torqueing the wheels

[gearhead]

Originally Posted by Ibdagriz

"Storing your torque wrench
When a torque wrench is in regular use it does not need to be wound back. However, when storing a torque wrench for an extended period of time, users should always wind it down to the minimum scale setting and never to zero.

A fully loaded torque wrench, left in storage for a long period, can cause a set in the spring, causing it to weaken over time. On the other end of the scale, by completely off-loading the spring, other components within the wrench may move fractionally relative to each other. When you reapply spring compression the orientation of these components can change, therefore affecting accuracy. All in all, it is better to leave a bit of compression in the spring while in storage."

Griz

First I've heard of that. Where'd you get that info?

[ChuckS]

Never heard of not setting torque wrench to lowest value when not using regardless of how often it’s used..

https://www1.snapon.com/display/231/...ueWrench08.pdf

Retired acft mechanic.. 25 years military and 25 years A&P

[notanlines]

Why follow a rule to crank back the pressure? Nobody follows rule number 1, safety goggles. Don’t try to BS a BS’er, not one of you has EVER put goggles on to torque RV lugs. Some unknown rule, at least to Snap-on to return the force setting to zero would do nothing but make a 3-4 pound difference. No goggles could supposedly put your eye out (Snap-on rule #1).
I’m not wearing goggles and I’m not turning it to zero. My wheels aren’t going to fall off and my mattress tags still get cut off!

[chuckster57]

I have set it to zero for the last 30+ yrs. before that I had a torque wrench with the needle. I worked with a tech that had a snap-on and he never lowered it.

[gearhead]

Originally Posted by notanlines

Why follow a rule to crank back the pressure? Nobody follows rule number 1, safety goggles. Don’t try to BS a BS’er, not one of you has EVER put goggles on to torque RV lugs. Some unknown rule, at least to Snap-on to return the force setting to zero would do nothing but make a 3-4 pound difference. No goggles could supposedly put your eye out (Snap-on rule #1).
I’m not wearing goggles and I’m not turning it to zero. My wheels aren’t going to fall off and my mattress tags still get cut off!

Goggles? Is there a dangerous chemical behind those lug nuts? Most goggles are not impact/shatter resistant.
Safety glasses maybe a good idea though.
Snap on don't know jack. Their wrenches are like using a kitchen knife. Cut your hands. I wouldn't want them for free. High cost does not equal high quality design. Ratchets are good though.
20 years journeyman Millwright. 20 more years as Machinery Inspector, then Machinery Specialist. Shell Oil refinery, Deer Park, Texas.
My lug nuts rarely need more torque. Never had a wheel fall off either.
But I keep an open mind.

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

I will admit to using my HF torque wrench for the last 15+ years on head bolts, rod and main bearings, etc. I haven’t had a failure yet.

When i installed the head on my sons old boat after a rebuild ( Volvo ad 41b diesel) it had an odd torque sequence.. it was of course specific pattern and three different torque settings with two final separate 90 deg turns on the bolts... it didn’t seem right ..felt like I would snap the bolts off but it worked. Gave a stretch to the bolts to keep the head gasket from blowing I guess

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by notanlines

Why follow a rule to crank back the pressure? Nobody follows rule number 1, safety goggles. Don’t try to BS a BS’er, not one of you has EVER put goggles on to torque RV lugs. Some unknown rule, at least to Snap-on to return the force setting to zero would do nothing but make a 3-4 pound difference. No goggles could supposedly put your eye out (Snap-on rule #1).
I’m not wearing goggles and I’m not turning it to zero. My wheels aren’t going to fall off and my mattress tags still get cut off!

Holy Cow! I hope they don't start after my Red Rider BB gun!!

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by jasin1

When i installed the head on my sons old boat after a rebuild ( Volvo ad 41b diesel) it had an odd torque sequence.. it was of course specific pattern and three different torque settings with two final separate 90 deg turns on the bolts... it didn’t seem right ..felt like I would snap the bolts off but it worked. Gave a stretch to the bolts to keep the head gasket from blowing I guess

TTY ( torque to yield) head bolts are getting more and more common. I have a fancy gizmo that has a plate marked in degrees and an indicator you can set at any point. Then when you tighten the bolt you can watch the number of degrees. If more than one time, I use a paint pen on the head of the bolt so I know it’s done. Often times I’ll finish with 2 paint marks, especially if the first turn is 90 and the second is 45.

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

TTY ( torque to yield) head bolts are getting more and more common. I have a fancy gizmo that has a plate marked in degrees and an indicator you can set at any point. Then when you tighten the bolt you can watch the number of degrees. If more than one time, I use a paint pen on the head of the bolt so I know it’s done. Often times I’ll finish with 2 paint marks, especially if the first turn is 90 and the second is 45.

