WHich Torque Wrench?

[echo46]

All
Need a new torque wrench for the lower end torque readings/settings i.e. 0-25lbs. What do you guys recommend?

[Hermes]

I have one and have never used it. At that low of torque I just do it hand tight

[danewilson77]

Kobalt or Craftsman.

Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[ELCID86]

I don't recommend the cheapo one I got from Harbor Freight.

[LivesNearCostco]

I have 3 cheapo torque wrenches from HF, the 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2". None of them seem especially accurate but I can and do use them for all parts of the car. I use the 1/2" one all the time on wheels and suspension parts but wouldn't use it for anything with torque spec <30 foot-lbs. Use the 3/8" and 1/4" ones occasionally for pulley bolts, valve cover, spark plugs, drain plugs, etc.

I would use the 1/4" wrench for 0-14 foot-lbs (0-168 inch-lbs) and the 3/8" wrench for 15-30 foot-lbs. If you have a high quality 3/8" wrench you could probably use it for the whole range 0-25 foot-lbs.

[echo46]

i have always done the tighten to hand tight at the lower end but I would like to be more accurate. Going to check out Kolbalt or Craftsman. Wouldn't you guys agree that it is important to have an accurate torque wrench for this spectrum? Should I get the 1/4 or 3/8?

[QC_ZHP]

I don't recommend the cheapo one I got from Harbor Freight.

+1, not happy with mine.

[JupiterBMW]

As I've always said... "Only a rich man can afford cheap tools". It is honestly a very true statement. I have Craftsman torque wrenches and I've been happy with them. I've had them for probably 10 years or so. The most important thing with torque wrenches is to back them all the way off when you're done using them, it helps prevent the internals from wearing and therefore the torque wrench losing its calibration...

Good luck.

[QC_ZHP]

As I've always said... "Only a rich man can afford cheap tools". It is honestly a very true statement. I have Craftsman torque wrenches and I've been happy with them. I've had them for probably 10 years or so. The most important thing with torque wrenches is to back them all the way off when you're done using them, it helps prevent the internals from wearing and therefore the torque wrench losing its calibration...

Good luck.

Wise words. I have Snap-On everything. I've just accumulated a few tools from random trips to HF. The difference in quality is extremely obvious when they're in your hands.

Being a gear head is so expensive, though.

[danewilson77]

I never use a torque wrench. My arm is calibrated between 0-250 ft-lbs

Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[WOLFN8TR]

I never use a torque wrench. My arm is calibrated between 0-250 ft-lbs

Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

Ha Ha...

[kayger12]

5 year old 3/8 Craftsman here.

Very happy with it.


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[echo46]

Unfortunately I don't have the gunnage you are sporting, DW:).

[midlandtech]

As I've always said... "Only a rich man can afford cheap tools". It is honestly a very true statement. I have Craftsman torque wrenches and I've been happy with them. I've had them for probably 10 years or so. The most important thing with torque wrenches is to back them all the way off when you're done using them, it helps prevent the internals from wearing and therefore the torque wrench losing its calibration...

Good luck.

This. Most of my tools are craftsman. They are good tools backed with a solid warranty. I've yet to regret a purchase.

[echo46]

Thanks guys, just purchased the 3/8 micro torque from craftsman.

[ELCID86]

So what are ya workin on?


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[echo46]

I just finished a suspension refresh, oil and filter change on the E36 M and it really started to bother me that my torque wrench would not function below 25 pounds. I'm also preparing for a valve adjustment and Vanos refresh on the new M and am in the process of slowly getting the tools I need and the materials. The Beisan kit(s) on the e46 M3 are more expensive than the ZHP. As I am saving to do pm on the new M I am getting things as I go.

[Stu]

I don't recommend the one I got from AutoZone, though it served me well over these years. Yeah it does its job, but at certain torques or angles it likes to false-click or very very silently click. I've just replaced it finally with a 250 ft/lbs one.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HCJEDK/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Didn't get bad reviews, but I've yet to receive it so I can't comment on my own experiences.

[Stu]

Btw, ECSTuning is selling a Schwaben Tools torque wrench for a really good price.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/schwaben/ES2221244/

$40, 10-150 ft/lbs. 4% accuracy. Comes with a nice case as well.

Schwaben makes great stuff, usually their products are somewhat expensive in comparison.

[wsmeyer]

Btw, ECSTuning is selling a Schwaben Tools torque wrench for a really good price.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/schwaben/ES2221244/

$40, 10-150 ft/lbs. 4% accuracy. Comes with a nice case as well.

