Hey guys, I am trying to surprise my b/f with a nice gift for his car and soon-to-be mine, as well. He is interested in a good torque wrench, but I don't want to ask him specifically what kind to get, as that would give away the surprise.

What do you guys recommend? Brand, style, torque setting, socket attachments, etc?

Thanks.... :blueangel:

 

For the type of auto work most of us do, Sears has a good one
for 99 bucks. My company uses them when torking switchgear
and the calibration is very close to being on the money. It's a
1/2" drive top of the line model.

 

I second the Sears one. I have had one for a few years with no problems.

Do not buy the lesser expensive ones like Harbor Freight, etc. You will get what you pay for. With Sears, if anything goes wrong (Craftsman), just take it back. No questions asked.

 

I'd recommend Sears as well. Mine was a "Micro Torque" $79 and has a 20-150 ft-lbs range, good range for most jobs, including torquing lug nuts on wheels. 1/2" drive. I'd recommend the type where you set the torque value first- not the kind with the little dial you have to read while applying torque. Easier to use in my opinion. Costs a little more but well worth it.

 

I am using a 1/2 inch Husky from Home Depot. Costs about $55-60. Remember to get the one rated in ft-ibs. :cheers:

 

Thanks guys....off to Sears now! :seeya

 

Snap-on The only way to go!

 

Sears has a good one on sale right now for 66.99. As mentioned above, Snap-On rules on just about every tool but that price is only justifiable if you make a living turning wrenches. Craftman tools are good quality, most are garrented for life and do not cost a ton. I have two different sizes from Sears that have windows at the base that you pull and twist to get the setting you desire. :smash: :smash: :smash: :smash: :cheers: :smash: :smash: :seeya

 

I agree that Sears torque wrenches are good, (I use the 150 ft lb "clicker" model myself) but the warrenty on their torque wrenches is only 1 year! NOT a lifetime.

Tom

 

I just got the Husky 40 to 250 pound model for $60, and I like using it. The Sears model looked just as good but was a lot more money. Home Depot will stand behind their tools also. And they are open to midnight! I needed the high range immediately because I was checking the factory torqued lugnuts, and one was on there at 200 ft/lbs! Gross!

 

Basically, you can choose between three wrench types. The older type has a rod that bends against an indicator scale...it is also the least accurate and least expensive. The other types incorporate a twist handle on the wrench arm ...one simply ratchets the handle against a readout engraved into the chrome handle. The fanciest variant (3rd type) simply gives you the readout in ft lb in a little window.

I also recommend the Craftsman wrenches and have two of them: one that goes from 5-75ft lb and one from 25-250ft lb. The toughest bolt your b/f will likely tackle on the C5 is the lower shock mounting bolt on the rear of the car. It is rated at 165ft lb. Next toughest are the brakes (125ft/lb) and the Wheels (90-100ft lb). The smallest bolts are 8 ft lb. Most bolts are in the 20-65lb range.

So the most important thing is range and accuracy. The Craftsmans I have are the 2 and 3 type I mention above and seem very accurate. If you can find a wrench that will do 5-150lb, that would be ideal for the C5. Prepare to spend $75-100.

BTW, you're one cool girlfriend :)


[Modified by TTRotary, 6:30 PM 3/1/2002]

 

Enough said. Get A Snap-On and don't look back.

 

Thanks, I do what I can! ;) And he appreciates me all the more for it!

I GREATLY appreciate the detailed response. I definitely think I will be running to Sears, as I don't really want to spend the $$ for Snap-on and he will mostly be using it for tinkering, not for any serious heavy duty car maintenance.