need help using a torque wrench

[crm318]

this might sound dumb but i cant seem to get my torque wrench to work right. it is the kind that the handle turns to adjust the setting. for some reason, it doesnt matter what setting its on, it will just turn as if it were a straight locked bar and wont click. what could it be?

[ghackett1]

Are you sure all of the threads are chased properly and there is oil or some sealing agent on the bolts. If not the torque wrench will not work properly and you could possible break the bolt. Be careful and good luck. Test the wrench by trying it on a bolt off of the motor you are working on and set it to a low setting. It should click. If not your torque wrench is the culprit and needs replacing.

[poorboy]

Always use a good quality torque wrench. The cheaper ones are not very accurate and have a dendencey to snap bolts. I found this out the hard way.

[crm318]

well i have tried it on many different bolts and have tried all the different settings. the damn thing is just locked. the problem is is that it was loaned to me by a friend and it worked the first half of the time that i have been using it. we'll see.

[Slammed70]

Another reason I use the beam type torque wrenches.

They're cheaper and they are WAY more durable then the clicker types.

[Aarons72s]

This is from an old car magazine, I think super chevy, it said that the clicker torque wrenches sometimes dry out, the oil in them, and that if you soak the head? in wd40 it might help it out. May want to give it a try. That would be my suggestion.

[mtndewmaniac66]

Any idea when the last calibration was done?

What was the condition of the wrench when you received it?

Was it ever used as a breaker bar?

Usually, If I have ANY question as to if the condition of the torque wrench is not up to par, I would be searching out another torque wrench.

[72armyswbtruck]

Dude,
What brand is it?

[cdowns]

your first problem is borrowing tools=BAD HABIT

i'd also try the wd-40 spray fix then if you're lucky enough to get it to click return it as fast as possible and then go buy yourself a quality tool

[70c10]

On the very bottom there is usually a black knob that says "lock" and "unlock". Check that.

[mac]

GET another wrench!

We use a lot of torq wrenches in aviation and I just read an interesting article in a trade mag. Major tool distributors admit that up to 30% of the wrenches they deliver are DOA. Even tho it comes out of the box new with a cal cert, remember that doesn't gaurantee anything after you get it.

If the wrench has been used as a breaker bar for bolt removals, has ever been dropped, used as a hammer, pry bar or anything other than a torqing device, its NOT calibrated any longer. The clicker types have a pivot point at the head that must be cycled at torque at least 3 times prior to any daily use. This pivot point needs the lubricant spread in order to pull calibrated torq. I don't believe WD-40 is the correct lube but may get the wrench functioning. It won't be cal'd but it may click. NEVER turn the handle down below the lowest torq graduation on the handle, always store a torq wrench at the lowest range graduation or the internal spring will lose tension and never will torq to cal spec again. Spec is generally with-in 1-3%. ALL types of wrenches are only cal'd in the middle 60% of the total range. The bottom and top 20% are considered un-useable.

Recently I saw an episode of "Chop,Cut,Rebuild" where some well known engine builder was assembling a hi-buck motor. He was having a problem with a rod bolt and using the torque wrench to dissassemble the motor. NOT RIGHT. I would NEVER buy a product from him after seeing that. He can not guarantee any torqued assembly inside that motor if he used that wrench.

If you need to pull cal'd torq, GET ANOTHER WRENCH. Sears sells a number of them but they should be checked against a certified wrench before use too. I'm sure their DOA rate is above 30%. We have to get all of our wrenches cal'd periodically and every time at least one comes back junk. We treat them as they should be treated but that doesn't help.

[crm318]

thanks guys. i will try lubricating the head, and stop borrowing tools.

[Slammed70]

Originally Posted by crm318

i will try lubricating the head

LOL

[pimperout]

lol great minds must think alike