torque wrench opinions

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xjbubba

NAXJA Member # 1524

Location

santa barbara, ca

• Nov 22, 2005

• #1

Realized I need an inch/pound torque wrench to set up pinion reload and adjust upper ball joints on my D44 project.
Googled for torque wrenches and came up with many choices, ranging from $10 (Harbor Freight) to $150+ (such as Snap-on tools). Generally I buy Craftsman, but came across a consumer report that discouraged buying their torque wrench ($70). Any opinions regarding a decent in/lb torque wrench under $100?

 

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devildog0

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Hunt County Texas

• Nov 22, 2005

• #2

Yeah craftsman won't cover their torque wrenches on their warranty. Not sure why probably becuase of the liability of having a calibrated torque wrench and having someones hub fall off because they didn't torque properly. I have a craftsman inch pounder and it works fine and have a harbor freight 20 dollar 5-80 ft. lber. I like them both can't beat the HF for the price but the craftsman one is definatlly way ahead as far as manufacturing and quality.

 

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gjxj

NAXJA Forum User

Location

ohio

• Nov 22, 2005

• #3

Whatever CR had to say about a tool must have been good for a laugh. Did they give points for color? Size print in the instruction book?
Craftsman is fine, I'm sure the no-lifetime-warranty is because people would return them every year for a new one just for calibration.

 

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jeepsrock

NAXJA Forum User

Location

LA California

• Nov 22, 2005

• #4

If you are like me and rarely use a tool like that , then i would go and buy a cheap one. Normally i buy craftsman and husky tools too, but i would only use it rarely on lug nuts and other sensitive bolts...I picked up a china made one from CQ auto for 18$, it has worked and does the job.

pete

 

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VegasAnthony

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Las Vegas

• Nov 22, 2005

• #5

first off to set pinion preload you cant use a clicker type in/pound so yoiu have to go with a either a dial type big $$ nothin under $100 there
I bought one for $50 shipped from a bike shop worked great
acuuracy isnt all that great but it worked for me..

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=11387&subcategory_ID=4219

 

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gjxj

NAXJA Forum User

Location

ohio

• Nov 22, 2005

• #6

If you go cheap, definately get an old style open beam type (like in the last link).
They are plenty accurate. I would simply not trust a "cheap" no-name micrometer.
And of course you can see the load instead of waiting for a click..

 

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xjbubba

NAXJA Member # 1524

Location

santa barbara, ca

• Nov 22, 2005

• #7

Thanks for the input--especially the point about not being able to use the clicker-type torque wrench for pinion preload checking. Looks like I'll be looking for the "open-beam" type.

 

langer1

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Mineral City,Ohio

• Nov 22, 2005

• #8

What ever brand you chose, don't get the clicker type.
They only set torque, for setup you must have a torque wrench that reads torque.