Hot Rods Torque wrench

Hi, need to do a job that requires 150 ft. lbs. of torque. Not sure if I trust my old torque wrench. Anybody have a good brand to purchase ?

 

Test it against one that is proven. My boy did that with my 30 year old Snap On one I bought for 50 bucks at a garage sale. It was tested against a near new 400-dollar unit and passed the test.

 

Check out CDI torque wrenches. A division of Snap-On. Well made, can be re-calibrated, and comfortable to use. I have been pleased with mine.

 

I did a similar test on it this summer. Was close but am dealing with a specific off topic car. Do not want to cause an issue. Some claim has to be 150 ft/lbs for lugs no more no less. I am use to 100-125 ft lbs but this application says 150 on the button. Thought it was time to purchase a new one without breaking the bank. Thanks.

 

Have the calibration checked

 

You might look up torque wrench calibration, depending how good your torque wrench is it my be to your advantage to get yours calibrated.

Phil

 

Agree. Locally it is around $50 to have a torque wrench recalibrated, about $120 for an el-cheapo new one, and $250 for a Snap-on version.

Cheers,
Harv

 

Rent one
Unless you need it more often

 

Hi, stopped at a friends shop tonight. Tested my old click torque wrench against his nice top shelf calibrated one. Mine was right there with his. But I will tell you had to yank my Ass off trying to get to 150. He agrees 150 too much for alloy wheels with 14 mm x 1.50 thread but factory spec is 150. The bolt we tested it on is almost galled. Think I will try 120 on lugs tomorrow and check them the next few days to see if they creep. Thanks.

 

I just bought a new Williams one. I haven't used it yet, though. Some of the paperwork it came with has Snap On printed on it so I guess they are owned by Snap On now.

Gary

 

Have several from Lowes, kobalt, tested against my re-calibrated snap - on ones, ok. However they were purchased 5 years ago, still accurate.

 

The Icon line at Harbor Freight has consistently shown amazing accuracy vs far more expensive Torque Wrenches. I picked one up a couple years ago and have routinely had the Snap-On guy check it on his machine, and it remains within .03 lb ft after years of usage.
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-50-250-ft-lb-professional-torque-wrench-64064.html

~Peter

 

SnapOn has owned Williams for years, Williams is their industrial line.

 

Are you sure it's not Nm your reading.. ?
Most charts recommend 150Nm .. i.e. about 110 lb ft for 14mmx1.50 Grade 8.8

 

Hi, going to check the owners manual in the morning. Yes I agree with you. 150 ft/lbs on a wheel lug is way too much but other site on line say 150 ft/lbs. 110 would be correct for an alloy wheel lug nut. Will post what I find.

 

This ! I know a few guys who have bought the cheap princess auto torque wrench and while not for daily use , it’s an accurate torque wrench that does the job for the “ every once in a while “ that you would need it .

if it’s a tapered lug nut don’t put to much thought into it .


Only time I had and have seen issues with specific lug nut torque was when ford used those stupid flanged lug nuts in the early 2000’s on their pick up trucks and they required a huge torque spec to keep them from coming loose .


Any ways , yeah .

 

150ft/lbs may be correct. My pickup (03 Chevy 4x4) has a spec of 135 ft/lbs.

And ooooo,,I have to go to HF and get a new Aircompressor pump, and may also bring home that TW too.

 

Precision Instrument makes excellent torque wrenches. They make them for Mac and SnapOn, albeit with each company’s ratchet heads. I have one of each at work, but I never use my engine torque wrenches on anything but engines, I have others for mundane things like lug nuts.

 

We had wrench checkers on the wall at work and I brought some of mine in to check. I had old Sears beam types, Craftsman and HF click types. All of them checked out well. All you have to do is find a local place that will let you borrow their checker. Good luck.

