im getting ready to remove my knuckle to replace a wheel bearing. I have no clue what torque wrench to buy. im looking at the craftsman 3/8in 10-80lbs./ft., but I need a 1/2in to do the axle nut. I really dont have the money to buy both. is there any torque wrenches that can be used for doing both suspension parts and the axle nut???

 

or is there any other way I can torque the axle nut close to spec without using a tirque wrench?

 

get the 3/8ths and get a 0 - 250 foot pounds torque wrench, and you can torque everything with one wrench

 

you can get the junk harbor freight 10-150 for dirt cheap...but its junk...i got one. I got a 25-250 matco one, a 2-15 snap on, and that harbor freight one...id buy a used good one off ebay...that's what i did...... there's lots of diff ranges.....i dunno exactly what range you're lookin for tho

 

I got a flex head matco 20-250lbs. They are awsome torque wrenches, but I just got mine last Monday from the tool guy and it was right at 300 bucks. I would go pick up a 1/2 craftsman one.

 

can use use adaptor fittings on torque wrenches or does that mess up the reading?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by janz3n &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">can use use adaptor fittings on torque wrenches or does that mess up the reading?</TD></TR></TABLE>

an adapter wil not change the torque value but an extension will

 

then buy a 1/2" and get an adaptor to make it a 3/8". the end.

 

don't bother torquing that ****. I just run the axle nuts in with an impact.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ILcrxsi1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">don't bother torquing that ****. I just run the axle nuts in with an impact. </TD></TR></TABLE>

wait till you warp your hub

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Vitamin_b16 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wait till you warp your hub</TD></TR></TABLE>That **** won't happen. I work at a dealership and have never seen someone torque an axle nut bufore.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ILcrxsi1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">That **** won't happen. I work at a dealership and have never seen someone torque an axle nut bufore.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i was actually thinking lugs for some reason....but as a mechanic myself you can and will overtighten the axel nut and cause premature failure of the bearing...if you dont know what you are doing....better to do it right and not risk someone doing it your way and it causing a catastrophe

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Vitamin_b16 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

i was actually thinking lugs for some reason....but as a mechanic myself you can and will overtighten the axel nut and cause premature failure of the bearing...if you dont know what you are doing....better to do it right and not risk someone doing it your way and it causing a catastrophe </TD></TR></TABLE>

verry true, i bought a snap on digital one and iam happy w/it, just dont ever drop it or u will need to have it recalibrated.(digital or not) but buy a good one the first time, its a tool youll only buy once

 

so they make adapters for the 1/2 in torque wrench? where can I get one?

 

dont think you need a special one for a torque wrench. go to a parts store and buy an adaptor.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by janz3n &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">dont think you need a special one for a torque wrench. go to a parts store and buy an adaptor.</TD></TR></TABLE>

you dont need a special one....like this quote says...goto a parts store and get a run of the mill adapter

 

Just tighten it until it's tight and then stake the nut.

I've never torqued an axle nut.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ILcrxsi1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">don't bother torquing that ****. I just run the axle nuts in with an impact. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Same thing here!!! get your 1/2 inch impact wrench and compressor and tight that **** up.. i have never seen someone tourquing an axle nut...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Targa250R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Just tighten it until it's tight and then stake the nut.

I've never torqued an axle nut.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yep, 10+ years og working on Hondas, NEVER seen one problem from tightening the axle nut w/o a TW. come to think of it, I've never senn ANYONE torque an axle nut??
A TW is great but you don't need it for anything else but the motor (and really you only need it for internals)

 

so maybe just a breaker bar and a 32mm socket, then just tighten that thing pretty good and stake it? sounds good to me, then all I'll need is a 3/8 torque wrench to work on the rest of the rex with.I think thats about the only size wrench I'll need

 

there are torque specs for a reason

 

You can rent one from your local auto zone. I rented on for $80, and after I returned it they gave me my $80 back. At least here they do it, I would ask before I did it anywhere else. It beats buying one and having to pay to have it recalibrated later on.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Vitamin_b16 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">there are torque specs for a reason</TD></TR></TABLE>

The reason being for people that don't know how tight to tighten something. The rods and head bolts are a little different but everything else on the car does just fine as long as you know how to properly tighten the right size bolt (ironically a TW is one of the best ways to learn this ) I mean do you really torque down your drain plug after every oil change?? do you actually torque your spark plugs when replacing them?? Point is that torquing is a little redundant on most parts of your car (axle nut included) so it's not really something to worry about that much unless you are building motors

 

my torque wrench is my finger, on the trigger of my impact gun.never have used one to torque a axle nut and ive done hundreds of axles . save your money for something else !!!! good luck

 

Don't be a ****... be a man