Good to know... I just googled those gauges.. I’m gonna pick up one

[ChuckS]

Well the OP has info info on how to torque the lug nuts and choices are varied on brand name for tools .. I don’t wear goggles and the link was an example of one tool company regarding setting torque wrench to zero... lately I’m fond of what ever brand suits my pocket book at the time when I actually need some new fangled tool I don’t have..

My tools of choice are a good set of vice grips, 5lb hammer and 3 foot cheater bar.. if I can’t fix it I’ll beat it to death

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by ChuckS

Well the OP has info info on how to torque the lug nuts and choices are varied on brand name for tools .. I don’t wear goggles and the link was an example of one tool company regarding setting torque wrench to zero... lately I’m fond of what ever brand suits my pocket book at the time when I actually need some new fangled tool I don’t have..

My tools of choice are a good set of vice grips, 5lb hammer and 3 foot cheater bar.. if I can’t fix it I’ll beat it to death

We weren't allowed using cheater bars, so we renamed them "torque extensions", same bar used exactly the same, that were allowed!!!!!

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by ChuckS

Well the OP has info info on how to torque the lug nuts and choices are varied on brand name for tools .. I don’t wear goggles and the link was an example of one tool company regarding setting torque wrench to zero... lately I’m fond of what ever brand suits my pocket book at the time when I actually need some new fangled tool I don’t have..

My tools of choice are a good set of vice grips, 5lb hammer and 3 foot cheater bar.. if I can’t fix it I’ll beat it to death

Well I'm disappointed. I don't know of any self respecting hillbilly engineer that don't keep duck tape and a spay can of "mechanic in a can" in their repertoire.

[Millertyme76]

I have the HF torque wrench as well. I work at a large engine assembly factory in the area that certifies torque wrenches. I brought my HF torque wrench in to check it after purchase and it was within 2% of the value. That is pretty good accuracy. I found the service department at my local Ford dealer never tightens the lug nuts to spec after a tire rotation. I have only had the wrench for about 6 months so time will tell if it remains good.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by Millertyme76

I have the HF torque wrench as well. I work at a large engine assembly factory in the area that certifies torque wrenches. I brought my HF torque wrench in to check it after purchase and it was within 2% of the value. That is pretty good accuracy. I found the service department at my local Ford dealer never tightens the lug nuts to spec after a tire rotation. I have only had the wrench for about 6 months so time will tell if it remains good.

The Ford dealer I use locally use a "torque limiting extension" on their pnumatic impact guns. They come in "pre set ranges" that typically are idetified by a color band on the end.

[gearhead]

Originally Posted by travelin texans

We weren't allowed using cheater bars, so we renamed them "torque extensions", same bar used exactly the same, that were allowed!!!!!

Same with us. Don't get caught slipping a pipe over a ratchet. And don't get caught double wrenching (hooking the box end into the open end). And don't get caught with combo wrenches that have been cut and welded to reduce overall length.
And don't get caught using an impact gun on anything that should have a torque value, which was about everything.

[Ibdagriz]

Originally Posted by ChuckS

Never heard of not setting torque wrench to lowest value when not using regardless of how often it’s used..

https://www1.snapon.com/display/231/...ueWrench08.pdf

Retired acft mechanic.. 25 years military and 25 years A&P

My Craftsman paperwork says to set it to 20-25% of max limit when storing and my Nuline 90- 300lbft. paperwork says to set to lowest value, which is 90 on the scale. All the Snap-on ones I looked at don't go to "0" so the lower setting would also apply.

Had an old mechanic tell me to set it to 20-30% of max long ago when storing and have always done so.

Griz

[77cruiser]

If you use a beam style it doesn't go out of calibration & doesn't have to be set back to zero.

[Gegrad]

I bought one of the Harbor Freight Icon torque wrenches last year to replace my old Craftsman that had a broken sprocket gear in it. I opened it up and the manual described a warm up procedure that "should be done before every use". It involved manually adjusting the torque setting all the way from the maximum to the minimum 5 times. Based on how long it took me to do it once, it would have been about a 15 minute procedure. Right there in the owners manual. I returned it that day and grabbed a Kobalt that has no such lengthy warm up procedure.

[Javi]

Originally Posted by Gegrad

I bought one of the Harbor Freight Icon torque wrenches last year to replace my old Craftsman that had a broken sprocket gear in it. I opened it up and the manual described a warm up procedure that "should be done before every use". It involved manually adjusting the torque setting all the way from the maximum to the minimum 5 times. Based on how long it took me to do it once, it would have been about a 15 minute procedure. Right there in the owners manual. I returned it that day and grabbed a Kobalt that has no such lengthy warm up procedure.

Instructions....????

[Gegrad]

Originally Posted by Javi

Instructions....????

You sounds like my father... I was born and raised in Waco BTW. He still lives there.