Torque Wrenches

[ugenmzs]

Hello, can anyone recommend a decent Torque Wrench for the purposes of loosening my rear axle nut?

Seems to be quite a few out there!

[Guest]

loosening, any wrench (non torque) will do..

tightening, again any "torque wrench" will do, they all do the same job. Snap-On tools are what garages use..

I do mine without.. years of working on things..

[techno]

I am the same I use an adjustable spanner!

[Colin the Bear]

Ring spanners and sockets are less likely to damage precious nuts and bolts. You don't have to spend a fortune but don't buy cheap spanners. They break and take your knuckles with them. Go for Chrome Vanadium steel. Quality second hand are just as good.

[k3vvk]

Snap on are the best but are really expensive if your not using them day in day out.

Was told by the guy from caltec (they do all the calibrations for my work) that harlfords torque wrenches are really good and hardly ever need adjusting and are reliable. If I was buying for occasional use i would be straight down there. only £50 I think.

[ugenmzs]

excellent - cheers for the advice, my local dealer also mentioned Halfords so will make the visit.

[Guest]

Snap-on are top quality, guaranteed for life tools. We use them working on gas turbines! Halfords 'professional range' are also very good quality and more than adequate for your needs. Start off with a 1/2" drive torque wrench for the axle nuts. Smaller nuts, done up with the correct size combination wrench, can usually be judged by hand. (However for the gas turbines I carry a 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive torque wrench as everything must be done by the book!!)

May your wheels stay on!!!

Happy riding

[Chrissb6]

Hi ya, you dont need a torque wrench to undo nuts or bolts. A good socket set with a power bar your best bet to carry out this task.

Torque wrenches are used to make sure nuts and bolts are tightened to there correct specification, as you probably found out you can overtighten, the danger of this is that you can stretch bolts to a point of snapping or strip threads, or on the other hand, run around with them loose.

[Pete]

I used to do a lot of things by feel alone but for some things I've found a torque wrench is invaluable. I don't have a Snap On one, I have a cheap and cheerful (but very, very solidly and well built) one from Screwfix:

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/18289/Han ... H-_-18289#

It was only £13 when I got it and has obviously gone up, but I can't fault it. In my opinion expensive tools like Snap On, great though they are, are aimed at everyday mechanics who will be tossing them around a workshop and abusing them everyday. Ones like the one I have are perfect for occasional/infrequent use. I've used mine on wheel nuts and never had a problem. Read the reviews underneath on that page to see other people's comments.

[Stu]

go for the halfords ones they are brilliant tools and there pro range is guaranteed for life

[Guest]

Al 2nd the Halford pro stuff Have the 150 peice socket/ratchet set in work and also one at home. Has doubled in price since i bought it tho.

[Guest]

What they said.

Halfords Professional all the way. I've only ever had 1 ratchet fail (jammed) which was about 5 years old, and they swapped it in store without question. (150 piece tool set)

In terms of torque wrenches - again Halfords, but for breaking nuts you need a breaker bar and the torque wrench for doing it back up again, as well as the right socket to fit your axle nut.

Expensive kit - but bought for life. It's 3 for 2 on all Halfords single sockets, spanners & screwdrivers at the moment.