My first "stupid" question By 4denise (Read 1,271 times)

[4denise]

Hi! Ready for this?

I was just looking over the PDI on this board (excellent, by the way, I will love using it) and I came to something I know nothing about yet.

Here it is: Torque. What tool do I need? How do I use it? How hard is this? It's something I've heard of since childhood but nobody ever bothered to show me or tell me.

I look forward to the answer to this great mystery.

Denise

[fubar05]

torque is the amount of strength used to tighten a bolt or nut, or... are you talking about rear wheel tork ? i just orderd a torque wrench from harber fraight couple day's ago, to torque the axle nut to the 45lb's it is supposed to be (correct me if thats not the right setting )

[4denise]

So do I need a torque wrench for each "setting" (the 45 lbs you mention) or does one do it all? I'm wanting to make sure I have the right tools here, and that I can figure out how they are used.

Denise

[runningslow]

Nope. Most torque wrench are basically a socket wrench, that doesn't have a spinning head.

I've seen two basic types:

Some will have a scale on them that shows you how much force you are applying.
You simply stop turning once you reach the needed torque.


Others have a sort of dial that you tell it the torque you want to apply, then it will click as you reach that torque when turning it.

[4denise]

Thank you. I am looking at them now on Amazon. Is there one that will cover everything I need to do on the PDI? I can always expand my tools later, but I would be horribly frustrated to discover that I had the wrong thing or was missing something when my scooter gets in and I need to do the PDI.

Denise

[4denise]

Okay, I'm looking them over and I have the torque tables up. I see a range of 2 to 43 ft. lbs. I do not see a single wrench that covers all of that, so I'm going to have to buy 2, right?

Denise

[Bashan]

Nah, get one torque wrench that goes up to 100 ft. lbs. I'd go with the type that you set by turning the wheel (the second picture Josh posted) and it simply "clicks" when you hit the right torque. I don't remember anything having 2 ft. lbs. (lbs. ft. .......whatever), a fly could do that. Yep, it's 45 ft. lbs. for the front axle, I can't remeber what the rear is, I think I just honked on that one till I heard my spine click . Rich

[4denise]

Thanks. I think I have my tools picked out now, but I'm going to have to upgrade a few of them down the road. I also need to get a lock for my toolbox. I'm getting tired of my tools disappearing.

Denise

[Cruiser]

I agree with Rich about the 100 ft-lb torque wrench (3/8" drive). However, this one will also cover all automotive uses as well at a great price:

www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-drive-click-stop-torque-wrench-239.html

Torque wrenches are important for engine work and when working with the variator and clutch. The Chinese aluminum is easily stripped and you don't want to lose a variator nut when cruising down the road.

I own a 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive torque wrench. They are very easy to use - much easier than the one's with the scale. Just set the wrench for the desired torque setting and listen for the click when tightening.

[4denise]

Thanks for that recommendation! That is a much lower price than what I already had picked out.

Denise

[Cruiser]

Your welcome. If you plan to go to a Harbor Freight store, print out the link for the torque wrench and bring it with you and they will match the price if it isn't already on sale in the store.

[Bashan]

Man, that is a steal! I think I paid $80.00 for my wrench at Lowes. Don't worry about the fact that it doesn't go below 20, that's "snug it up" territory. It pays to care about all of this but don't over think it either, this is supposed to be fun, These scooters are actually pretty forgiving. Rich

[fubar05]

wow that is the exact one i ordered on monday!,still waiting for it to get here,and the carb i ordered on wensday got here yesterday,go figure...

[4denise]

Sept 18, 2010 4:49:01 GMT -6 Bashan said:

Man, that is a steal! I think I paid $80.00 for my wrench at Lowes. Don't worry about the fact that it doesn't go below 20, that's "snug it up" territory. It pays to care about all of this but don't over think it either, this is supposed to be fun, These scooters are actually pretty forgiving. Rich

I love to research a purchase! I think it's half the fun of getting something new. My philosophy is do all the research and then don't stress about it because I did my best.

I'll keep a little money set aside just in case I did forget something important, but I don't anticipate that happening. I'll be having too much fun learning something new to stress about what I might have accidentally forgotten!

Denise

[Bashan]

You go girl! Rich