Do you use torque wrench?

[txslg]

For all home mechanics, do you use torque wrench?

I don't use torque wrench as much as I should. Last time I used torque wrench to tighten my front brake caliber to 90 ftlbs. And the brake caliber fall off while I am driving, very scary.

I only have 1/2 one. Toque wrench are expensive and needs to be calibrated regularly.

So instead of using torque wrench, I just use my body weight to tight the bolts and it works fine. Probably over torqued.

Here is what I am doing

1. 17mm and up use body weight, probably over torqued
2. 12mm~14mm use 1/2 inch wrench arm strength
3. 10~12 mm 3/8 wrench arm strength
4. 10mm and smaller, 1/4 wrench, hand tight then 1/4 turn.

Some bolts might be over torqued, but none under torqued So far, the car is still holding together.

What is your way of torque the bolts?

 

[jammingator]

Tighten until it stops, tighten a little more, then use torque wrench.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

That click from the torque wrench is music to my ears. I use one when I do maintenance on my MTB, my GSA, my son’s 300cc bike and my RCs. Essential tool with this kind of hobby.

 

[vipergrhd]

Even a cheap torque wrench is better than over torqueing bolts to the point of breaking. A good torque wrench can last a long time and won't need calibration unless you are using it several times in a week IMO.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Last time I used torque wrench to tighten my front brake caliber to 90 ftlbs. And the brake caliber fall off while I am driving, very scary.

Should have used loctite 5.56…

 

[flintknapper]

Yes, you should own and use a torque wrench on certain items.

I.E. be sure to properly torque wheel lug nuts, drive flange nuts, most engine components, brake parts....etc.

You don't need to torque the nut that holds your rear wiper arm on. You don't need to torque each valve cover bolt unless you are one of those ham fisted gorillas that have absolutely no idea what you are doing and shouldn't be working on a vehicle anyway. Just snug them down and let the size of the bolt/nut/stud serve as a guide.

DON'T over torque/tighten Oil Pan/Transmission Pan drain plugs despite their relatively large size!

Just about any torque wrench is better than no torque wrench. But if you can afford a good one....go that route, it is a one time purchase and should last you a lifetime.

Since you didn't include it in your Poll 'choices' I vote for SOMETIMES.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

I mean….yield strength and bolt stretch is a myth anyways….



Get a torque wrench. Don’t be a degenerate.

 

[flintknapper]

I mean….yield strength and bolt stretch is a myth anyways….

Just ask any tire shop!

Man...they must have some good 'impacts' though. Sheeeesh....

 

[Trunk Monkey]

They're not expensive and if stored properly don't have to be calibrated often at all. You even have one and you're not using it? Not a good idea at all.

 

[gnob]

I use tw for important fasteners. Wheels, head bolts, etc
Reality is most bolts are at spec right after they stop. Torque curve goez basically straight up from there dont be a gorilla

 

[jLB]

“I use a Craftsman model 1019 Laboratory edition, signature series torque wrench. The kind used by Cal Tech High Energy physicists, and NASA engineers.”

 

[AirheadNut]

Torque wrenches aren't terribly expensive, I replaced my old one recently with a Craftsman 25-250ft-lb that was 1/2 off at Lowe's, it cost me $50. Generally speaking I use a torque wrench on any fastener that has a torque specification in the manual. Apparently the old, beam style torque wrench is generally more accurate and will last longer without calibration than the newer click style ones. I have an old 3/8 drive one that I use for anything under about 35 ft-lbs.

 

[snowglobe]

“I use a Craftsman model 1019 Laboratory edition, signature series torque wrench. The kind used by Cal Tech High Energy physicists, and NASA engineers.”

Is it dead nuts accurate?

 

[jLB]

Is it dead nuts accurate?

Yep, it has been calibrated by top members of the state and federal Departments of Weights and Measures, to be dead-on balls accurate.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

Manufacturers always put 5% +/- variance on their torque wrenches. AMG, Brabus and Koenigsegg in-house tools claims theirs is within the 1%, now that for sure is expensive.

 

[e9999]

never heard of brake bolts properly tightened to specs that fell off. Something odd there?
Of course, I'll use a torque wrench for any important fastener! Brakes qualify!

 

[JunkCrzr89]

never heard of brake bolts properly tightened to specs that fell off. Something odd there?
Of course, I'll use a torque wrench for any important fastener! Brakes qualify!

Plenty of threads here on mud that mention caliper bolts falling out. Use blue loctite.

 

[120mm]

It is fairly easy to self calibrate torque wrenches.

Get a cheap digital torque wrench adapter and use that to see how accurate your wrench is.

Or find an antique balance bar torque wrench and use it as a comparator.

I have some 30 year old $20 Harbor Freight torque wrenches that is still dead nuts accurate.

I just found a Snap-On 3/8" torque wrench for free. The owner discarded it because it was "rusted solid." After sitting in my tool box for a year, I finally got to messing with it last night, and found that the set screw had been tightened on the adjustment ring. I backed it out 1/8 turn, and viola! a free Snap-On torque wrench. And it was within 3% on my comparators.

 

[flintknapper]

Manufacturers always put 5% +/- variance on their torque wrenches. AMG, Brabus and Koenigsegg in-house tools claims theirs is within the 1%, now that for sure is expensive.

Most are 4% +/- variance these days and are good enough for the home mechanic.

My CTG-3000 digital is 2% =/- and my Proto's are all 3% (clockwise) and calibrated....but that level of accuracy isn't normally needed for general automotive repair.

You can end up investing a fair amount of money in your torque wrenches.....so take good care of them and they will last.

 

[AirheadNut]

Some torque wrenches are only designed to be used in a clockwise rotation and usually have a marking indicating that. My new Craftsman can be used in either direction and came with a calibration of +/- 4% CW and +/- 6% CCW. Something to look out for if you ever plan to torque reverse thread fasteners.