Torque Wrench

[SpydherLuv]

I know my way around tools pretty well, but am a bit of a rookie when it comes to buying a torque wrench. I understand how they're used, but am clueless as far as what I should have in my toolbox.

I'm planning to do most, if not all, of the maintenance on my '09 SM5 and believe a torque wrench is a must-have. I'm looking for some help and/or guidance on the different types out there and which ones everyone else uses.

The first thing I need advice with is which torque wrench do I need? I'm thinking a wrench with Nm would be good according to the below BRP torque ratings.

Anyone have any preferences and know where I can pick one up for under $100?

I appreciate your time in helping me with this. :helpsmilie:

 

[AndyIsRiding]

You need at least a 1/4" torque wrench, and a 3/8" torque wrench.

The problem is the range that you need.

You need 16 lb/In to 305 lbs/feet or in metric 1.8 Newton*Meter to 413 N*m

And you live in the US where metric is hard to find.

I suggest you go to Lowes or Homedepot and look for the following
a 1/4 that is in LBS/In
and a 3/8" that is in LBS/Ft

If you get a decent brand like husky, it will be sold as imperial units, but if you turn it over you will see the metric measurements also.

Andy

 

[fencepost]

You will find that you will need two torque wrenches, 1/4" drive - inch lbs and 3/8 drive foot lbs. This should take care of all of your torque wrench needs.

 

[NancysToy]

I have seldom found use for a 1/4" drive torque wrench. I use 3/8" and 1/2" models on the Spyders. I prefer the ratcheting type, which allow you to work "blind". Sears Craftsman units are accurate and reliable. The Sears units read in both Nm and either lbf-ft or lbf-in. Be sure to back down a ratcheting torque wrench before you store it, or the spring will take a set and it will eventually read wrong. Testing them against beam-type torque wrenches periodically is a good idea, too.

 

[Firefly]

I have seldom found use for a 1/4" drive torque wrench. I use 3/8" and 1/2" models on the Spyders. I prefer the ratcheting type, which allow you to work "blind". Sears Craftsman units are accurate and reliable. The Sears units read in both Nm and either lbf-ft or inf-ft. Be sure to back down a ratcheting torque wrench before you store it, or the spring will take a set and it will eventually read wrong. Testing them against beam-type torque wrenches periodically is a good idea, too.

Snap-on has some new models that you can just leave at any tension... buddy was telling me about them the other day... :2thumbs:

 

[WackyDan]

The one I have has both scales, and most decent ones will.

 

[SpydherLuv]

You guys are awesome!! Thank you all! Since I don't have any 1/2" sockets, I'll need to look for 1/4" & 3/8" wrenches. Let the shopping begin....

I knew I should have bought more tools when I worked for Snap-on.:gaah:

 

[freebob]

You guys are awesome!! Thank you all! Since I don't have any 1/2" sockets, I'll need to look for 1/4" & 3/8" wrenches. Let the shopping begin....

I knew I should have bought more tools when I worked for Snap-on.:gaah:

Since everything on Spyder you need to torque is ft.lbs I would go with a 1/2" torque wrench and use a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter. I also have a 3/8 torque
wrench I used when rebuilding Outboard engines in inch lbs, most torque settings on aluminum engines are in inch lbs...


Freebob...:doorag:

 

[NancysToy]

Since everything on Spyder you need to torque is ft.lbs I would go with a 1/2" torque wrench and use a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter. I also have a 3/8 torque
wrench I used when rebuilding Outboard engines in inch lbs, most torque settings on aluminum engines are in inch lbs...


Freebob...:doorag:

Beware, many of the torque values used on the Spyder are below the bottom of the scale on some 1/2" torque wrenches. Good point about the inch-pound readings on many smaller torque wrenches. For you beginners, to convert to lbf-ft, divide inch pounds by 12, or vice versa.

 

[spyryder]

You guys are awesome!! Thank you all! Since I don't have any 1/2" sockets, I'll need to look for 1/4" & 3/8" wrenches. Let the shopping begin....

