Torque Wrenches

As mentioned earlier, over-torquing could break the bolt or strip the treads within the application. Under-torquing will not have the proper preload to hold the application together. In most cases, an engineer has determined exactly how much give should exist between the bolted surfaces to keep the application together and ensure minimum wear. The answer is achieved by using a high quality and properly calibrated torque wrench.

 

There are many different types of torque wrenches and all of them have been listed in my store. However, the most commonly used torque wrench by the backyard mechanic is the "clicker" style torque wrench. These torque wrenches look like a regular ratchet and they also function much like a regular ratchet with one difference. When the desired torque level has been achieved as specified on the torque wrench, you will hear and feel a "click" on the wrench. This click indicates that the proper torque has been achieved.

 

Using a torque wrench, especially a click style torque wrench is easy. The same concept applies to all the different styles of torque wrenches. The key is when tighting your bolt, you want to gently pull the wrench smoothy to the clicking point. Doing it in a jerky fashion may cause the clicking point (also known as the pivot point) to break too early giving you a wrong torque specification.

 

After using your torque wrench, ensure to reset your torque wrench to the lowest torque setting and return the wrench back to the case. Store your wrench in a secure area where it will not fall or be bumped. Remember that your new torque wrench is a delicate precision instrument and therefore must be treated as such.