigue only affects steel as a result of many cycles of reversed loading (e.g. bearings, crankshafts),It starts as minute cracks which gradually extend until the part breaks completely.

Your Britool and King Dick tools may well be made from a better/more corrosion resistant steel, which is why they have lasted longer.

Edited by galileo on 21/03/2011 at 19:25

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Mon 21 Mar 2011 21:16
Tool for undoing-doing up car wheel nuts - Knuckle bar [wheel brace] made by Snap- on - Robin the Technician
As a Technician of many years, I too have snap on tools. It was always my understanding they were guaranteed for life against faulty manufacture. I don't think that applies to corrosion which is your responsibilty to prevent. Chrome does chip off with age and use - so unless its physically broken then you don't really have a leg to stand on.

Robin the Technician
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