Do I Need A Torque Wrench

[Redler]

I'm lowering the Zetec S either tommorrow or the day after and I'm just wondering if its worth getting a torque wrench. Do many of you use them, I suppose it will be a good tool to have in the box anyways.

Also can anyone recommend one. I'm looking to spend around £30-£50. Idelaly one I can buy in a shop rather than online. Seen a couple on Euro Parts, ScreFix, Halfords were a bit more expensive than what I wanted to spend, and a £30 one in Argos!!

Thanks, Tom

 

[Henry]

you only really need them for building engines and stuff like hub nuts and flywheel bolts (imo)

if you buy one, make sure it covers the hub nut/flywheel torques

 

[maynard]

Great little tools, well worth having one. As Henry said get one with a decent range, anything up to 150-200 nm should be enough but again check your manufacturers settings.

You'll need one anyways to correctly torque the wheel bolts back up again once you've finished.

 

[marinemackay2003]

i would get one as they are handy little tools to have

 

[Mark One]

they are handy. Spark plugs are a common one that should always be torqued.

As for that particular job, I don't know fords, but the answer is no, you don't really need one

 

[Redler]

Thanks, I was reading some post's on ZSOC and one guy was adement you would need one. Where as most said no. Cheers

 

[barker22]

i would get one, i got a clarke one from machine mart £21. goes up to 200nm, and it a pretty good brand so should last a long time. for £21 its pretty good, comes with a 5'' extention and lso a 3/8 adapter. bargain.

 

[Redler]

think I'll get one, they do seem handy. Shame I havnt got a machine mart near me. Can anyone recommend a decent wrench.

 

[Jordi17]

what are you lowering by and what springs?

 

[Mr Burns]

If people realised how incorrect most torque wrenches were they wouldn't buy them. Save your money fella.

 

[guysy]

Having spark plugs delivered in the week, Worth getting a torque wrench then?

I was thinking the cheap ones probably wont be that accurate anyway!?

Will get one if needs be though.

 

[Mr Burns]

Having been a torque-wrench service technician for 6 years I'd say don't bother. It sounds bad but unless you get it calibrated every few weeks it won't be accurate, which is the whole point of a torque-wrench.

 

[Curtis!]

True point about the calibration ^

Dad has tons of these running up to a massive 4 foot long f**ker, has to get them done once a year. Not that often I guess but it's maintenance.

I quite fancy getting one tbh, will have to look into it more when it comes round.

 

[Mr Burns]

Smaller the wrench and/or the more you use it, the more you need to get it calibrated. I used to service those huge ones, we had contracts with Ferrari and British Airways amongst others!

 

[Redler]

Its going - 40mm on eibachs matey

Hmm.... Might give it a miss untill I actually need one then. Never even realised you could be a torque wrench service technician!

 

[Jordi17]

get some pics up when finished

 

[Redler]

Will do mate can't wait to be honest ha

 

[Fred@BTM]

you still do it Ste? i could do with having my snap on tech wrenches re calibrated (they're electronic, dunno if that is an issue?)