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Torque wrench questions

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Steamer, Apr 4, 2006.

  1. Apr 4, 2006
    Steamer

    Steamer Thick and gritty!

    SW OR
    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2004
    Messages:
    389
    I've had a torque wrench for thirty years or so. Nifty Snap-On 30-200 ft-lb Click-Style. Since I never went past an oil change and so on, I never used it much. An ex bought it on somebody else's recommendation.....

    1. What range capacity do you folks use?

    2. When coming up to torque specs, what increments do you use?

    3. Ever had a torque wrench checked for calibration?

    I'm no good at guessing how tight is just right for lower values.

    I seem to remember that ten pound increments were the norm for less than 75 pounds or so, 20 or 25 for higher......

    The thought of the sound of a bolt going "SNAP!" before my wrench goes "click" gives me the willy's, so to speak....... I seem to think a torque wrench will error sooner rather than later.

    Just curious.
     
  2. Apr 4, 2006
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
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    4,275
    My unscientific method was always 50% - 75% - 100% and it seemed to work for me. I think that the total torque value and the correct tightening sequence is more important than what increments you use, within reason.

    FWIW- I finally laid my old beam-type Craftsman torque wrench to rest today. I replaced it with a shiny new click-type unit and spent the better part of the day retorquing everything in sight, mainly to see how close it came to the readings on the old one. No big surprises. :D
     
  3. Apr 4, 2006
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    Sep 20, 2002
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    9,221
    Worth saving so I moved it to the tech section.
     
  4. Apr 5, 2006
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
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    4,275
    BTW- If you ever have a question about the correct torque sequence for a part, the old Motor manuals used to have a chart in the 'generic' section that addressed this. I'll see if I can find one of mine and scan it for posterity....
     
  5. Apr 5, 2006
    grannyscj

    grannyscj Headed to the Yukon

    Anchorage, AK
    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2005
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    1,758
    As Steve said tightening sequence and "consistant w/ each other" values are more important than a "perfect" torque in ft-lbs. Being + or -10% off because of miscalibration is much less of a concern than uneven torque across the fastening area. One thing we used to do in the navy, if a torque wrench couldn't be used, we would put a nut somewhere it could be and calibrate our arms to that torque before we tightened any thing down. Consistency matters most.:v6:
     
  6. Apr 5, 2006
    80cj

    80cj Member

    Hawaii
    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2003
    Messages:
    554
    In regards to your question about having a torque wrench checked for calibration, I work in a Navy calibration lab. The type wrench you have is spec'd out to +/- 4 % of setting in the clockwise direction and should be exercised a few times before being used to torque especially if it has been in storgage for a period of time.. When you get done using it, wind it down to the lowest setting, no less. Leaving the spring under tension causes it to go non-linear and out of tolerance.
     
  7. Apr 5, 2006
    Roboter

    Roboter Klaatu Barada Jeepto

    Loomis California
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    Apr 13, 2005
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    316
    Ahem granny. The correct Navy term would be repeatability. Ask me how I know. :rofl: :D
     
  8. Apr 5, 2006
    wminmi

    wminmi Overgrown child at Work

    South Haven,...
    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2006
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    137
    That's how i do it too....break the sequence down into 3rd's
     
  9. Apr 5, 2006
    grannyscj

    grannyscj Headed to the Yukon

    Anchorage, AK
    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2005
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    1,758
    Ahhhh, could be. Its been 20 years ago for me. I've slept since then.R)
     
  10. Apr 5, 2006
    Phalanxx

    Phalanxx Jeep Newbie

    iraq, texas,...
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    Jan 13, 2004
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    363
    i USED to work in a navy cal lab onboard one of my ships in '94. they reccomended to not use to lower 20% or the top 10%. thats where most of the error lies. try to keep the torque wrench within those ranges for the most accurate readings. may take buying a new one, but if you are trying for accuracy, then thats the way to go. but i tend to agree with these guys, 90 ft-lbs on a head bolt doesnt really mean 90 exactly...its a close estimate. the head bolt isnt going to know the difference between 85 or 95, as long as they all are 85 pounds or 95 pounds. some at 85 and other at 95 will introduce spots for blowing head gaskets.
    just make sure its close and go with it.
     
  11. Apr 5, 2006
    Roboter

    Roboter Klaatu Barada Jeepto

    Loomis California
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    It's been 11 years ago for me. I've been sober since then. R) R) R)
     
  12. Apr 5, 2006
    tinker

    tinker GNGPN

    winnipeg,manitoba...
    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2005
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    158
    All good info here so far.If you want to find torque values just about any service manual has a chart for torque by size and grade in there somewhere.To have your wrench checked just have your local Snap-on dealer send it in.In Canada a complete rebuild and calabration cost about $90 canadian.It comes back looking and working like new.The same goes for Snap-on and Blue-point air tools.
     
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