Craftsman Torque Wrenches

[C130]

I bought two Crafsman torque wrenches about two years ago. One, I had not used at all and the other only once. I went to install my Hensley TS3 hitch yesterday with a new spacer kit and could not get the 1/2 inch drive torque wrench to work. Tried the 3/8 and same thing, neither of them will "click" when I set the correct torque. I set 50 ft. pounds then set it all the way down to 30 and nothing. Set the 3/8 to its lowest setting and the same thing. I know I went above the torque settings so that's wasn't the issue.

Any recommendations or something obvious that I might be doing wrong? I could see one being bad but not both with the same issue. They have been stored underneath my rear seat so they haven't been exposed to outside elements. I'm going to take them by the Sears store where I bought them and see what they say. I have a neighbor that has a Snap On business but they are outrageous. Well made I know but I hate to spend that kind of money on something I hardly use. I feel like I must be doing something stupid but I gave up on trying to figure it out.

[chuckster57]

They need to go back to Sears. If they have been behind the seat for two years and the vehicle they have been in has been parked outside, then I bet the innards are frozen.

My one 1/2" drive from Harbor Freight is going on 15 years old. Has build countless engines and still works great. I store my torque wrenches in a stable environment, not subject to wide/fast temp/Humidity changes.

[racin500]

I have 2 craftsman. The older 3/8" did not go high enough so I bought a 1/2" also. The 3/8 stated that it must be stored at the lowest setting. Don't see anything on the 1/2 but it makes sense to take the pressure off.

[old timer]

I had a sears torque wrench that broke and sears wouldnt warranty it. I use them all the time. ad to buy a new one. I back the handle all the way out.

[GmaPaTime]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

They need to go back to Sears. If they have been behind the seat for two years and the vehicle they have been in has been parked outside, then I bet the innards are frozen.

My one 1/2" drive from Harbor Freight is going on 15 years old. Has build countless engines and still works great. I store my torque wrenches in a stable environment, not subject to wide/fast temp/Humidity changes.

Couldn't agree with chuster57 any more. These torque wrench instruments are not like regular wrench's as they have an internal spring loaded mechanism that should not be exposed to any moisture or freezing temps. It's also possible that the tension was not released after it's last use and the spring snapped. Good luck with getting Sears to replace it for you...

Steve

[randy69]

It doen't mater craftsman , proto, sk, snapon. or any other tork wrench. You have to store them at the zero setting.

[C130]

I think they were backed out but not really sure. Sears replaced both of them with zero hassles and I'll definitely make sure the new ones are stored inside my house and backed out all the way. I called them and told them they were at least two years old and what the issue was. They told me to bring them in and they'd replaced them. It's a Sears Hardware and they've always had excellent customer service. The large Sears store went out of business which I hated. They had several WWII veterans that used to work there and I loved talking to them. I've always been a very good customer of Sears but they definitely didn't have to take them back.

[rbev2308]

Stick to your guns and Sears will replace. My wife was a hardware manager for several years and I know she took back quite a few. Hell she replaced a floor jack from 1960. She figured if some 90 yr old came in with a jack and the receipt that old, it was worth replacing. There are a few things that Sears does not like to replace within the hardware(tools) section and this is one but a skilled professional negotiator will get it replaced!!! Good Luck...

[T3/T4 Hybrid]

Make sure you back it to zero before storage. That spring will freeze if you don't. Trust me I know, please don't ask why I know.