Torque wrench

[UnhandledException]

Having lug nuts that require 150 ft/lbs poses a problem where my torque wrench (which wasnt cheap in the first place) is no longer enough. I believe the torque wrenches are not supposed to be utilized 20% of their low and high boundaries meaning for this car I need one of those 250 ft/lbs torque wrenches. The cheapest I found was $350 (CDI). Wanted to ask fellow members what they use. Also even with an expensive wrench, I see that they are only 2 ft long. Would be great if a longer handle was provided to apply that much torque gradually which is tough with a standard length torque wrench.

Thanks

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[kairojya]

I bought this one specifically for the 350's lug nuts: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C5ZL1NS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's well-reviewed, reasonably priced, and in its comfort zone with torquing 135-165 ft/lbs

 

[Kessler1320]

I just got one from harbor freight for $12 with the coupon

 

[Av8orntn]

I would recommend that you do not get one from Matco. I bought one of theirs and it has been junk.

 

[jacknifetoaswan]

I would recommend that you do not get one from Matco. I bought one of theirs and it has been junk.

Likewise, don't buy Craftsman. I had one of their 3/8" clicker torque wrenches fail just outside their 30 day warranty window, and they wouldn't do anything to help me, nor would they even look into sending it out for repair.

I have this torque wrench: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-50-250-ft-lbs-1-2-in-Drive-Torque-Wrench-H2DTWA/205914009

After the above mentioned Craftsman wrench failed, I bought two Husky units, back in 2003 - 2004, one was a 3/8", one was a 1/2". The 1/2" gets used all the time, and it finally failed in November, when I was buttoning things up after painting my calipers. I took it back to HD, and they replaced it with a brand new one, no questions asked. The 3/8" wrench is still in great shape. I keep the 1/2" wrench in the case, in my trunk, just in case.

JR

 

[jacknifetoaswan]

I just got one from harbor freight for $12 with the coupon

I wouldn't trust the precision of anything at Harbor Freight. I know that all torque wrenches have variation in their precision, and need to be calibrated frequently, but HF tools are cheap for a reason.

I wouldn't torque lugs with one, especially not on a GT350 or GT350R.

JR

 

[Ebm]

.

I wouldn't trust the precision of anything at Harbor Freight. I know that all torque wrenches have variation in their precision, and need to be calibrated frequently, but HF tools are cheap for a reason.

I wouldn't torque lugs with one, especially not on a GT350 or GT350R.

JR

Actually Harbor Freight torque wrenches have been proven to be accurate. More accurate than some name brands like Craftsman. Just because the tools are cheap doesn't mean they are complete shit. It just means they are made in another country that has cheap labor.

I have Harbor Freight, CDI(Snap On), and Tekton torque wrenches. I usually use the CDI wrench because it is digital and you can change units very easily. But the CDI wrench only goes up to 100. My Tekton is used for anything higher than 100. My harbor freight is used for anything from 1 to 17.

 

[GT_Dave]

When you have a 30 ft-lb window to work in, pretty much any available torque wrench with a minimum 180 to 200 ft-lb capacity will work for you.

 

[Tank]

1/2 drive - CDI 2053MFRMH
3/8 drive - CDI 752MFRMH
Combined list on Amazon is under $400.

A bit up there but my only other TW was an old bar type. I wanted to trust I was torquing the filter and lugs to spec..and I only wanted to buy them once

 

[H6G]

Having lug nuts that require 150 ft/lbs poses a problem where my torque wrench (which wasnt cheap in the first place) is no longer enough. I believe the torque wrenches are not supposed to be utilized 20% of their low and high boundaries meaning for this car I need one of those 250 ft/lbs torque wrenches. The cheapest I found was $350 (CDI). Wanted to ask fellow members what they use. Also even with an expensive wrench, I see that they are only 2 ft long. Would be great if a longer handle was provided to apply that much torque gradually which is tough with a standard length torque wrench.

Thanks

Precision Instruments PREC3FR250F Silver 1/2" Drive Split Beam Torque Wrench (50-250 ft lbs.)

Being a ‘split beam’ torque wrench, it does not require to be dialed down to ‘0’ to keep tension off the spring. As far as accuracy is concerned, it’s dead on.... when compared to Snap-On. You can get at a relatively good price from Amazon.... Approx. $160
I also have the same wrench in 3/8’s.

 

[Thundersteel]

I work in a calibration laboratory that calibrates torque wrenches, among other things.

CDI, Snap-On, and Armstrong are the better quality ones. I wouldn't trust a Harbor Freight wrench. They're OK for some things, but they're cheaply built.

It's true that a torque wrench shouldn't be used under 20% of its capacity, but there's no harm in using them at 100%.

You should see the 600 ft-lb and 1,000 ft-lb wrenches--they're huge!

 

[Tomster]

I bought this one specifically for the 350's lug nuts: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C5ZL1NS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's well-reviewed, reasonably priced, and in its comfort zone with torquing 135-165 ft/lbs

That's the one I have. Nice torque wrench

 

[Tomster]

[MENTION=15987]H6G[/MENTION]

Not to side track this thread, but your avatar is a sub. I departed FLL yesterday and Immediately off the coast was a nuclear sub (Virginia class I believe) on the surface heading south along the coast with an escort boat along side of it. It seemed very unusual to be there. Sure, I have seen them coming and going out of Kings Bay or Norfolk, but never something like this. Runway 10L, Runway heading, 15-30 seconds after feet wet, flew right over it.

Do you have any background in subs or insight on what it was doing there (on the surface IMMEDIATELY off the coast of FLL)?

 

[jacknifetoaswan]

@H6G
Do you have any background in subs or insight on what it was doing there (on the surface IMMEDIATELY off the coast of FLL)?

I'm not saying this to be funny or facetious, but that's secret information, as in, anyone associated with the DoD that has a security clearance, and has a reason to know where or why that sub is where it is, could get in some serious trouble for disclosing it.

JR

 

[Ebm]

.

I work in a calibration laboratory that calibrates torque wrenches, among other things.

CDI, Snap-On, and Armstrong are the better quality ones. I wouldn't trust a Harbor Freight wrench. They're OK for some things, but they're cheaply built.

It's true that a torque wrench shouldn't be used under 20% of its capacity, but there's no harm in using them at 100%.

You should see the 600 ft-lb and 1,000 ft-lb wrenches--they're huge!

Snap-On's prices are outrageous. I don't know who would pay that much unless you made a living using it. CDI is part of Snap-On. You get Snap-On quality with a lower price. They are offering a lower price because they are importing a few items used to make the CDI torque wrench versus the Snap-On branded product that has no imported parts(supposedly, read below).

These days you never know if a Snap-On, Mac Tools, etc product has all of its parts made here and is assembled here or not.

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