Decent Torque Wrench
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Decent Torque Wrench Well as the title states I need a decent torque wrench. Something <$200, but will be accurate. I need it for torquing lugs and suspension components. My father had bought me a cheap one of ebay which I thought was good, but after a year it broke a wheel stud off 
(assuming it just completely lost calibration?). Now I know there are some crazy expensive ones out there, which I’ll invest in when it is time to do a cam swap, but for now I just need a reliable one mostly for higher torque ratings. I'm going to need one before I get my car back on the road next month to switch the wheels, fix the stud , and install my LCA's. If anybody could suggest some name brands or models I would really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance!
John
(assuming it just completely lost calibration?). Now I know there are some crazy expensive ones out there, which I’ll invest in when it is time to do a cam swap, but for now I just need a reliable one mostly for higher torque ratings. I'm going to need one before I get my car back on the road next month to switch the wheels, fix the stud , and install my LCA's. If anybody could suggest some name brands or models I would really appreciate it.Thanks in advance!
John
I have two Husky ones from Home Depot. The 1/2" drive is a 25-250 ft/lb and the 3/8 is a 20-100 ft/lb. I forget who makes them for Husky, but it's big name. They were both in the $50-$75 range. The key with torque wrenches is to treat them like a intrusment and not like a tool. Take care and don't drop them or bang them. ALWAYS store them turned down to the lowest setting because as you raise the torque setting, it stretches a spring to get the proper 'torque' rating. If you leave it this way, the spring can become stretched and lose it's rating.
Are these less accurate that say a $300 Snap On or MATCO, I guess, but I tested both of mine compaired to my brother-in-laws recently calibrated Snap-ons wrench and where his read 75, mine read 74. Where his read 125, mine read 126. Not too bad for a 1/4 of the cost. Oh, mine are 4 years old as well and were never calibrated. But for him, once every couple of months the Snap on guy takes it and calibrates it on the spot.
Personally, I don't think the torque ratings are as critical as having all of the bolts at the same amount. For example, it isn't as critical to have all of the wheel lugs torque to 100 ft/lbs exactly, but rather have all five equal which is what the torque wrench will give you.
Most likely you snapped a wheel lug because of a bad thread or a weak stud. Probably 20% of the people on this board have had that happen at least once.
Are these less accurate that say a $300 Snap On or MATCO, I guess, but I tested both of mine compaired to my brother-in-laws recently calibrated Snap-ons wrench and where his read 75, mine read 74. Where his read 125, mine read 126. Not too bad for a 1/4 of the cost. Oh, mine are 4 years old as well and were never calibrated. But for him, once every couple of months the Snap on guy takes it and calibrates it on the spot.
Personally, I don't think the torque ratings are as critical as having all of the bolts at the same amount. For example, it isn't as critical to have all of the wheel lugs torque to 100 ft/lbs exactly, but rather have all five equal which is what the torque wrench will give you.
Most likely you snapped a wheel lug because of a bad thread or a weak stud. Probably 20% of the people on this board have had that happen at least once.
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Originally Posted by The Alchemist
I have two Husky ones from Home Depot. The 1/2" drive is a 25-250 ft/lb and the 3/8 is a 20-100 ft/lb. I forget who makes them for Husky, but it's big name. They were both in the $50-$75 range. The key with torque wrenches is to treat them like a intrusment and not like a tool. Take care and don't drop them or bang them. ALWAYS store them turned down to the lowest setting because as you raise the torque setting, it stretches a spring to get the proper 'torque' rating. If you leave it this way, the spring can become stretched and lose it's rating.
Are these less accurate that say a $300 Snap On or MATCO, I guess, but I tested both of mine compaired to my brother-in-laws recently calibrated Snap-ons wrench and where his read 75, mine read 74. Where his read 125, mine read 126. Not too bad for a 1/4 of the cost. Oh, mine are 4 years old as well and were never calibrated. But for him, once every couple of months the Snap on guy takes it and calibrates it on the spot.
Personally, I don't think the torque ratings are as critical as having all of the bolts at the same amount. For example, it isn't as critical to have all of the wheel lugs torque to 100 ft/lbs exactly, but rather have all five equal which is what the torque wrench will give you.
Most likely you snapped a wheel lug because of a bad thread or a weak stud. Probably 20% of the people on this board have had that happen at least once.
Are these less accurate that say a $300 Snap On or MATCO, I guess, but I tested both of mine compaired to my brother-in-laws recently calibrated Snap-ons wrench and where his read 75, mine read 74. Where his read 125, mine read 126. Not too bad for a 1/4 of the cost. Oh, mine are 4 years old as well and were never calibrated. But for him, once every couple of months the Snap on guy takes it and calibrates it on the spot.
Personally, I don't think the torque ratings are as critical as having all of the bolts at the same amount. For example, it isn't as critical to have all of the wheel lugs torque to 100 ft/lbs exactly, but rather have all five equal which is what the torque wrench will give you.
Most likely you snapped a wheel lug because of a bad thread or a weak stud. Probably 20% of the people on this board have had that happen at least once.
Thanks for the replies so far.
ive used the same matco for about 5 years it was around 270ish new but like i said it was a while back.matco makes some of the toughest tools ive used and im one of those people who break alot of tools
Ive always tohught if you goign to buy quality for any one tool, it should be a torque wrench. I Just ordered a Tech2 digital wrench from snap-on and cant wait to get it.
Plus I can get any QD click type TQ wrench from snap-on for < 125, which is less than some of the craftsman line.
Plus I can get any QD click type TQ wrench from snap-on for < 125, which is less than some of the craftsman line.
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Originally Posted by LS1IMPULSE
Ive always tohught if you goign to buy quality for any one tool, it should be a torque wrench. I Just ordered a Tech2 digital wrench from snap-on and cant wait to get it.
Plus I can get any QD click type TQ wrench from snap-on for < 125, which is less than some of the craftsman line.
Plus I can get any QD click type TQ wrench from snap-on for < 125, which is less than some of the craftsman line.
Thanks again guys.
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Originally Posted by LS1IMPULSE
Ive always tohught if you goign to buy quality for any one tool, it should be a torque wrench. I Just ordered a Tech2 digital wrench from snap-on and cant wait to get it.
Plus I can get any QD click type TQ wrench from snap-on for < 125, which is less than some of the craftsman line.
Plus I can get any QD click type TQ wrench from snap-on for < 125, which is less than some of the craftsman line.
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Originally Posted by LS1IMPULSE
Honeslty if your only using it for lugs you probably dont even need one, most guys who have a TQ wrench dont even use it on lugs. But I have no expirience with armstrong.
Originally Posted by 01pewterbird
I want to avoid warped rotors,something i've dealt with many times. I think it's dumb not to use a torque wrench on the lugs, they have torque specs for a reason, just like everything else.
As for wheels: Do not let discount tire torque them lol. I asked them waht torque they are setting the guns at.. reply I got was "we torque all lug nuts to 180 ft lbs" 
-Lurius
-Lurius
I would suggest buying a new snap-on wrench. they cost more but you get what you pay for it is more accurate and better built. if you dont want to spend the money at least buy a new wrench of another brand from sears or somthing. try not to buy a used torque wrench because if you drop it the calibration can be off you dont kno what the previous owner has done with it. you dont want another broken wheel stud.