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Torque wrench and socket advice

Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:51 am
by dannyboi
Hi guys,

Could you please provide some advice on which torque wrench and socket set I should get from SCA?

For the socket wrench set, I'm looking at this:
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online ... 74#details

With torque wrenches, I've never actually owned one but am thinking about getting this:
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online ... 04#details

The torque wrench is particularly for tightening the wheel nuts.

Cheers.

Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 4:55 pm
by exaltd
Right: A little advice from me? If you care to listen :)

Socket set: Stanley is good, but they are now made in China thus they are not very rigid as they used to be. Buy only if you are using for occasional non stressing activites.

SP tools are a better bet for the price, as they are a little more durable.

Torque wrench: For wheel nuts, you'd want to be using 1/2" torque wrenches. Not the 3/8". 3/8" simply does not have the strength (especially cheap ones) and will quickly get out of calibration, rendering them useless (as cheap ones like the SCA one is not able to be recalibrated). I would suggest at minimum the Kincrome one - around $150 retail I think?

Your call :) Just my 2c worth. Hope that helped.

Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 6:14 pm
by Tweak
I doubt i would have ever been in calibration.
You wont find a decent 1/2 torque wrench for under $160

Jump on ebay. Best place to get snap on tools. Most are 2nd hand but at a fraction of the price

Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 6:25 pm
by El-Diablo
I would highly recommend Bahco Socket sets and tooling. They are reasonably priced and well made.

For a torque wrench go micrometer adjustable 1/2 inch Sidchrome or Snap On. I have a 3/8" Kinchrome which is good quality.

Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 6:37 pm
by SXy2010
hi danny
i agree with gabriel you cant go wrong with sp tools i have one of their sets and never had a problem
with the tension for the wheel nuts if thats all you need to tension i would suggest getting a torque bar just for doing the wheel nuts -it looks like a socket extension bar but will not allow you to over or under tighten your nuts it should be available from repco and is far cheaper than a tension wrench ive used torque bars for years no problems if you do want a tension wrench get a 1/2 inch drive for sure but get a good brand like warren and brown

Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 6:47 pm
by LaNcE
just another option is JBS you can get them at blackwoods stores(google it) we use it here at work for airplanes. better tools than the said at pretty much the same price. but im telling you i got pissed one time i threw one in my garage it made a freaking big hole in the hole but the tool was just scratched still works perfectly.

Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 8:49 pm
by chris
Get an aussie invented and still made here ?? deflecting beam dual signal Warren And Brown torque wrench, I`ve had this type for almost fifty years [don`t laugh true] still in spec.

Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 8:50 pm
by SXy2010
way to fly chris

Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 8:51 pm
by dannyboi
Thanks for the advice guys.

I'll be looking up the various products recommended and narrow them down.

I was planning on rotating the tyres, which got me thinking about the torque wrench. It'll be the primary reason for the wrench, but not necessarily the only one. It seems like one of those tools you might own for the rest of your life.

With regards to sizing, I should then be looking at a 1/2 '' only socket set to accompany a 1/2'' torque wrench right? Seems strange to see some sets with more than one drive size.

Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 8:58 pm
by SXy2010
sometimes they may have a 1/2 to 3/8 socket adaptor or a smaller 3/8 drive ratchet included as part of the kit they are great to use for many things but 1/2 is best for your wheel lug nuts

Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 11:42 pm
by exaltd
El-Diablo (Rob) is right on the money for Bahco tools. They are a cheap version, made in Germany, of Stahlwille *read one of the world's most durable brand of tools* just as Blue Point is to Snap On :)

Yes, if only for doing up wheel nuts, get a normal ratchet and torque bar. But torque wrenches are very handy items. A good torque wrench will last you for life. I personally am eyeing off a Stahlwille one ($650) or Snap On one ($780).

Good luck with they buying :) You have plenty of choice out there.

Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 10:27 am
by dannyboi
Well I just got a Stanley socket set a couple of months ago. That covers most of the work which don't require too much force.

Any ideas on what torque the lugnuts should be tightened to for our cars?
I have a feeling some of the wrenches being sold at auto stores may be inadequate for the values I've seen from other forums for other cars.

I've seen "80 ft-lbs" which equates to about 108 N.m

Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 1:03 pm
by AJjnr86
I have snap-on sockets and torque wrenches (3/8 & 1/2")

The wheel nuts are done up to 110Nm

Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 1:31 pm
by dannyboi
AJjnr86 wrote:I have snap-on sockets and torque wrenches (3/8 & 1/2")

The wheel nuts are done up to 110Nm


Cheers. I'll have a look at both wrenches and bars tomorrow. Not sure what else I would need them for, although strut bars might need specific torque as well.

Posted: Sat May 14, 2011 3:18 pm
by AJjnr86
strut braces r bout 30 - 45 Nm, but just nip them up, dont over do the top suspension bolts too tight cause they do break, then its not fun