All this torque about wrenches! But what I need to know is what to set mine to for my wheel lugs! I can't find the number anywhere.

 

I use 88 ft-lb on my Proto Torque Wrench.

Instead of Harbor Freight for cheap tools, try the local pawn shops. Proto, Craftsman, Snap-On, MAC, Matco, and other top quality brands can be bought for very little more than the cheapie imports. Pawn shopping is just like fishing. You never know what you'll catch until you go.

Rawhyde

 

I don't remember the number off the top of my head but it's in the User's Manual.

 

Dude! that's a GREAT idea. I think I'll go check out some tomorrow. It's always fun to see what you find there anyway.

 

I am completely new to this stuff, but want to get a torque wrench - as the idea of a wheel coming off freaks me out. As I look around I see that there are different sizes: 1/4", 1/2", 3/8" - with a 2005 MCS wearing R98's - what do I get?
thanks

.

 

Harbor Freight offers a nice one that's also cheap. It measures in ft. lbs., too. It's easy to calibrate and for the money, can't be beat. You'll also want a 17mm deep well socket [not the short one, unless you like skinned knuckles ].

Mine is half inch, and I torque at 90 ft. lbs.

 

for the lug bolts, a 1/2 inch drive torque wrench that scales up 150 ft-lbs is good. Do get a deep 17mm socket.

Now, if I wasn't hampered by the non-existant budget, I would invest in better torque wrenches. So the TireRack $30 special was good enough for my first DE.

 

 

Has anyone picked up an in-lbs torque wrench? Recommendations? I'm expecting these to be 1/4 in drives.


I already have:
Craftsman Digitork 1/2 in drive, 25-250 ft-lbs
Craftsman Digitork 3/8 in drive, 5-80 ft-lbs

 

Precession Instruments http://www.torqwrench.com/Products/Dials/D2Series.html makes torque wrenches for SnapOn and other major tool makers. The D2F100HMP is 3/8 th drive, with a range to cover any inch pound spec likely to be encountered on the MINI including aftermarket pulley spec; very high accuracy on this model, with small incremental readings.

 

I believe at least one person asked earlier about calibration... I found this pretty interesting:

http://www.rcramer.com/shop/torq_cal.shtml

 

I'm in the military and I know we only use digital ones from Snap-on for our stuff on Aircraft. I like snap-on but if you go a little cheaper go craftsman, they have a lifetime warranty, so if you think its broken, or out of calibration, go take it back and get a new one.

 

I have a Craftsman, and Sears said that the lifetime warranty does not apply to torque wrenches... I was bummed about that. Maybe I should ask at a different store?

I really want a flex head one, and I'm eye-balling this right now:

http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?P...OD&ProdID=9635

I don't need up to 250 though...

Let me check what Craftman has in a flex head...

 

Tell that to Honda.


Honda requires you use a dial type torque wrench for head bolts along with and angle gauge.


I like the dial type for large bolts, and I use a digital 3/8 in lb for small stuff and a digital 1/2 for medium sized stuff. All Snap On or Craftsman.

 

I got a Craftsman one, the manual says the warranty is only a year. I guess that's because Sears say torque wrenches need regular calibration.

When I was buying my wrench the Smaller Craftsman click one seemed just the right one. It claimed to go up to 250 ft-lb on the packaging and was nice and compact. Its actually 250 in-lb, not enough to torque a lug bolt to 140nm. It was kind of annoying to take it back, they'd sold it to me for 1/2 price on their sale. The big one wasn't on sale.

 

I do seem to recall the Sears guy saying that it's a fine instrument, and their lifetime does not apply... I was bummed, but it made sense.

A flex head is nice to have, as I learned on the rear trailing arm bushings...

It appears that Craftmen doesn't offer one. I'm about to pull the trigger on the Precision one I linked to above. I like how it doesn't have to be "turned down" after use, as I have forgotten before. I remember one time getting out of bed to to check, and realized that I did turn it down. I wouldn't have to worry about forgetting with this torque wrench. Actually, I'd just leave it on 88 ft-lbs for my wheels, as that is where I use it most often...

If anyone wants to read an enlightening conversation about extenions on torque wrenches, this might interet you:

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/flex...rth-72917.html

It originally caught my attention because of the title regarding a flex head being worth it or not...

If anyone has a recommendation for a flex head, 1/2", do share. I will otherwise order the one I mentioned...