How do I apply 14lbs-ft of torque

[yhelothar]

I did some work on my car, and the instructions says to tighten the bolts to 14lbs-ft of torque. So I'm guessing you need one of those pneumatic tools to get exactly 14lbs-ft.

So what would happen if I just tighten it with manual tools?

 

[InlineFour]

yeah, some bolts require a specific torque. i think you need a torque wrench.

http://www.branfordbike.com/images/tools/parktw2.jpg

EDIT: where is the bolt located?

 

[MasterAndCommander]

yep: torque wrench - I got a decent one for cheap at Harbor Freight.

 

[FoBoT]

you can get a cheap torque wrench for cheap from harbor freight, mine is ten years old and i never use it

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=807

 

[jagec]

pneumatic tools? No, no. You need a good torque wrench. In fact, the pneumatic tools that I've used didn't have torque settings, so it was easy to overtorque.

 

[dartworth]

wow....

 

[deadlyapp]

14 Ft/Lb's you can do by hand, it isn't much.

Most things don't require exact torque, only things that have to be flat, or perfectly torqued, IE heads, cam journals, crank journals, rod caps, etc.

I Don't generally use my torque wrenches while working on my car.

 

[BoomerD]

A properly sized torque wrench is the correct way to apply the specified torque to bolts/nuts. You MAY be able to get close by hand, but it will surprise you how far you are actually off if you measure with a torque wrench.

 

[imported_LoKe]

14lbs? Are you sure that's the right number?

 

[yhelothar]

ok.. pardon my newbness. I never seen a torque wrench . I was just tightening everything with a ratchet.

 

[imported_LoKe]

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
ok.. pardon my newbness. I never seen a torque wrench . I was just tightening everything with a ratchet.

Torque wrenches are essentially large bars that will click when it reaches a certain torque which you set manually.

 

[yhelothar]

thanks

 

[deadlyapp]

14 lbs/ft is a fairly used number, it's applicable to quite a few things on my car IIRC.

And Generally, it doesn't matter that much if you get close, as long as it's tight.

 

[iamwiz82]

Be careful not to get a cheap torque wrench, especially a clicker-style. They can be very inaccurate.

 

[BoomerD]

The "older style" have a needle and gauge like this:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product....orque+Wrenches&vertical=TOOL&ihtoken=1
The "newer style" MAY have a dial, and or adjustable torque setting, that will "click" when you reach the preste torque.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product....orque+Wrenches&vertical=TOOL&ihtoken=1

This is just another case of "you get what you pay for". Better more accurate torque wrenches will cost more than the cheapo "made in China" stuff sold at Harbor Freight.

 

[imported_LoKe]

A good torque wrence will run about, $400. Of course, unless you're a mechanic you will never need such an expensive wrench.

 

[yhelothar]

ok well so far I have it overtightened with a ratchet(definitely sure I put more than 14lbs-ft of torque). What can happen if it's too tight?

 

[spidey07]

I prefer the needle kind of torque wrench.

There's a certain "feel" to getting the torque right.

<---NOT a mechanic.

There are certain tools one should own. A torque wrench is one of them.

 

[LostWanderer]

Just tighten it as tight as you can get it, then go 1/2 turn past that. If 14 is good, then 50-60 should be real good. Use a cheater bar if you have to.



EDIT - Just kidding of course...never know in today's letigous society.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
ok well so far I have it overtightened with a ratchet(definitely sure I put more than 14lbs-ft of torque). What can happen if it's too tight?

Expand under heat, being too tight and applying pressure where it doesn't need be.

Oh, did I mention I'm not a mechanic and hopefully I'm posting the correct info?

 

[skyking]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: virtualgames0
ok well so far I have it overtightened with a ratchet(definitely sure I put more than 14lbs-ft of torque). What can happen if it's too tight?

Expand under heat, being too tight and applying pressure where it doesn't need be.

Oh, did I mention I'm not a mechanic and hopefully I'm posting the correct info?

That's one problem with overtightening. Another is the stretched fastener. It is weaker, and may fail down the road after a few cycles.

 

[imported_LoKe]

Depends on what you're tightening. If they're giving you a specific torque, it's generally a good idea to follow the directions. You don't have to be exact; but try to get it in the general area.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Chances are, if it only requires 14 lb/ft, then just snugging it by hand with a ratchet will be fine.

Otherwise, get a torque wrench.

 

[funkymatt]

what i used to do with my VW is use a bathroom scale to measure about what 14 lbs of pressure was and then use a long handled ratchet holding it 12" up on the handle. If you push roughly the same amount you were on the scale, it turns out to be pretty close. my mechanic, who helped me replace a bunch of stuff, was kinda surprised at how accurate this was.

 

[mugs]

Get a 1 ft bar and apply 14 pounds of force to it. Or get a 14 ft bar and apply 1 pound of force to it.