Tools = expensive!

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Rastus

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
4,704
3
0
You don't need no stinkin' torque wrench. Just tighten one down until it snaps off, then do the rest just a little less.

When you are doing heads, just tighten them all down to 'two white knuckles'.
 

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: Ornery
Originally posted by: DaTT
I haven't used a torque wrench to put a wheel on since high school auto class during an exam.
Apparently alkemyst ALWAYS does! :roll:
That's OK. A lot of sub-standard mechanics have no ability to torque something down by feel.

ZV
Oh, man. :p
 

DrPizza

Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
Mar 5, 2001
49,601
167
111
www.slatebrookfarm.com
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: Ornery
Originally posted by: DaTT
I haven't used a torque wrench to put a wheel on since high school auto class during an exam.
Apparently alkemyst ALWAYS does! :roll:
That's OK. A lot of sub-standard mechanics have no ability to torque something down by feel.

ZV

zinnnng
 

CFster

Golden Member
Oct 16, 1999
1,903
0
76
Originally posted by: Rastus
You don't need no stinkin' torque wrench. Just tighten one down until it snaps off, then do the rest just a little less.

When you are doing heads, just tighten them all down to 'two white knuckles'.

I usually tighten until it starts to strip, then back off half a turn ;)



 

SupaDupaCheez

Platinum Member
Nov 21, 2000
2,034
0
0
One thing to keep in mind is that once you do get a Torque Wrench, you need to remember that it is NOT to be used as a normal ratchet. Do not use it to loosen nuts/bolts on a regular basis. Also use a firm steady pulling motion to tighten. Never 'bounce' it or 'jerk' it. All of the above items will ruin the calibration on the wrench.

If you really want to get anal, if you are using a new bolt, you need to torque it down once, remove it, add a bit of oil to the threads (they sell special oil for it) and retorque it.

Just my contribution to the thread :)
 

Antisocial Virge

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 1999
6,578
0
0
Originally posted by: CFster
Originally posted by: Rastus
You don't need no stinkin' torque wrench. Just tighten one down until it snaps off, then do the rest just a little less.

When you are doing heads, just tighten them all down to 'two white knuckles'.

I usually tighten until it starts to strip, then back off half a turn ;)


Funny thing is that the proper torque specs for a VW diesel head I put on was "75 ft/lbs and a 1/2 turn" I kid you not.

If I ever see anyone using a torque wrench installing tires I always think "should not be working on the car" in the back of my head.
 

Originally posted by: Ornery
Originally posted by: DaTT
I haven't used a torque wrench to put a wheel on since high school auto class during an exam.
Apparently alkemyst ALWAYS does! :roll:
Alkemyst was also writing mortgages at 13 years old.
 

Black88GTA

Diamond Member
Sep 9, 2003
3,430
0
0
Originally posted by: Gillbot
I bought two of these when they were $9.99:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=239

Took them to work and put them on our tester and they were more accurate than my sears. I've been using them for about 4 years now with ZERO issues. Granted, they are not top quality but for $9.99, if they last a few years each I'd be happy.

I have that one. I was actually surprised when I got it - much higher quality than i was expecting. I also have the smaller HF 3/8 drive one (75 ft/lb) that I picked up for $7.49 on sale. Both seem to work pretty well.
 

myusername

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2003
5,046
0
0
Originally posted by: Antisocial Virge
If I ever see anyone using a torque wrench installing tires I always think "should not be working on the car" in the back of my head.
Jeeps have problems with warping rotors if the lugnuts aren't torqued evenely and to spec.
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
One soon learns early in life that you get what you pay for when it comes to tools.

-edit-
And you don't need a torque wrench for wheels. 1/4 turn past snug will do.
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
Originally posted by: myusername
Originally posted by: Antisocial Virge
If I ever see anyone using a torque wrench installing tires I always think "should not be working on the car" in the back of my head.
Jeeps have problems with warping rotors if the lugnuts aren't torqued evenely and to spec.

shens.
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,154
635
126
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: myusername
Originally posted by: Antisocial Virge
If I ever see anyone using a torque wrench installing tires I always think "should not be working on the car" in the back of my head.
Jeeps have problems with warping rotors if the lugnuts aren't torqued evenely and to spec.

shens.

Because you know everything about everything. Right:roll:
 

Antisocial Virge

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 1999
6,578
0
0
Originally posted by: myusername
Originally posted by: Antisocial Virge
If I ever see anyone using a torque wrench installing tires I always think "should not be working on the car" in the back of my head.
Jeeps have problems with warping rotors if the lugnuts aren't torqued evenely and to spec.

Then Jeep should get that fixed.
 

brxndxn

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2001
8,475
0
76
I've never heard of a torque wrench being required for changing tires.. I mean.. if you have one handy, use it.. But I don't see why tires lug nuts can't just be tightened with a ratchet.
 

Pacfanweb

Lifer
Jan 2, 2000
13,158
59
91
Originally posted by: brxndxn
I've never heard of a torque wrench being required for changing tires.. I mean.. if you have one handy, use it.. But I don't see why tires lug nuts can't just be tightened with a ratchet.
Most professional places nowadays use torque sticks on their impact guns when they are tightening wheels.
I never bothered....I've put thousands of wheels on with a 1/2" impact and never had a rotor warp because of me screwing it up.
There is some feel involved with it.
 

randomlinh

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
20,846
2
0
linh.wordpress.com
Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
Originally posted by: brxndxn
I've never heard of a torque wrench being required for changing tires.. I mean.. if you have one handy, use it.. But I don't see why tires lug nuts can't just be tightened with a ratchet.
Most professional places nowadays use torque sticks on their impact guns when they are tightening wheels.
I never bothered....I've put thousands of wheels on with a 1/2" impact and never had a rotor warp because of me screwing it up.
There is some feel involved with it.

unfortunately, some places over tighten it so when it comes to changing your tire because it blew out on the highway.. makes it a little difficult w/ the standard tire change kit that comes w/ the car. I now also carry a breaker bar and my 21mm socket in my car
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: myusername
Originally posted by: Antisocial Virge
If I ever see anyone using a torque wrench installing tires I always think "should not be working on the car" in the back of my head.
Jeeps have problems with warping rotors if the lugnuts aren't torqued evenely and to spec.

shens.


No, that's true. It's a known issue with Grand Cherokees.
 

MasterAndCommander

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2004
3,656
0
71
Originally posted by: Gillbot
I bought two of these when they were $9.99:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=239

Took them to work and put them on our tester and they were more accurate than my sears. I've been using them for about 4 years now with ZERO issues. Granted, they are not top quality but for $9.99, if they last a few years each I'd be happy.


I've got the same one and it has worked great for me - :thumbsup:

HarborFreight FTW!
 

arcenite

Lifer
Dec 9, 2001
10,660
7
81
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: spidey07
Originally posted by: myusername
Originally posted by: Antisocial Virge
If I ever see anyone using a torque wrench installing tires I always think "should not be working on the car" in the back of my head.
Jeeps have problems with warping rotors if the lugnuts aren't torqued evenely and to spec.

shens.


No, that's true. It's a known issue with Grand Cherokees.

owned :p