Check your torque wrench!!!!!!!!

[kennebellcobra]

I put brakes on my escort over the weekend and I always torque the lug nuts to 90 flbs....so I'm driving home today and I hear a knock when ever I let off the gas:confused: I'm thinking I must have left something loose when I put the brakes on. I pull it in the garage and take go to take the wheel off the side that was knocking and the lugs seem loose. Ok...I must have forgot to put the torque wrench on it so I set it to 90 and click but it seemed to easy so I get Dave's torque wrench and set it at 90 and felt like I was going to break the studs off. I then go over and check the cobra with Dave's wrench and mine moved at 50lbs. We then started doing comparisons with his and mine and I got out my snap on antique torque wrench with the dial. In the end 90 on mine was 50 and 60 on Dave's was 100:eek: Now the worse part I just got done putting my engine back together with a torque wrench that reads way low :bangwall: I do remember when I was torqueing my heads to 105 it was hard and it makes you shake a little so I'm praying it broke after my motor was back together:angel: Time will tell.

GET YOUR TORQUE WRENCHES CALIBRATED AND STAY AWAY FROM THE CHEAPER CLICK ONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[94cobra2615]

I always use my snap-on antique dial type torque wrench. I will never use a clicker type wrench again. The dial types rock!

I had a clicker wrench go bad one time years ago and it was overtorqueing the bolts.....so much that it was stretching head bolts on a motor I was putting together (I got lucky they didn't break)

After that I'll never use them cheap clicker types.

[Paul408Notch]

Just to make sure everyone knows... you have to reset torque wrenches back to their lowest setting after every use. If you leave them set to 80 or 150 fl-lbs, the spring inside eventually weakens, and there goes your torque.

[wes 89 gt]

we have them at work and there always set on the same setting and there only calibrated once a year. then they ask why stuff is shipped back with loose bolts:dummy:

[PonymanfiveO]

Just to make sure everyone knows... you have to reset torque wrenches back to their lowest setting after every use. If you leave them set to 80 or 150 fl-lbs, the spring inside eventually weakens, and there goes your torque.


I just bought a bad ass 1/2" drive torque wrench from Matco. It came with a calibration card and also a piece saying it was unnecessary to reset it back to zero unless you plan to store it without use for a while.
I still put mine back to zero anyways. Its a good habit.

[Mista Bone]

Just to make sure everyone knows... you have to reset torque wrenches back to their lowest setting after every use. If you leave them set to 80 or 150 fl-lbs, the spring inside eventually weakens, and there goes your torque.

Paul, that info has been beaten into every gearheads brain, it makes sense.

But in my case, very FALSE!

Dad bought his Craftsman 1/2 torque wrench in 1971 stored it properly I assume. I was drilled on proper useage and storage at age 14-15.

When dad passed away in 1996, I left it set at 85 ft lbs when stored, it was the setting I used for lug nuts while AutoXing.

Tested at a Snap-on truck a few years ago, dads old Craftsman was within 1% but 3 new Snap-On units on the truck FOR SALE didn't pass.

I still store it at 85 ft/lbs. Run the lug nuts on with impact gun set at #2 with 100-120 psi supply. about 65-70 ft/lbs on the lugnut, whip out dads old wrench and get about 1/16 - 1/8 turn to snug up the lug nuts.

[Paul408Notch]

Paul, that info has been beaten into every gearheads brain, it makes sense.

But in my case, very FALSE!

How stupid of me to not add the disclaimer that my message doesn't apply to you. Of course your magic torque wrench is still perfect.

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

What is this torque wrench thing you speak of? Do you mean there's a special tool for applying a specific amount of torque to a bolt??? :confused:

[dedpedal]

Damn Shannon, I would definatly pull the valvecovers off and retorque the heads before running it hard again.

[Black92LX]

Just to make sure everyone knows... you have to reset torque wrenches back to their lowest setting after every use. If you leave them set to 80 or 150 fl-lbs, the spring inside eventually weakens, and there goes your torque.

It's a good argument but I don't really put much to it. I don't take my torque wrench back to zero and have yet to have any problems.

the stress on a spring comes from the constant change in load. As long as the load is consistent the spring should be fine. Assuming the spring itself and the materials are not defective.

This has been a long debate in the gun forums as well. People swear up and down it is bad to leave magazines loaded and slides locked back because of the constant load on the spring.
I have had magazines sit loaded for years with no adverse effects on the capabilities of the spring. Also with no adverse repercussions of the firearm going to full battery and functioning properly after the recoil spring as had a load on it from sitting with the slide back for ages.

The wear comes with the change in load or actual use of the spring

[2-8-1]

I'm with black92, for the same reasons.

[facemelter71]

I spent the money and bought a new 3/8 Snap-on digital torque wrench,it is by far the best damn thing i bought in the world.Gets rechecked every year and is still within + - 1%.

[Black92LX]

To add to earlier.

That is all assuming the load on the spring is within the capacity that spring is designed to handle.
If it exceeds the amount of load that it is designed for. Then yes the spring will wear out.

