| Author | Message | ||
     Shea |
I will be buying a service manual for my XB12 and one of the tools I will be getting is a torque wrench. I have never bought one before, so I have no idea what I am looking for. Any tips on what to look for? | ||
| Bomber |
as with all tools, buy the best you can -- Sears is a decent brand, and mine have served me well for quite a long time . . . you can buy either beam type or the ones where you dial in the desired torque, and they go click when they get there -- I prefer the latter, as you don't have to be in a position to see the torque reading when you get there -- they are a little more pricey, but worth it, IMO avoid, at all costs, inexpensive imports for torque wrenches -- they will only dissapoint (through breackage of themselves or the fastener you are torquing) -- lastly, make sure you know which size and range of torque you need -- you may, like me and others, wind up with three of the little dears -- 1/4 inch drive in/lb, 3/8 inch drive medium range ft/lb, and 1/2 inch drive big mamoo -- generally, a good 3/8 drive will cover 75% of the fastereners you'll be dealing with enjoy the tool buying adventure! | ||
| 12r |
The best you can afford and probably more than one. Little fasteners like those on the primary inspection cover are tightened to something like 50 in-lbs (believe me that ain't much) while more serious stuff like the rear axle needs 50 ft-lbs. Click wrenches can result in over-torque conditions and you may want to consider a break-over or cam-over wrench. | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
make sure they are dialed in correctly. amazing how "off" they can be from the factory. | ||
| Tpoppa |
You will ned 2 torque wrenches. 1 for ft/lbs 1 for inch/lbs Read the manual carefully don't confuse the two. | ||
| Shea |
Thanks guys/gals. This helps alot. | ||
| Sloppy |
A torque wrench is one of the most important tools in your arsenal -- especially when people bet their life when they use their "torque elbow". Sears / Craftsman does not warranty their torque wrenches, so I'd be careful about purshasing their stuff. I'd recommend going through Grainger and see if there's a supply shop close to you. Prices are decent (about $70) and are lifetime warranty. If you want I can give you the model numbers you should look at. I'd recommend a 1/2" drive, at a minimum max. setting of 200 ft-lbs. If they have it for 250 ft-lbs it would be better. Also get a 3/8" drive, these typically go up to 75 ft-lbs. You can also go for a 1/4" drive which typically go up to 15 ft-lbs, but most of the time you'll just use the 3/8" drive. When comparing the ranges of torque wrenches you need to be careful about both the range and the intervals -- make sure you are comparing the same units!!! IMO, a torque wrench is most accurate when it gives you the desired torque reading at the middle of its range. Warning: torque wrenches are sensitive devices. They'll last a LONG time as long as you don't drop or bang them. | ||
| Djkaplan |
"Sears / Craftsman does not warranty their torque wrenches, so I'd be careful about purshasing their stuff. " Right after I purchased my ft-lb torque wrench from Sears, the locking collar broke on it. The fact that Sears wouldn't replace it is one of the few disappointments I've had with Craftsman products. Not a real big deal, but it's a problem I wouldn't have had with a Snap-On torque wrench. | ||
| Davo |
Be sure to see the stripped oil plug thread. Even a short handled 3/8 torque wrench will fool your palm as to what you are familiar with as being tight enough with a regular wrench. For example the oil plug specs on the ULY is twice what it should be. I too went to 27 ft./lbs(348in./lbs.), but now NO more than 168 in./lbs.(14 ft./lbs.)!! | ||
| Spike |
Plenty of good advice here already. Just make sure to get one sized appropriately for the stuff you'll need it for. That may mean buying more than one. Also, your torque wrench may become the single most important hand tool you own, so get a good one right from the start. |