Schwaben makes great stuff, usually their products are somewhat expensive in comparison.

I have that Schwaben wrench. It's the same wrench that's sold at Harbor Freight but with the Schwaben logo. They didn't even bother to put it in a different case.

[Lanister]

I have that Schwaben wrench. It's the same wrench that's sold at Harbor Freight but with the Schwaben logo. They didn't even bother to put it in a different case.

Looking at the pictures, the wrench looks exactly like my 3/8. It came without a case though. I must say that I really dislike it when it either doesn't click in certain positions or lightly-clicks in others. I wouldn't be buying the ECS one, the price says it all.

[echo46]

Got the craftsmen and used it last week. Worked well.

[Alikessu]

Sears has a sales on the Torque wrenches, just picked this up for $39.99
goes from 10lb to 75lb
that should be enough for any Project right?
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/10/7da53bb360119c4854b06e5c0050adec.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/10/92743d8d511b927dd9e5f38fd3e0951a.jpg


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[Alikessu]

it is about 18" that should handle any job
or is it to long?


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[WOLFN8TR]

Nice purchase. That should work good for most jobs. I have several brands of torque wrenches, HF, Schwaben and craftsman. The HF and Schawben seem identical.

[danewilson77]

Front bearings get torqued to ~300 ft-lbs.

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[Vas]

Front bearings get torqued to ~300 ft-lbs.

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The nut on them ? Since the hub and bearing are a complete assembly

[danewilson77]

Yes. Front bearing nut.

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[Vas]

Yes. Front bearing nut.

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That sounds way too high

[danewilson77]

That sounds way too high
Based on....?

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[danewilson77]

I think I torqued mine to 285, with my 300 ft-lb torque wrench.

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[NorCal-Dimitri]

Sears has a sales on the Torque wrenches, just picked this up for $39.99
goes from 10lb to 75lb
that should be enough for any Project right?
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/10/7da53bb360119c4854b06e5c0050adec.jpg
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/10/92743d8d511b927dd9e5f38fd3e0951a.jpg


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I bought the same one, but a size or two up. The lug nuts/bolts should be torqued to 88-92 foot-pounds.

[ELCID86]

I bought the same one, but a size or two up. The lug nuts/bolts should be torqued to 88-92 foot-pounds.

Yep. 88-89 I think.


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[Alikessu]

thanks for tip
will check it out, haven't used it yet


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[squashman702]

Front bearings get torqued to ~300 ft-lbs.

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I read somewhere around 210 in a bunch of places (don't remember the exact number). Too much preload will kill the bearings. 300 seems way overkill.

On topic, I have a 1/2" Snap-On, but it only goes down to 50 ft/lbs. Never really needed anything lower than that in my Jeep days. I bought a 3/8" HF, way off. It sits in my tool box.

My buddy has a 3/8" Snap-On that goes very low in in/lbs, super nice. Vibrates when you get close to your specified torque, and shows where you're actually at on the digital readout. Also the exact opposite price-wise from the HF stuff.

[wsmeyer]

This sounds pretty important so I checked Bentley :

21997

[ELCID86]

This sounds pretty important so I checked Bentley :

21997

Thanks so 83-97 lbs. the shop prints out 88 or 89 on mine. Wonder where they get it from?


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[danewilson77]

Thanks so 83-97 lbs. the shop prints out 88 or 89 on mine. Wonder where they get it from?


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Where they get what from?

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[ELCID86]

Where they get what from?

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The set number of ft lbs vs a range.


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[danewilson77]

Ok. Typically one should shoot for 50% to 90% torque of the range.

For instance, if I try to torque something to 20 ft-lbs using a 0-100 ft-lb torque wrench.....no bueno.

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[ELCID86]

Good to know. I did snap a bolt or two on a water pump by trying to use my big (and only) wrench on them...


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[danewilson77]

What I speak is ideal case, and assumes one is using a dial indicating torque wrench, not a clicker style (inaccurate) or a deflecting beam (more inaccurate) torque wrench.

Just realize that accuracy is compromised with the style torque wrenches we typically use (aforementioned).

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[ELCID86]

What I speak is ideal case, and assumes one is using a dial indicating torque wrench, not a clicker style (inaccurate) or a deflecting beam (more inaccurate) torque wrench.

Just realize that accuracy is compromised with the style torque wrenches we typically use (aforementioned).

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My clicker didn't do the trick-er...


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