i have a 1/2" torque wrench and if i were to use an adapter lke 1/2" to 3/8" and i applied 50ft lbs, will it still be the same amount of torque that will apply to the bolt or would there be a loss or gain of torque through the adapter?

thanks

 

It should still be the same.

 

probably not much considering its its a 1/2 to 3/8 short adapter. it'd be different if you used long extensions.

 

80ft lbs to each lug nut doesnt seem that much when im tightning it down. i think i usually put at least 100+ on the lugs everytime. that kinda sucks but gonna start using this beam wrench from now on.

 

the adapter wont change a thing. so long as you don't use a uber long extension you won't encounter any issues.

 

Yes it will change it. I had JUST a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter on my impact trying to get a crank pulley bolt off. It would NOT come off no matter what I did. Took off the adapter, put just a socket on and it came off with absolutely no problems. You lose some torque in the extension.

 

now that i think about it, you're right. even the small bit of extra length from the adapter, and the fact that it allows some play will mean that you lose torque and leverage.

 

How long of an extension are we talking about here? A buddy and I tested this, and the only time we got any difference was when we used an extension longer than 6 inches(doubled them up). I use a pretty nice digital Snap-On torque wrench and he has a Performance Tool click type.

 

I don't see how it would lose any torque at all. If the proper torque spec is used, with a small extension would NOT change torque. The only reason you would change the torque would be a large 4"+ entension having some give in the metal changing the readings. I don't think that loosening a crank pulley bolt, then turning it again and it magically becomes loose to be a fact. Just a thought.....

 

As long as you hold the extension perpendicular to the bolt/nut, so you aren't letting it sway, you shouldn't lose torque. The impact wrench thing someone said could be because of play or trying to move that big chunk of steel and all the inertia being hard to overcome in order to create a hard enough impact.

 

correct you are not losing anything. you will have to overcome the elasticity of the extension (reguardless of length) the travel of the torque wrench will become greater. i.e. if a bolt w 30 lbs of initial tension would take 90 degrees of travel to reach 100lbs . now w a 6" extension ( i did none of the math so numbers r for general purpose) to achieve the same 100lbs of torque, more force will have to be applied due to the elasticity of the extension so a higher degree of travel such as 95 will have to be applied.