[DeckerEnt]

I have a craftsman click type 1/2 inch torque wrench. I turn it back to 0 every time. It is just habit now. I guess I should get it checked. Where do I take it? Sears?
Keith

[Dirtyd0g]

Maybe I should have my elbow recalibrated :)
I know for certain leaving the wrenches adjusted up will ruin them. I always turn mine to zero if I won't be using it in about 5 minutes.
Alan

[kennebellcobra]

Damn Shannon, I would definatly pull the valvecovers off and retorque the heads before running it hard again.

I wish it was that easy. I would have to pull of the KB, headers/adapter plates, rocker arms and the oil pan to recheck everything I just put back together:(

[2-8-1]

That is all assuming the load on the spring is within the capacity that spring is designed to handle.
If it exceeds the amount of load that it is designed for. Then yes the spring will wear out.

Then why would said inferior spring be placed in something like a torque wrench? The last tq wrench I purchased was around 125 dollars. The spring should either be made of titanium, or frikken platinum for that price.

[flyboygeo]

Speaking of torque wrenches, where and what brand has the best overall quality for price? I am looking to purchase one. Thx.

[Paul408Notch]

Then why would said inferior spring be placed in something like a torque wrench? The last tq wrench I purchased was around 125 dollars. The spring should either be made of titanium, or frikken platinum for that price.

Maximizing profits is probably the biggest reason.

[dedpedal]

I wish it was that easy. I would have to pull of the KB, headers/adapter plates, rocker arms and the oil pan to recheck everything I just put back together:(
Beats popping anothe head gasket tho.

[PonymanfiveO]

How stupid of me to not add the disclaimer that my message doesn't apply to you. Of course your magic torque wrench is still perfect.



best post in the thread. :lol:

[kennebellcobra]

Beats popping anothe head gasket tho.

If I did'nt have such a vivid memory of straining to torque the bolts I would take it back apart and check. I have a crazy method for torqueing my head bolts with MLS gaskets I think I go over them 50 times:lol: Thats probably what did in the wrench.

It might be nice to blow a head gasket instead of melting pistons:D

[dedpedal]

If I did'nt have such a vivid memory of straining to torque the bolts I would take it back apart and check. I have a crazy method for torqueing my head bolts with MLS gaskets I think I go over them 50 times:lol: Thats probably what did in the wrench.

It might be nice to blow a head gasket instead of melting pistons:D


Good point there.

[2-8-1]

Maximizing profits is probably the biggest reason.

Ahh yes, the American's view on economics. "If the big corporations win, who cares about anyone else."

[Mista Bone]

This has been a long debate in the gun forums as well. People swear up and down it is bad to leave magazines loaded and slides locked back because of the constant load on the spring.
I have had magazines sit loaded for years with no adverse effects on the capabilities of the spring. Also with no adverse repercussions of the firearm going to full battery and functioning properly after the recoil spring as had a load on it from sitting with the slide back for ages.

The wear comes with the change in load or actual use of the spring

11.25mm pistol (.45 ACP) that I have of Dads, made in 1929 with two mags, both have been loaded ever since he bought the gun, I keep them loaded myself still.

He bought the pistol in '81 or '82, still works perfect.

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/bonespec/Misc/Toys/PC140009.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/bonespec/Misc/Toys/PC140010.jpg

Oh Paul, sorry but dads torque wrench is not perfect, just the calibration is. The ratchet assembly needs replaced, but trying to get parts for a wrench made 1970 or so, yeah right. Need to find a shop that can fix it.

[BigBadStang]

I have been using a SnapOn TQFR250C for almost 15 years with nary a problem. it uses a split beam system, and has fewer moving parts, and has a 15 degree flex ratchet head. The only downfall, is it only reads down to 35 ft.lbs.
paid a little over 2 bills off the truck, been checked numerous times, and has never needed a re-calibration.

[Mista Bone]

Old tools = better quality IMHO.

When my old POS Crapsman passed the Snap-On test, but 3 NEW units on the truck didn't, really surprised. Honestly it was drilled into me by dad that storing it at more than 30 ft/lbs setting was bad, but I wanted to see just how off it was. I'm not sure what the standard was for Snap-On's testing, but mine passed. Salesman had the digital inducer (?) setup and was surprised himself when I told him how I store it.

I do know there was a period in the early 80's when dad and me were breaking sockets left and right because of shitty quality. This was before dad had bought an air compresssor.

Only thing I'be been breaking lately is 1/2" to 3/8" adapters from air impact gun abuse.

I've had to use the Snap-On vibrators, and I don't like. I want that nice solid CLICK when I reach the desired torque setting.

I remeber being 13 in 1980 and dad had me torque down the head on his '76 Chevy 250 I6 after a valve job, mainly because I could fit in the engine bay easier :) Sitting on the inner fender, both feet planeted on the block/head for leverage to make a smooth pull for 80-85 ft/lbs, I think that was the correct torque. At that young age it was quite a workout, but time well spent.

[BigBadStang]

Old tools = better quality IMHO.
...I remeber being 13 in 1980 and dad had me torque down the head on his '76 Chevy 250 I6 after a valve job, mainly because I could fit in the engine bay easier :) Sitting on the inner fender, both feet planeted on the block/head for leverage to make a smooth pull for 80-85 ft/lbs, I think that was the correct torque. At that young age it was quite a workout, but time well spent.

Good story. I think a lot of us have memories of our Dads "breaking us in" so to say, and I love hearing them! :)

...Back on topic...lol. (sorry).