torque wrench
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Fremont (Livin' On The Fault Line!) CA
Just curious as to how you guys are able to get a torque wrench onto the oil drain plug?
I changed the oil in my Z several weeks ago and had to use a box wrench to get to the drain plug; there's some sort of crossmember in the way that prevented me from getting any of my ratchets on it even if I used an extension (maybe I should have tried a flex joint).
I changed the oil in my Z several weeks ago and had to use a box wrench to get to the drain plug; there's some sort of crossmember in the way that prevented me from getting any of my ratchets on it even if I used an extension (maybe I should have tried a flex joint).
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I use a Craftsman 1/2" drive torque wrench on my car. Works very well for just about everything.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: N Cal
Originally Posted by LarryW
Just curious as to how you guys are able to get a torque wrench onto the oil drain plug?
I changed the oil in my Z several weeks ago and had to use a box wrench to get to the drain plug; there's some sort of crossmember in the way that prevented me from getting any of my ratchets on it even if I used an extension (maybe I should have tried a flex joint).
I changed the oil in my Z several weeks ago and had to use a box wrench to get to the drain plug; there's some sort of crossmember in the way that prevented me from getting any of my ratchets on it even if I used an extension (maybe I should have tried a flex joint).
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Massachusetts
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re
more imp't then 1/2 or 3/8 is the torque range, knowing how to hold it for a proper reading, if it is a click type knowing the first click means you have reached the setting, and going 3/4 of the torque first before going to 100% i.e. lug nuts.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Fremont (Livin' On The Fault Line!) CA
Originally Posted by l2vette
Use a 1/2" drive torque wrench with a 3" extension, just changed my oil yesterday with no problems.
It worked fine but it would have been nice to use a 6-point socket and to have properly torqued the plug...I knew I should have tried a little harder to improvise with my toolset (extension, flex joint, etc.)!!
Ok next time I will be ready
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From: Longview Texas
Originally Posted by LarryW
I changed the oil in my Z several weeks ago and had to use a box wrench to get to the drain plug; there's some sort of crossmember in the way that prevented me from getting any of my ratchets on it even if I used an extension (maybe I should have tried a flex joint).
I could not get a socket to seat fully on the drain plug either.
I just used a 6 point box in wrench. With the rubber o-ring, if you just get it snug, you will never have one come loose.
Same with the oil filter. I tighten mine as tight as I can by hand, and have never had one leak.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Aug 4, 2005 at 05:06 PM.
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We got a drain plug? 
Seriously though, I agree with TEXHAWKO on the drain plug. Good and snug (which for most people probably works out to about 15-20 lbft) is all you need.
As far as the filter goes, I would never use any type of tool or wrench for tightening. Loosening yes. Tightening no. I get it as tight as I can by hand only. Never had a leak.
I you do buy a torque wrench, I would go with a 1/2" drive, mainly for your lug nuts. Also, get a "break-away" type torque wrench, not a "beam" type. Much easier to use and very accurate too. When it comes to torque wrenches, the old saying about getting what you pay for is pretty true. Personally I like my Craftsmen (I have more than one
)
and think they are good value for the money. HTH
Seriously though, I agree with TEXHAWKO on the drain plug. Good and snug (which for most people probably works out to about 15-20 lbft) is all you need.
As far as the filter goes, I would never use any type of tool or wrench for tightening. Loosening yes. Tightening no. I get it as tight as I can by hand only. Never had a leak.
I you do buy a torque wrench, I would go with a 1/2" drive, mainly for your lug nuts. Also, get a "break-away" type torque wrench, not a "beam" type. Much easier to use and very accurate too. When it comes to torque wrenches, the old saying about getting what you pay for is pretty true. Personally I like my Craftsmen (I have more than one
)and think they are good value for the money. HTH
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Mustang OK
Originally Posted by LarryW
Just curious as to how you guys are able to get a torque wrench onto the oil drain plug?
I changed the oil in my Z several weeks ago and had to use a box wrench to get to the drain plug; there's some sort of crossmember in the way that prevented me from getting any of my ratchets on it even if I used an extension (maybe I should have tried a flex joint).
I changed the oil in my Z several weeks ago and had to use a box wrench to get to the drain plug; there's some sort of crossmember in the way that prevented me from getting any of my ratchets on it even if I used an extension (maybe I should have tried a flex joint).
For the filter, I hand tighten only.
Hope this helps.
Last edited by GrayC5; Aug 4, 2005 at 11:02 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Fremont (Livin' On The Fault Line!) CA
Originally Posted by GrayC5
For the drain plug, I use a crowsfoot adapter (see pic below) with a 3/8" drive click type torque wrench. Using extensions and adapters will increase the effective length of the torque wrench and the output torque value will change. You will need to recalculate the correct torque setting of the torque wrench for the desired torque output. The instructions that came with your torque wrench should tell you how to do this along with providing the formula to calculate the torque setting. Hope this helps.
For the filter, I hand tighten only.
Hope this helps.
For the filter, I hand tighten only.
Hope this helps.
Yeah I've never torqued the drain plugs in any of my cars in the past, but this is a Corvette
and the oil filter, like you guys all mentioned, should only be hand tightened...
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From: Mustang OK
Originally Posted by LarryW
I'll have to look into these next time I'm at Sears
Yeah I've never torqued the drain plugs in any of my cars in the past, but this is a Corvette and the oil filter, like you guys all mentioned, should only be hand tightened...
Yeah I've never torqued the drain plugs in any of my cars in the past, but this is a Corvette
and the oil filter, like you guys all mentioned, should only be hand tightened...Various manufacturers make several different varieties of extensions/adapters for use with torque wrenches - open end and flare nut crowfoot wrenches, box end adapters, etc. I have the Craftsman open end crowfoot sets in both metric and SAE sizes. I see new sets (metric, SAE, and combination sets) of the Craftsman on eBay quite often. That's where I bought mine and saved some money over store prices. Search on "Craftsman Crowfoot". I have a tendency of inserting an "s" for "crowsfoot", but I believe "crowfoot" is the correct spelling.
Last edited by GrayC5; Aug 5, 2005 at 05:19 PM.