How do you apply proper torque

[Ren]

I've been hearing all the fb specs. and proper torque. I am still too fresh to mechanic stuffs. I found that there are torque wrenches but they are expensive. so how do you guys apply proper torque? is there any easy mothed?

[ILikeMy240sx]

I got my torque wrench from ebay for a really cheap price. Im sure its not the same quality as say Kraftsman or other name brands but it works and works quite well.

If you really dont want one... you can get ft long bar. Also get a scale. If the torque spec is 50lb*ft then push on the scale until it reads 50 lbs. Thats the approximate force you have to apply to that ft long bar to get 50lb*ft. If you have 2ft it would be 25lb instead.

Torque = F*R

Just get a torque wrench from ebay... its cheap and it works

[fiznat]

lol if I EVER see anyone trying to do that ghetto "torque wrench" method with the 1 foot bar I'm gonna punch them directly in the face hahaha.

Just buy a regular torque wrench, they are less than $100 even for nice ones, and it is a required too for most mechanic work. Suck it up!

[Atomic-S14]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...&rd=1

is that the cheap one?

[ILikeMy240sx]

hahaha when you are desperate and you need to pull Mcguyver moves..... you know what to do

yea thats about how much I paid for my torque wrench

[93sleeper]

Sears sells several models of beam-type torque wrenches for really cheap ($20-30). They're not quite as accurate as the dial types but they work just fine.

[BadMojo]

Sears sells several models of beam-type torque wrenches for really cheap ($20-30). They're not quite as accurate as the dial types but they work just fine.

Agreed. Beam-type torque wrenches aren't super accurate, but it sure is better than nothing. You'll wish you had a good torque wrench the first time you overtorque a valve cover bolt.

[jacob360]

I have to agree with everyone. Get a torque wrench.

It takes alot of experience (and alot of broken bolts and stuff) to develop a good wrench feel. I've gotten pretty good, but I work on cars for a living. I always use a torque wrench on critical parts.

Trust the torque too. I learned that one the hard way. Spec was 15 ft/lbs for the pressure plate to flywheel bolts. I torqued it, and it just felt so light and easy. I thought, "that couldn't be right, that's not tight enough to hold a clutch on." I started to tighten the bolt, and the head snapped right off. Then I got to practice another mechanical skill, drilling and extraction

[Ren]

thanks for the replys guys.. is the ebay torque wrenches trustee? they are so cheap compare to the snap on or craftsman

[ILikeMy240sx]

they certainly are not good quality as snap or craftsman but they get the job done...

[jacob360]

Get a Craftsman. It's perfect for the home user, you can't beat the warranty and you can get it recalibrated periodically.

[Ren]

alrighty.. but what size? 1/2.. or.. 3/8? which one is commonly used?

[kane2g]

i got the 1/2 in oneyou can always get a 1/2-3/8 adapter for small stuff

[Hijacker]

the snap on wrenches are a higher quality wrench only because they're made of metal. My craftsman dial in is perfect, except for when my first one had the locking collar break on me.

I wouldn't trust the ebay wrenches to tighten an ARP bolt into an iron block to be honest. And since my motor's made out of the same stuff as a soda can, I want a wrench I can trust.

[Anand]

spend a little more and get a good torque wrench...

go to sears and buy a craftsman.... it's $100 and well worth it...

[skylndrftr]

the click types are actually very accurate...they jsut usually aren't properly used. If the wrench clicks in realirty you are overtightening. I kid who was on our SAE formula team worked at a connecting rod plant and they had to actualy train on a torque meter before they were allowed to touch anything on actual parts. just pull up till you feel it stop adding torque, right before it clicks

[gumby]

the cheapo deflecto beam ones suck ***

[^xero^]

I have owned a craftsman 3/8 clicker style torque wrench for a few months to work on my 240sx and my motorcycle. It costs $70 and think it is a fine tool but I sold an old guitar and going to upgrade to 1/4 and 3/8 proto torque wrenchs which will end up being about $250-$260.

I feel your pain about dropping the money when things are tight but getting a quality torque wrench is IMPORTANT and will most likely last a lifetime if taken care of.