Torque wrench

Truck is out of warranty. Doing my own maintenance, probably should get a torque wrench. Does anyone know the most torque I will have to reach and the lowest so I buy the right one. Also if you suggest a particular model.

Thanks

 

I'd get one that goes 250 ft lbs for when you get into serious stuff. Typically that's 1/2" drive but it's nice to have a smaller 3/8"drive and for that you don't need much, 100 ftlbs or so.

As for brand... I have a matco and snap on but I scored them as great deals on ebay... If I were buying new, SK or gearwrench are great for home use...

Gearwrench torque wrenches look EXACTLY the same as my matco... Probably made in the same factory with a different sticker

 

This is worth looking at. I have a lot of quality tools and used to frown at anything from HF. But they have a handful of really good items.

Not related, but I bought this a few months ago and it saved me a trip to the stealership for an ABS issue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck_O5U1Tyz8

 

I have all snap on used bought them off eBay cheap.. turn out have them send out for calibration. Good for 3 years for me..

I'm waiting on Milwaukee new torque wrench and I will be ordering that to add to my tool box..

 

Depending on what you do, you actually may need a few. Having a high foot-pound in 1/2" will get the big, heavy work done. Having a low-to-mid range 3/8" and mid-to-high as well will get most of the moderate routine maintenance work done. Having a couple of inch-pound wrenches, one high and one low, with the lowest one being a 1/4" drive will pick up the rest.

I have 6-8 of these at this point from HD, Lowe's, AutoZone, HF and Amazon. I haven't calibrated any of them, but I use and store them per the instructions and have never stripped a bolt, had one back out, nor torqued something down to an improper spec so that it caused a leak.

Here's a good recent video on testing a number of them, including ones that you might not have considered. The torque wrench info starts at 19:58 if you want to skip the tech info.

 

I went with this after reading many good reviews:

 

For the coilovers get one with a pivot head.

 

Smart move. Especially after tire rotations.

 

Second this.^^^. Excellent torque wrench for the money. I have some high end wrenches at work and this guy works every bit as good.

 

I was really surprised at the results. Good on HF!

 

My Harbor Freight torque wrench was garbage actually. I like a lot of stuff from there, but the torque wrench was a waste.
Been very pleased with this one from Tacklife. Best wishes.

TACKLIFE 3/8" Drive Click Torque Wrench Set,With 1/2" & 1/4" Adapters And An Extension Bar
(10-80 ft.- lb./13.6-108.5 Nm) - HTW1A

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FDX517M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apap_poFrhzbzqsu28

 

Did you have the cheap torque wrench or the ICON one?

 

I would echo having two. One 3/8 and one 1/2 drive. I would recommend 300 ft/lbs for the 1/2 drive. 250 would be a minimum spec.
I would not be afraid of the Harbor Fright wrenches. Find a 25% off coupon!

 

What takes the most torque probably the tires how many lbs. on that correct me if I am wrong. And thanks for all the replies. Need to buy one as of now I usually just use my good judgment when reefing on a bolt not too much but not too little.

 

Another bump for the Tekton. I have the 1/2" drive, up to 200 ft lbs. Used on my 2000 Land Cruiser and now my Tundra. I use it for all my vehicles, and thus far, haven't needed it for anything beyond it's 200 lbs. Actually, can't remember even getting close to that. I also got a torque screw driver from Home Depot (Husky I think) for lbs per inch. Came in handy when torqueing down the screws on my hunting rifle scope. Probably should have a 3/8 for 0-50 ft lbs, but the 1/2" covers just about all the auto stuff I've done so far.

$50 TEKTON 1/4" Drive Micrometer Torque Wrench (20-200 in.-lb.) | 24320

https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-24320.../2+inch+drive&qid=1565639422&s=gateway&sr=8-4

 

Great question. May have the wasted one in the barn still.....

 

100 ft/lbs for factory aluminum wheels
140 ft/lbs for factory steel wheels
The C/V axle nut would need the most torque.

 

I am ordering the Tekton, thanks for all the info.

 

Amazon delivery