Torque Wrench Accuracy- How to easily test (Page 1/2)
DimeMachine OCT 14, 06:13 PM
A few days ago I was torquing a suspension bolt and I just had that feeling that I was going way too tight .... and I was seriously starting to wondering if my torque wrench is no longer accurate!

It bothered me a lot - so I found out how to make sure my torque wrench is in fact accurate and now I can sleep at night knowing my repair is correct.

I put together this short video showing just how easy the process is.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39uxRz7jtmc

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84/87 NB, 3800SC, E-85, VS Cam, 2.8 Pulley, 4T65E-HD, HP Tuners, AEM Wideband, Regal GS Gauges, S-10 Brake Booster. 1/4 mile -11.85 at 114mph

gtoformula OCT 14, 06:38 PM
Interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Patrick OCT 14, 08:17 PM

I paid big bucks, $20, for my Harbor Freight PITTSBURGH 1/2" torque wrench. It'll never go out of spec. (Is there a Pittsburgh in China?)

Thanks for the video!
olejoedad OCT 15, 08:02 AM
Always reset the torque wrench to zero after use to extend the calibration life of the tool.
DimeMachine OCT 15, 09:18 AM

quote
Originally posted by olejoedad:

Always reset the torque wrench to zero after use to extend the calibration life of the tool.



Very Good Point - I always do & I should have mentioned that in the Video!
2.5 OCT 15, 11:31 AM
Thanks for showing a Vette burning and not a Fiero
cvxjet OCT 15, 11:57 AM
I was spoiled for years- Worked at Coast Guard Air Station SFO and they had a torque calibration station- Set the torque on your wrench, hook it up and pull it till it clicked- then look at the digital readout. They finally eliminated those in favor of sending the wrenches out for calibration at Travis AFB. Since approx' 2013 I haven't checked the cal on my craftsman and also my small ones........I'll check it to it's max by sitting on the handle!

Also, very important; As said above take it down to the lowest setting when not in use- my two larger ones go down to 20 Lb/Ft....Always set it there (Don't go below lowest setting either)
Patrick OCT 15, 01:41 PM

quote
Originally posted by cvxjet:

Also, very important; As said above take it down to the lowest setting when not in use- my two larger ones go down to 20 Lb/Ft....Always set it there (Don't go below lowest setting either)



I understand about releasing the tension on the spring inside the torque wrench when it's not in use, but what difference does it make if the adjustment is turned a bit beyond the lowest setting?

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 10-15-2019).]

cvxjet OCT 15, 02:52 PM
Some - Not all- Torque wrenches are set up so that if you go below their lowest setting you bend the spring that sets the tension. I got this from two sources- a guy in a US Navy Calibration lab, and a Snap-on guy- said exactly the same thing but maybe 20 years apart....It all so was stated in the manual with my medium(75 Lb/Ft) torque wrench I bought around 2002.

Interesting thing I noticed once; Re-installing the heads on my 460 Ford jet boat engine- they go up to 140 Lb/Ft....One time I used a 2 foot long TW and it was all my buddy could do to keep the engine (Sitting on 10 QT pan on cardboard) from spinning around. 6 months later I had to redo this because my experimental mufflers had blown the head gaskets...Used a rental 4 foot TW- It was easier for my same buddy to hold the engine.....I understand it was easier for ME (Longer lever) but easier for him...?
Patrick OCT 15, 04:25 PM

quote
Originally posted by cvxjet:

Some - Not all- Torque wrenches are set up so that if you go below their lowest setting you bend the spring that sets the tension. I got this from two sources- a guy in a US Navy Calibration lab, and a Snap-on guy- said exactly the same thing but maybe 20 years apart....It all so was stated in the manual with my medium(75 Lb/Ft) torque wrench I bought around 2002.



I suppose it's also possible that some people turn the adjustment way below the lowest setting... which might do something bad that just turning the adjustment a bit below the lowest setting wouldn't do.


quote
Originally posted by cvxjet:

One time I used a 2 foot long TW and it was all my buddy could do to keep the engine (Sitting on 10 QT pan on cardboard) from spinning around. 6 months later I had to redo this because my experimental mufflers had blown the head gaskets...Used a rental 4 foot TW- It was easier for my same buddy to hold the engine.....I understand it was easier for ME (Longer lever) but easier for him...?



Me thinks one of those torque wrenches was out of spec.