Torque wrench

[mudsportsman05]

This is probablly a stupid question, how do you use a torque wrench.
I have a small one, and I am going to need to use it for my buddies wheeler. I need to set it at 87lb of torque.
There are a very things to adjust, can anyway explain in simple terms how to work it, the instructions are very confusing I thought. lol
thanks

[BIG_T]

I assume it's a clicker wrench and not a beam type? A clicker type wrench clicks when you hit the set torque, a beam type has a needle.
For a clicker type there should be a bunch of numbers on the shaft of the wrench, like 10-20-30-40-50-60-70-80 or so on. on the turning part there should be number 1-10. Turn the bottom part until the 0 on the turning part gets to the 80 line. Then turn it a bit more until the 7 lines up at that spot. Tighten down the set knob so it doesn't lose it's set. Now, turn it until the wrench clicks. Depending on the wrench it might be a very light clock to a very loud click.

[Turk]

I need to invest in a good torque wrench.I want want the clicker kind.

[N.S.RinconRider]

You need to also know if you torque wrench reads foot/pounds or inch/pounds. If you wrench reads inch/pounds you will need to set it at 1044 in/lbs. It has been know to happen that people confuse in/lbs of torque with ft/lbs of torque. There is a very big difference.

[BIG_T]

yeah, a difference of about 12 times, or something close to that.
I bought my torque wrench at harbor freight for about 20 bucks. I've been pretty satisfied with it. One at sears will run you well over 50 bucks. It all depends how much you're going to use it. If you plan to use it daily, get the expensive one, if not, the cheap one will work jsut fine.
If you use it very rarely, but still need to have it, I recommend the beam type. It's fast and easy to use, and actually far more accurate than the clicker wrenches. A clicker wrench can easily be off by 15% if you are using it correctly. If you are using it incorrectly you can make one be off by about 25%. I had one set at 12 ft-lbs that I was able to make click anywhere from 4-20 ft-lbs. Of course, at higher torque settings it's more difficult to affect it.

[Turk]

A clicker wrench can easily be off by 15% if you are using it correctly. If you are using it incorrectly you can make one be off by about 25%.


Then I dont want the clicker type.I'll look into the beam type.

[BIG_T]

Sorry, I tend to think about torque wrenches from a production and engineering standpoint, not from a garage standpoint. I've got a clicker wrench, and it's great for the guy in his garage. I had a problem with them when I was in charge of testing and torque consistency with a previous company, but I still like them for me. They are a bit more expensive, but honestly, they are worth it.
The other advantag eto a clicker wrench is that they are also ratchets, so using them is a lot faster.
Don't let my comment about them being inaccurate scare you off. If you use them correctly they are usually within 5%.

[mudsportsman05]

Thanks for all the info. everyone.
The one I have is a clicker, and it is actually in inches/lbs, unfortunaetly.
So I set it to 1044? How do I match that up? to I match up the 10 with the 0 and then turn tthe other one until the 44 lines up at that spot?

[BIG_T]

What size drive is it? if it's in inch-lbs (not inch/lb) its likely not going to go up to 85 ft-lbs. Typically they measure in in-lbs only if the torque is small enough that they need more precision than ft-lbs.
To give you a basic idea of how much torque that is, take a 12" ratchet and apply 85 lbs on the end. It's a fiarly high torque for this size of machine (though I've seen some bolts which take 600+ ft-lbs)

[mudsportsman05]

This is what the direcetions said........"Just be careful no to damage the threads. Put the washer back on and tighten the new nut to 87ftlbs with the torque wrench and “re-stake” the nut"
I am helping a friend put a clutch kit on his 420 rancher. THats why I posted this thread
I will try to figure out what drive it is for sure.