basic automotive needs & torque wrench size?
02-17-2009, 08:21 AM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Charlotte, NC
Age: 44
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
basic automotive needs & torque wrench size?
those of you that have torque wrenches, what size/style did you go with? this will be used for tire rotations, misc filler plugs and other minor jobs. 
Last edited by JimiThng; 02-17-2009 at 08:23 AM.
02-17-2009, 08:35 AM
#2
AZ Community Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: N35°03'16.75", W 080°51'0.9"
Posts: 32,488
Received 7,770 Likes
on
4,341 Posts
I've seen some pretty good deals on Crafstman, but the reviews say they break with limited use and are not lifetime warranty - so be careful there.
I've been using an AutoZone loaner each time, but it's getting to be a hassle. That tool is something like 25 lb/ft - 250 lb/ft. That range is fine for the majority of routine jobs.
Highest torque you'd likely need is 180 lb/ft (not often); lowest is ~7 lb/ft. Most jobs are in the 25 lb/ft - 80 lb/ft range. The lower torque seems fairly easy to estimate - 7 lb/ft is hand tight; 16 lb /ft hand tight plus a modest pull, etc.
I've been using an AutoZone loaner each time, but it's getting to be a hassle. That tool is something like 25 lb/ft - 250 lb/ft. That range is fine for the majority of routine jobs.
Highest torque you'd likely need is 180 lb/ft (not often); lowest is ~7 lb/ft. Most jobs are in the 25 lb/ft - 80 lb/ft range. The lower torque seems fairly easy to estimate - 7 lb/ft is hand tight; 16 lb /ft hand tight plus a modest pull, etc.
02-17-2009, 11:27 AM
#3
Suzuka Master
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Raleigh, NC - USA
Age: 82
Posts: 7,674
Received 2,599 Likes
on
1,581 Posts
I have Craftsmen click & release in two sizes. Lower scale 3/8" drive & a high scale 1/2" drive.
02-17-2009, 11:34 AM
#4
Registered Member
I have three. A "short" one (maybe 14") measured in inch/lbs which I use for my oil pan drain plug. A 100 ft/lb (max) which gets used for wheels and a few sundry items. And a 150 ft/lb which I have not yet used on my '04 or '05 TL.
02-17-2009, 12:51 PM
#5
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
I've seen some pretty good deals on Crafstman, but the reviews say they break with limited use and are not lifetime warranty - so be careful there.
I've been using an AutoZone loaner each time, but it's getting to be a hassle. That tool is something like 25 lb/ft - 250 lb/ft. That range is fine for the majority of routine jobs.
Highest torque you'd likely need is 180 lb/ft (not often); lowest is ~7 lb/ft. Most jobs are in the 25 lb/ft - 80 lb/ft range. The lower torque seems fairly easy to estimate - 7 lb/ft is hand tight; 16 lb /ft hand tight plus a modest pull, etc.
I've been using an AutoZone loaner each time, but it's getting to be a hassle. That tool is something like 25 lb/ft - 250 lb/ft. That range is fine for the majority of routine jobs.
Highest torque you'd likely need is 180 lb/ft (not often); lowest is ~7 lb/ft. Most jobs are in the 25 lb/ft - 80 lb/ft range. The lower torque seems fairly easy to estimate - 7 lb/ft is hand tight; 16 lb /ft hand tight plus a modest pull, etc.
But if the OP really wants to buy one then get only one and get a big one (200+) and a breaker bar.
02-17-2009, 01:16 PM
#7
Oderint dum metuant.
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Lake Wylie
Age: 46
Posts: 12,496
Likes: 0
Received 534 Likes
on
446 Posts
My torque wrench is regular size with a 150 lb/ft max, I think. I got it at one of the chain auto stores. It wasn't expensive and it works really well.
Trending Topics
02-17-2009, 01:20 PM
#8
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
02-17-2009, 03:17 PM
#9
AZ Community Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: N35°03'16.75", W 080°51'0.9"
Posts: 32,488
Received 7,770 Likes
on
4,341 Posts
True, thankz. But the question is "What Torque Wrench?"
I'd just hate to buy something you expect tobe good for basic DIY/home use (Craftsman, for example) then the damn thing breaks in 2 months.
02-17-2009, 03:32 PM
#10
Pro
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Owings Mills, MD
Age: 49
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Like Bearcat has said, I read a bunch of poor reviews on the Craftsman torque wrenches. I actually bought one and ended up returning it after reading even more poor reviews. Ended up getting a 3/8" drive Husky from Home Depot. I'm sure there are better wrenches but I found this one clearly better than the Craftsman I originally picked up, and I think it was even cheaper. Can't remember the torque range but so far it covers all of jobs I use it for.
02-17-2009, 03:35 PM
#11
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
I like doing the AutoZone route b/c in the case the torque wrench does fail I can just exchange it. Sears has some 1/2" drive TW's on sale and Harbor Freight & Amazon have some real cheap too ($20-$50). To be honest, I don't know the failure rate of the torque wrenches or what is the most reliable & accurate.. I definitely couldn't find one that was warrantied longer than 1 year.
I did read reviews say out-of-spec or complete failure. So I'll stick to AutoZone for now.
I did read reviews say out-of-spec or complete failure. So I'll stick to AutoZone for now.
02-18-2009, 08:39 AM
#12
Oderint dum metuant.
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Lake Wylie
Age: 46
Posts: 12,496
Likes: 0
Received 534 Likes
on
446 Posts
Nothing lately. It's a line from Cowboy Bebop by one of the recurring bit characters. I always liked the character (reminds me of myself), I always liked the line (his delivery and the subsequent "discussions" between him and his buddies are priceless), and my luck, unfortunately, lends itself to me saying just such a thing.
02-18-2009, 11:27 AM
#13
Suzuka Master
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Raleigh, NC - USA
Age: 82
Posts: 7,674
Received 2,599 Likes
on
1,581 Posts
Not sure if they have changed in recient years but I have never had an engine I built fail due to improper torque values using a Chraftsman wrench. One of the keys to long life on a click release wrench is to unload it after you are done using it.
02-18-2009, 01:47 PM
#14
China needs to work on their QC.Good advice about unloading after use ... always do this routine with a click release torque wrench
Unloading will extend accuracies and service life.I do own a lot of Craftsman tools but my TW's are all Snap-On, Matco or MAC(and one Proto) ... there just isn't a substitute for a quality torque wrench.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
joflewbyu2
5G TLX (2015-2020)
139
10-08-2015 11:16 AM
