Hi,
I’m pondering which size and make of torque wrench. Do I need a the lower range of a 3/8 or will 1/2 cover everything?
Teng seem good, Draper seem a lot cheaper. There’s lots of ‘cheap’ ones around too - are they best avoided?
Cheers,
Theo
I’d go for the 1/2 - I think I had mine from Halfords.
Either haggle the price, or wait for the sales. (And I don’t want to hear any moaning about haggling being the cause of the current economic climate, thank you).
I think it probably depends on how seriously you are going to use it – if you plan to do a lot of stripping and rebuilding, a good brand is worth paying for; if you just want to ensure you don’t overtighten the wheel nuts or sump plug, then a cheapo from a market stall would suffice.
I got a couple of Norbar’s off Ebay, 8-55NM and 55-200Nm in
1/2" socket. Approx accurate to 3% (when new) paid less than £100 for
the two.
Another vote for Norbar - although for home use I would consider other makes if the price was right. For heavy use I would stick with Norbar, we still have some at work that are over 10 years old ang get used every day - if they stray by over 5% they go in the bin.
I bought a Snap On Torque wrench some 25 years ago just had it calibration check done on it, it was 2% out of toleance not bad for a 25 yr old torque wrench 20 lbs -250 lbs/sq in half inch drive ratchet head still in red plastic box.
Look after your tools and they will look after you[maz]
How / where do you get a torque wrench checked?
These guys have a fully accredited service centre
http://www.cromwell.co.uk/services/calib/calib_prices?id=yGXSKY4Q
Very useful link – thanks Geoff
I notice that there are different ‘ranges’ availible ie 10 - 80 or 40 - 210. What would be the best choice for someone looking to do the most common jobs?
Here’s a list of all the torque figures, they are available in the tech faq-----
Except where noted, all torque specifications listed are in Foot-pounds / Newton-meters.
General
Spark plugs 11-17 (132-204 in-lbs)
Engine oil drain plug (19mm) 22-30/31-41
Gearbox drain plug (24mm) 29-43/39-59
Gearbox fill plug (square) 18-29/25-39
Differential drain plug (24mm) 29-40/39-54
Differential fill plug (23mm) 29-40/39-54
Wheel nuts 66-86/89-117
Suspension
Swaybar bushing bolts, front
rear
13-20/18-26
14-21/20-28
Swaybar end link bolts, both ends 27-40/36-54
Upper shock mount plate bolts 22-27/29-36
Upper shock nuts 23-34/31-46
Lower shock bolt 54-69/73-93
Lower control arm bolt, front 54-69/73-93
Spindle (vertical) bolt 54-69/73-93
Camber adjustment bolts, (D or H-style) front
rear
69-83/94-112
54-70/73-95
Brakes
Front/rear bracket bolts 36-51/49-69
Caliper bolts, front
rear
58-65/78-88
25-29/34-39
Front/rear banjo bolts 16-22/22-29
Rear adjuster plug bolt 9-12/12-16
Engine & Cooling
Crank pulley bolt (1990 - early 1991) 80-87/108-118
(plus Loctite 242-blue)
Crank pulley bolt (late 1991 - present) 116-122/157-165
(plus Loctite 242-blue)
Cam cover bolts (must be done in correct order) 43-78 in-lbs
Alternator mounting bolt 27-38/37-52
Alternator tension adjustment bolt 14-19/19-25
Water pump - 4 bolts to block 14-19/19-25
Water inlet pipe - 2 bolts to water pump 14-19/19-25
Radiator - upper bolts 14-19/19-25
Thermostat cover - 2 bolts 14-19/19-25
Timing belt tensioner bolt & idler pulley bolt 28-38/38-52
Timing belt cover bolts 14-18/19-24
Cylinder head bolts (must be done in stages and in correct order.) 56-60/76-81
Intake / Exhaust
Airflow meter bolts 69-95 in-lbs
Intake manifold bracket 27-40/36-54
O2 sensor by feel, as close to
22-36 ft-lbs as possible
Exhaust pipe clamp bolt (to bell housing) 15-20/21-27
Bell housing bolts 48-65/65-88
Exhaust header nuts 28-34/38-46
Cat converter nuts (both ends) 30-41/40-55
Clutch
Transmission front cover bolts 14-18/19-24
Flywheel bolts 71-75/96-102
Pressure plate bolts 14-19/19-25
Bell housing bolts 48-65/65-88
Prop shaft nuts 20-22/27-30
Power plant frame bolts 77-91/104-123
Starter motor bolts 28-38/38-51
Starter motor mounting bracket bolts 28-38/38-51
Slave cylinder fluid tube 9-16 (113-190 in. lbs.)
Slave cylinder mounting bolts 12-16/16-22
Thanks for the replies. Couldn’t stretch to a Norbar, so I plumped for a 3/8 Teng in the end, which covers the range I reckon I’ll encounter in the near future. I’ve also put a print-out of the torques list in the case - thanks!
I’ve done enough cam-covers and spark plugs on eighties alloy-headed bangers to get a feel for really low torque settings. If in doubt, use a 1/4 ratchet!
The NGK diagram on their spark plug boxes is useful too (1/8 turn to initial resistance plus 1/2 to 2/3 for a first tightening).
Cheers
Theo
There’s a better version of the table here--------------------
Now that
http://mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/333.aspx
Has pride of place on the garage wall!
Cheers
Theo