 

My son was a jet engine mechanic in the Air Force and Air Guard. Part of his job was to maintain the tool inventory. NO ONE is more meticulous than the Air Force about tool control and verification and calibration. Found out that Snap On often rebrands stuff and marks the price up. Lots of problems as well with getting them to replace or repair stuff as well.
The thing is, even if someone buys a new torque wrench, they never get them recalibrated. I'd buy a second torque wrench and then use it to make comparison tests against your existing wrench. Then if they both check out, once a year check them again against each other. That should at least tell you if you need recalibration each time you need to torque something. Much as I hate buying anything at HF these days, they got good reviews in a comparison test.

Here is a picture of my Torque Hammer which lets me adjust the amount of force I use when hammering a panel or stud. Never seen another one like it........


Just Kiddin!

 

Lowes had one on sale for $69 around BF. If it’s stink on sale, I would look into that. I think it was their Kobalt house brand.

My ancient Craftsman clicker from the early eighties still works fine, and for an occasional user, a simple beam style is as about as accurate as you can get, ( if you can view the pointer). Nothing to go out of calibration on them.

They aren’t trendy though, so they have fallen out of favor.

 

An off topic 2019 Ford Edge is 163 lbs for lug nut torque. Many newer vehicles are in that range. I bought a longer one for the same reason that has been mentioned.

 

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-25-250-ft-lb-digital-torque-adapter-58706.html
https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-59-to-59-ft-lbs-digital-torque-adapter-58705.html
https://www.harborfreight.com/34-in-drive-150-750-ft-lb-digital-torque-adapter-58707.html

"Torque Adapter" I got one on sale. Had to try it. Checks out against a Snap On clicker and an auto parts store beam. Works really well in spite of itself. Makes any wrench a torque wrench. Think digital dyno, it's a load cell after all Mike

 

Timely thread for me, as I just walked next door to get my Dads "clicker type". I normally use his for engine stuff & my old Craftsman needle type for less critical stuff.

I am doing heads on one of my OT diesel transport truck engines, 18 bolts per head... 4 actions per bolt. 37lbs, 59lbs, 90deg then 75 deg. I think I can leave biceps & lats out of today's workout!

I read on another forum yesterday that Matco click type owners can have their clicker fixed & calibrated with a few day turn around from a company recommended by Matco for $95.00 shipped. Unfortunately since I am on more than a dozen car forums...I can't remember which one it was to ell you the name of the company. A call to Matco will get it, if I find it again, I will post it.

God bless
Bill
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...ar-transport-hauling-open-or-enclosed.614419/

 

Do you guys actually torque your lug nuts ? Really, do you? If I'm assembling a motor or some assembly that calls for an inch lb setting, or a rear end.........I'll use a torque wrench. Other than that.......its good ole TFAR for everything.

(That Feels About Right)

 

I have NEVER torqued a lug nut in my life, however I have been using the same 1/2 inch impact gun for 30 + years & I tighten every wheel the exact same every time with that gun & have never had any issues!

God Bless
Bill
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...ar-transport-hauling-open-or-enclosed.614419/

 

I have a friend [anal] that torques everything, I'd bet even flash light batteries!

 

My neighbor would fire you after the 2nd warning. Without hesitation.

 

O.K. Results are in. Owners manual states 150 ft./lbs. on lugs not Nm. So lugs I removed (fac.) has a big taper to them that match the factory wheels. I found anywhere from 60-100 ft./lbs. of torque on lugs. Scary indeed so going to have son monitor lugs each month. Aftermarket alloy wheels with snow tires have a different lug taper much narrower. I torqued the lugs up to 110 ft./lbs. Again going to monitor lugs every month. Yes this application is a Ford product. Thanks for all the help on this and hope I did not start a fire storm on this OT ride. Boy do I miss my 69 Camaro with my 5 spoke Keystone alloy wheels. No crazy torque for them back then.

 

Torque is important on cars with those hat style rotors. Incorrect torque is claimed by the manufacturers to warp them. Every nut and bolt has a torque spec. Many are ignored.