I knew I should have bought more tools when I worked for Snap-on.:gaah:

You'll need a MINIMUM of a 1/2" drive torque wrench for the 36mm rear axle nuts, and I use a 3/4" - 1/2" adapter for that one. They don't make a socket that big for 3/8" drives.

 

[SpydherLuv]

Ok, so it sounds more like I'll need a 3/8" and 1/2". Will the 3/8" pretty much cover any of the torque values needed on the Sypder for which some folks use a 1/4" for?

 

[freebob]

torque wrench

Beware, many of the torque values used on the Spyder are below the bottom of the scale on some 1/2" torque wrenches. Good point about the inch-pound readings on many smaller torque wrenches. For you beginners, to convert to lbf-ft, divide inch pounds by 12, or vice versa.

I have a 1/2" torque wrench that starts at zero in 5lb increments...:thumbup:

 

[spyryder]

Ok, so it sounds more like I'll need a 3/8" and 1/2". Will the 3/8" pretty much cover any of the torque values needed on the Sypder for which some folks use a 1/4" for?

3/8" should be fine for just about anything except front lug nuts and the rear axle nut where you'd use the 1/2".

 

[NancysToy]

I have a 1/2" torque wrench that starts at zero in 5lb increments...:thumbup:

What brand? My ratcheting Craftsman starts at 20. My experience has been that most are fairly inaccurate near the bottom end. Have you checked against a beam wrench? I'd love to have one that worked well down low. Very interested!

 

[kml354]

torque

Working for Gov't contractors most of my life.

The following applies,
If wrench starts at Zero don't use at less than 20% of whole range. i:e: a 100 in lb wrench would only be used at 20 in lbs and higher.

If wrench has a number lets say from 20/100 in lbs, then you can start at 20.
Manufacture has taken the guess work out of the equation.

 

[freebob]

What brand? My ratcheting Craftsman starts at 20. My experience has been that most are fairly inaccurate near the bottom end. Have you checked against a beam wrench? I'd love to have one that worked well down low. Very interested!

Sorry failed to mention it is a specialized tool my Dad used in his business.
It is 0 to 150 ft.lbs. and he kept it calibrated...Doubt you could find one today....Brand Torqometer TQ-150....no ratchet...Also my local Snap on Tool dealer had it calibrated for me about 6 months ago....

 

[freebob]

Working for Gov't contractors most of my life.

The following applies,
If wrench starts at Zero don't use at less than 20% of whole range. i:e: a 100 in lb wrench would only be used at 20 in lbs and higher.

If wrench has a number lets say from 20/100 in lbs, then you can start at 20.
Manufacture has taken the guess work out of the equation.

True I have a 3/8 in.lb for that....mil. grade....

 

[NancysToy]

Sorry failed to mention it is a specialized tool my Dad used in his business.
It is 0 to 150 ft.lbs. and he kept it calibrated...Doubt you could find one today....Brand Torqometer TQ-150....no ratchet...Also my local Snap on Tool dealer had it calibrated for me about 6 months ago....

Well, I guess I'll stick to the old-fashioned way. Thanks for showing me the trophy, though!

 

[freebob]

I have seldom found use for a 1/4" drive torque wrench. I use 3/8" and 1/2" models on the Spyders. I prefer the ratcheting type, which allow you to work "blind". Sears Craftsman units are accurate and reliable. The Sears units read in both Nm and either lbf-ft or lbf-in. Be sure to back down a ratcheting torque wrench before you store it, or the spring will take a set and it will eventually read wrong. Testing them against beam-type torque wrenches periodically is a good idea, too.

True...Never really had use for 1/4" Torque wrench... Common sense prevails there...

 

[cougar]

The only thing I use a 1/4" torque wrench on are the small gas engines I have (weedwacker, edger, mower, air blower, etc.). Comes in handy. I also have been looking at a Craftsman with a range of 20 ft/lb to 250 ft/lb. It has a digital readout although it is a mechanical type wrench. Runs around $100.