Torque Wrench Suggestions

tmeric7 · Feb 4, 2023

I have two Armstrong clicker type torque wrenches (different ranges) that I'm very happy with. Armstrong is very good quality without moving into the most expensive price range (but isn't cheap either). The only downside for me is that the scales are in in-lb (even the bigger one), so I do a lot of multiply by 12 because specs are usually in ft-lb.

ranchito · Feb 4, 2023

Why can't a torque wrench be checked at home by clamping a deep socket in a vise and hanging a known weight from the wrench handle then do a little math to convert to inch pounds or foot pounds?

mark3885 · Feb 4, 2023

Why not put on a drain valve , only once do you need to remove the drain plug then install the new valve. I have these on all my vehicles, quick oil changes with no tools.

ddbackhoe · Feb 4, 2023

ranchito said:
Why can't a torque wrench be checked at home by clamping a deep socket in a vise and hanging a known weight from the wrench handle then do a little math to convert to inch pounds or foot pounds?

post #21

How to Check the Calibration of a Clicker-Style Torque Wrench

It should come as no surprise to anyone reading this that torque wrenches are calibrated and that calibration should be checked, at least occasionally. According to some experts, torque wrench …

www.onallcylinders.com

mhiplus · Feb 4, 2023

Richard said:
I've got a Honda Hybrid car. Tend to do my oil changes myself as I've had work done before in life and didn't like what they did.

As I'm told, the oil pan is made from aluminum. The drain bolt, isn't. I've had a couple conversations about someone tightening down their drain plug (which has a crush washer) and stripping the oil pan threads.

That strikes me as a terribly inopportune thing to do. Enter idea of torque wrench. I've already got a 1/2" but not sure I need that for this bolt.... besides.... might be a good excuse to add a tool to the box. (I am thinking either 1/4" drive or maybe 3/8)

Not interested in paying $1,000 for one BUT, also not interested in finding one for $12.95 as I'd expect it to break on first use. Who makes a good torque wrench these days? My 1/2" is a clicker type, I like that. I see digital readouts now.... that tells me they have a battery. Batteries can die. Seems clicker style can go out of spec.... so all have some issues.

Thoughts/suggestions?

Don’t use crush washers. Use a fiber washer. Any aluminum crush washer will damage the sealing surface of the drain pan. All the oil pans can be damaged on hondas using crush washers

hunt4570 · Feb 4, 2023

My thoughts.. are you sure that is a crush washer on there, most are not anymore. Click type torque wrenches are nice, you dont have to look at a scale or digital readout to see where you are, wait for the little click and you are done. Not a big fan of HF torque wrenches, bought one once and it died within a year, dont have any personal experiences with the Icon so no comment there. I've torque wrenches from nut driver size for scope mount screws and such along with 1/4, 3/8. and 1/2" . Spend a couple bucks and get a decent one.
And as long as we are talking oil changes, here is a weird one, on my Honda S2000 the oil filter, yes I said filter, has a torque spec of 18 ft lbs!

MiserableOldFart · Feb 4, 2023

As far as having to replace a big part if you strip the threads, is there not enough metal there to put a heli-coil in if needed? Would seem to be a fairly simple solution. The drain valve is a great idea, if they NEVER leak.. but I wonder if they get hit by flying gravel or a tree branch, whatever, might happen..

rScotty · Feb 4, 2023

hunt4570 said:
My thoughts.. are you sure that is a crush washer on there, most are not anymore. Click type torque wrenches are nice, you dont have to look at a scale or digital readout to see where you are, wait for the little click and you are done. Not a big fan of HF torque wrenches, bought one once and it died within a year, dont have any personal experiences with the Icon so no comment there. I've torque wrenches from nut driver size for scope mount screws and such along with 1/4, 3/8. and 1/2" . Spend a couple bucks and get a decent one.
And as long as we are talking oil changes, here is a weird one, on my Honda S2000 the oil filter, yes I said filter, has a torque spec of 18 ft lbs!

that sounds about right.

Canuck64 · Feb 4, 2023

Lots of ideas on options. Haven't read every post, but another view.

Clicker wrenches require zeroing after use to maintain their accuracy. Hard for the amateur to remember. And periodic testing.

A simple solution is a Precision Instruments Split Beam wrench. Set with dial on handle. Can be left at last setting used. As reliable as a bending beam wrench but with the advantages of a clicker style. Available thru Amazon/E-Bay. available in 3/8 and 1/2. Available in blue from Precision, red from Snap-On and Mac (made by Precision).

Shenandoah MF1760 · Feb 4, 2023

Richard said:
I've got a Honda Hybrid car. Tend to do my oil changes myself as I've had work done before in life and didn't like what they did.

As I'm told, the oil pan is made from aluminum. The drain bolt, isn't. I've had a couple conversations about someone tightening down their drain plug (which has a crush washer) and stripping the oil pan threads.

That strikes me as a terribly inopportune thing to do. Enter idea of torque wrench. I've already got a 1/2" but not sure I need that for this bolt.... besides.... might be a good excuse to add a tool to the box. (I am thinking either 1/4" drive or maybe 3/8)

Not interested in paying $1,000 for one BUT, also not interested in finding one for $12.95 as I'd expect it to break on first use. Who makes a good torque wrench these days? My 1/2" is a clicker type, I like that. I see digital readouts now.... that tells me they have a battery. Batteries can die. Seems clicker style can go out of spec.... so all have some issues.

Thoughts/suggestions?