Torque Wrenches - Advice Please

[RSPEC-015]

Hi,

I've recently taken delivery of a 5.0 Mustang GT over here in Sydney, Australia, after a 12 month wait.

I've also bought some gear such as Steeda Strut Tower and G-Trac braces, hood lifts and so on.

I was planning on fitting these myself, and maybe an exhaust system in the future, but don't have a torque wrench.

I've seen a couple on Amazon; one has a 150ft-lbs rating and the other 250ft-lbs.

Now I think I would only need the 150ft-lbs wrench as about the tightest torquing I've come across is 150ft-lbs for the wheels.

I'm just seeking some advice on what would be the best choice for me.

Cheers,

Jim

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[Aus-MustangGT]

I picked up a 3/8" drive torque wrench (Torque range 15 - 80 Foot/Lbs (19 - 110 Nm) from Super Cheap Auto, for 99.99, you can pick it up now on ebay for 79.99 on sale with the code CLICK20.

They also have the 1/2 inch drive (Torque range 30 - 150 Foot/Lbs (40 - 210 Nm) for 103.20 with the 20% off. So it really just depends what you are planning to use it for!

I can give you ebay links if you want and I'm not sure how long the sale goes for but it would only be a day or two max.

 

[JohnDoe]

Been using this for over a year (10k miles) with no issues
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C5ZL0RU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Maxes out at 150, just remember to reset it when not in use.

 

[RSPEC-015]

Hi Aus,

Thanks for that.

I'm bundling it with some other items on Amazon. I'd be going for the 150ft-lbs as I'd like to check the wheels myself. It's probably overkill for fitting mods though!

I've had my eye on the Tekton brand and also Gorilla.

Thanks Wesley for the info - I've seen plenty of photos of your Mustang!

 

[ForTehNguyen]

I would get 1/2" 25-250 ft# Tekton and a 120-960in# 3/8" drive. The torque wrench isnt as accurate at the extreme ends of its range, and there are some bolts on the mustang that are higher than 150 ft#. Its a heck of a lot easier to apply the higher torque values with the 25-250ft# once since its much longer. The front LCA torque was 184ft# to install my BMR front brace. Its easier to use a 3/8" 120-960in# in tighter spaces than a higher rated one which are longer, and when you do smaller bolts 1/2" gets in the way unless you want to use adapters.

this one is 120-960 in# which is the same as 10-80ft#, but its only 10.8" long as compared to the 18.5" 10-150 ft# one
http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-24325-...3801&sr=1-2&keywords=tekton+torque+wrench+3/8

1/2" 25-250 ft# one is 25" long to apply higher torque values
http://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-24340-...dp/B00C5ZL1NS?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

 

[HavasuCat]

My recommendation is the Snap-On Techwrench Digital Torque Wrench.
They are available in 25-250 ft-lbs, 1/2 inch drive and 10-100 ft-lbs, 3/8 inch drive.
We use these daily in our shop.
Some fasteners require accurate torque.
Every fastener I touch is torque per the book.
Spend more and get a quality wrench IMO.

 

[MedStang]

I have the tekton 25-250 lb and I find it hard to hear the click of when i've hit my desired poundage. Any tips for this? I'm a decently strong guy and I always worry that I'm over-tightening cause I never can find the click.

 

[jasonstang]

I have the tekton 25-250 lb and I find it hard to hear the click of when i've hit my desired poundage. Any tips for this? I'm a decently strong guy and I always worry that I'm over-tightening cause I never can find the click.

Go slow.

 

[MikeD1]

Anyone have suggestions for something higher quality than a $50 Techton but not as crazy expensive as the Snap-on for $480 ??

 

[mustang_guy]

I hope everyone here realizes that torque wrenchs need to be recalibrated every so often or more often depending on use. If you use it all the time it should be done yearly or if you dropped it.

I must do mine about every 6 months but im a master tech. Little different for me.

 

[mustang_guy]

Anyone have suggestions for something higher quality than a $50 Techton but not as crazy expensive as the Snap-on for $480 ??

This is a nice read. http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/additional-how-to/ccrp-1304-torque-wrench-testing/

More notes on how the others did ehen you go through the pictures

 

[HavasuCat]

I hope everyone here realizes that torque wrenchs need to be recalibrated every so often or more often depending on use. If you use it all the time it should be done yearly or if you dropped it.

I must do mine about every 6 months but im a master tech. Little different for me.

Ditto...
I work in an ISO 9001 environment and we send ours in every 12 months.
Also you will need to "exercise" the wrench weekly, what that means is if you mostly use it to tighten then you should secure the shank in a vise and apply movement in reverse, this helps to find a middle ground, we always do this before performing a "break away" torque reading on a fastener. This may not be known to the DIY people.

Pardon my long comment. I could go on,,, anybody up for a class? LOL

 

[Optimum Performance]

http://www.torqwrench.com/tools/item.php?StockCode=C3FR250F

Best bang for the buck, no stupid loaded spring that causes errors. They make them for Snap On. A very high quality instrument.

 

[Optimum Performance]

Ditto...
I work in an ISO 9001 environment and we send ours in every 12 months.
Also you will need to "exercise" the wrench weekly, what that means is if you mostly use it to tighten then you should secure the shank in a vise and apply movement in reverse, this helps to find a middle ground, we always do this before performing a "break away" torque reading on a fastener. This may not be known to the DIY people.

Pardon my long comment. I could go on,,, anybody up for a class? LOL

A lot of torque instruments are directional. They only torque.

 

[HavasuCat]

A lot of torque instruments are directional. They only torque.

Your point being?

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