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how freaking hard was he cranking on it?? at some point common sense says, "this seems like something is off" were talking 20-25 ft pounds....did he add a 0?
The guy was inexperienced (a newbie to maintenence and working with tools) and wanted to learn. He bought a brand new Harley and thought doing basic maintenance would be a good way to start learning. He went out and bragged how he saved multi dollars by buying a full set of HF torque wrenches. I (and others) warned him about being penney wise and dollar foolish. A few days later he posted that he cracked the oil pan -- he hadn't developed the "mechanics feel". It was an expensive lesson.
A while back there were some discussions here that multiple people recommended using beam torque wrench only, and not to use the click type, so I went ahead bought a beam torque wrench based on the online review/ratings. But after using a click type torque wrench borrowed from my son, I felt it was much easier to use than my beam type. Now all I see you guys talking about are the click type, making me wonder if I made the wrong decision in getting a beam type which is harder to use compare to the click type, and maybe I should just get a click type from HF as Jerry's comparison above shows that it's just as good...
Heck I thought the beam torque wrench was extinct like the Dodo Bird!
I recall when I was assembling a 1950 Olds engine for my 1st car, a 1941 Ford Coupe in 1959, I asked my Uncle (Service Manager at a large Chevy Dealer at the time) to drop one off from work for me to use on the Olds engine! Beam wrenches where what were available back-in-the-day!
Just checked and made this pic for the "young folk" who may never had seen one! Also found a digital one at Harbor Freight for $179 that has an audible beep at the desired torque! Can also be set for angle for torque to yield bolts! Heck using a beam torque wrench on a side wheel lug doesn't even sound smart. I had two hands on my "click" torque wrench and was using my legs as if doing a dead lift to get to 140 ft-lbs! With a beam wrench best be looking straight down on the scale or digital readout as in torqueing a head bolt or engine bottom end. BUT not with the wrench sideways on a lug nut when you need 140 ft-lbs!
22 mm is .87”. 7/8” is .875”. The difference is .005”. The socket tolerance is more than that usually. You can use 7/8 or 22 mm and they are effectively the same size. Same with 19mm and 3/4”. Those metric guys are smart and they made it line up perfect so you won’t need all those extra sockets.
Heck I thought the beam torque wrench was extinct like the Dodo Bird!
I recall when I was assembling a 1950 Olds engine for my 1st car, a 1941 Ford Coupe in 1959, I asked my Uncle (Service Manager at a large Chevy Dealer at the time) to drop one off from work for me to use on the Olds engine! Beam wrenches where what were available back-in-the-day!
Just checked and made this pic for the "young folk" who may never had seen one! Also found a digital one at Harbor Freight for $179 that has an audible beep at the desired torque! Can also be set for angle for torque to yield bolts! Heck using a beam torque wrench on a side wheel lug doesn't even sound smart. I had two hands on my "click" torque wrench and was using my legs as if doing a dead lift to get to 140 ft-lbs! With a beam wrench best be looking straight down on the scale or digital readout as in torqueing a head bolt or engine bottom end. BUT not with the wrench sideways on a lug nut when you need 140 ft-lbs!
Haha, yes, pulling 140 ft-lb you will need both hands and like doing a dead lift!
I can glance over on the side to read the beam scale alright, albeit it's a bit awkward indeed, but the biggest problem for me is that the thin and short rod of the beam wrench, feels flimsy and hard to hold, compare to the much bigger/longer handle of the click torque wrench which feels much secure and easier to grab in hand.
I think I will go get a good quality click wrench, not from HF per other's comments...
Haha, yes, pulling 140 ft-lb you will need both hands and like doing a dead lift!
I can glance over on the side to read the beam scale alright, albeit it's a bit awkward indeed, but the biggest problem for me is that the thin and short rod of the beam wrench, feels flimsy and hard to hold, compare to the much bigger/longer handle of the click torque wrench which feels much secure and easier to grab in hand.
I think I will go get a good quality click wrench, not from HF per other's comments...
Yep a beam wrench is using the bending of the handle within the elastic limit and fixed position of the pointer rod.
Problem today is check out where whatever brand name is made! Most China! Recall several years ago had to replace my 30+ year old Craftsman sander. Sears was still in business so looked at their "best." Made in China and looked so much cheaper than what I had used all these years. Checked HF store in town and it looked to have somewhat better construction and was half the price! Still works fine!
SIDEBAR
Recall when our local ASME section visited the Harbor Freight warehouse what now has doubled in size to 1 million square foot located in our area. One of only two, the other in CA where the privately held owner is located. The plant manager conduced the tour and one of our members asked if they sell products from Black and Decker etc. Now this fellow had come from the clothing industry and was an expert in logistics and distribution. He said very honestly and not joking, "Oh I see their products being made in the same factories where ours are built in China!"
What is sad is we are becoming the world leader in efficiently moving products from China! At the time they had 60 trucks coming into one side of the building and 70 going out the other to their stores including a separate facility in the area that ships to homes etc. He said most container trucks come from Charleston or Savana ports.
Sounded like most of his visits to China were to discuss packaging quality as they have to "eat" damaged products they receive. They are a very flat organization as he had some direct reports that were on the warehouse floor and all others reported to them. He reports to the owner as our tour was delayed because he was on a phone call with the owner from California.
Recall some of the distribution was interesting as was the largest QVC facility that (at the time we toured) was the largest in the US. In that case many FedEx, UPS and USPS trailers were lined up on the very long shipping dock which were being filled and a tractor pulls up and connects leaving when full Yep we're getting very efficient shipping product made by others! But can't survive with only service industries. Recall a Harvard Prof who said: "Two Taylors Pressing Each Others Paints Don't Make a Viable Economy!"
I wanted the shortest extension possible as knew it is not easy to get to 140 ft-lbs. So I bought a none extended Titan socket and used a 1 inch add-on extension. Also had a 1 1/2 inch IF needed.
Keeps the wrench close to the wheel so can put two hands on the wrench and use my legs like a dead lift! Easy
1 inch extension was enough to just clear the fender keeping the wrench close and used two hands to get to 140 fit-lbs! Pic also shows my Reverse Logic lug extensions that make it easy to install the wheel.To Each Their Own!
From: NNCC No Name Car Crew; Owned 1 C2, 2 C3's, 1 C4, 3 C5's, 1 C6, 2 C7's; Now '86, '03; S. DE
2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Wnner - Unmodified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24-'25-'26
Last week or so, pulled all four to check for the casting problem, all shown no issues, at least at the surface.
Torqued to 140 ft lbs with no problems.
