Old timer told me to stop chasing torque specs on landing gear bolts. He was right.

I was torquing down some main gear bolts on a 737 last month and this guy named Jerry walked over. He told me to forget the spec and just go by feel on the lock nuts. I argued with him for five minutes until my lead came over and backed Jerry up. Turns out the manual doesn't account for old dried grease in the threads, and I was way overtightening for three years. Anyone else have a graybeard save them from stripping something expensive?

3 comments

3 Comments

mark_smith599d ago

Jerry saved your ass big time, that's a lesson you'll never forget.

the_sandra7d ago

People never forget when someone steps up like that. Jerry did something most folks wouldn't even have the nerve to try. That kind of loyalty and quick thinking is rare, real rare. Glad you're okay and got someone like that watching your back. Those bonds don't break easy.

the_robin9d ago

Man Jerry didn't just save his ass, he basically rewrote the entire playbook in real time. I remember a similar thing happening to my cousin at his warehouse job back in 2019, one guy caught a falling pallet before it crushed three people. That's the kind of instinct you can't teach, it's either in you or it's not. Jerry probably didn't even think twice, just moved. Those moments stick with you forever, change how you see the whole world.