Need help with 1/2-inch drive torque wrench
Discussion
I've got a torque wrench to check and set the torque settings of the wheel nuts on my car. I while back I bought a telescopic breaker bar with a set of sockets of varying sizes, which included one socket with a 19mm end. Each socket has a different sized end (so they're effectively two sockets in one: for example a 17mm and a 19mm socket) and all of the sockets fit the breaker bar.
Now here's my problem - the sockets won't fit the torque wrench as the 1/2-inch spindle on the torque wrench isn't long enough to get to the middle of the socket to clip on to.
I don't want to spend loads more money on buying new sockets if I can avoid it. Is there a an extension bar I can buy that will make the 1/2-inch spindle longer to get into the 17/19mm socket? If so, what's a 'safe' size of extension bar to use for wheel nuts when using a torque wrench that will minimise slippage?
Or am I just better off buying a dedicated 19mm socket specifically designed for wheel nuts (the ones that come with a plastic outer lining to stop alloys being damaged if they slip)?
Now here's my problem - the sockets won't fit the torque wrench as the 1/2-inch spindle on the torque wrench isn't long enough to get to the middle of the socket to clip on to.
I don't want to spend loads more money on buying new sockets if I can avoid it. Is there a an extension bar I can buy that will make the 1/2-inch spindle longer to get into the 17/19mm socket? If so, what's a 'safe' size of extension bar to use for wheel nuts when using a torque wrench that will minimise slippage?
Or am I just better off buying a dedicated 19mm socket specifically designed for wheel nuts (the ones that come with a plastic outer lining to stop alloys being damaged if they slip)?
Jimmyarm said:
Just get a 19mm socket it is easier.
Adding an extension affects the torque the wrench 'clicks' at (the Snap On ones come with a nice little table that tells you how to adjust the setting so you get the correct torque at the fastener, doubt the cheaper ones do!)
I'm sure I'm showing my ignorance here, but does it? That would seem to be suggesting that the extension is altering the leverage?Adding an extension affects the torque the wrench 'clicks' at (the Snap On ones come with a nice little table that tells you how to adjust the setting so you get the correct torque at the fastener, doubt the cheaper ones do!)
Jimmyarm said:
Adding an extension affects the torque the wrench 'clicks' at (the Snap On ones come with a nice little table that tells you how to adjust the setting so you get the correct torque at the fastener, doubt the cheaper ones do!)
Extending the spindle will make no difference. Adding an extender to the wrench, making the total arm longer, only affects the measured torque if it attaches to the drive. Extending the handle on the other end makes no difference to the measured torque.OP - buy a new socket, and cover in tape.
TBH a short extension will be more expensive than a socket, does it need to be a deep reach? 99.9% of wheels i remove using an air ratchet i do with the normal short impact socket, which you wont need but i could use any normal short socket if i used a breaker bar.
The only time i could see an extension bar altering the torque recieved at the socket is if it twisted, most head bolts i've done were torqued up using an extension bar if the engine is still in the vehical and TBH any samll differance in the actuall torque wont really make a diiferance in the real world, how many times have the nuts been done in the past at a guestimated tighness? ever fallen off, no didn't think so, torquing up a wheel is ni on allways to prevent overtightening not under.
The only time i could see an extension bar altering the torque recieved at the socket is if it twisted, most head bolts i've done were torqued up using an extension bar if the engine is still in the vehical and TBH any samll differance in the actuall torque wont really make a diiferance in the real world, how many times have the nuts been done in the past at a guestimated tighness? ever fallen off, no didn't think so, torquing up a wheel is ni on allways to prevent overtightening not under.
Edited by S0 What on Friday 21st October 17:23
Job jobbed!
Popped into my local Halfords and got a 19mm deep socket. I'm glad I did as every single wheel nut was slightly loose - probably not to the point of being dangerous but still loose. Tightened up to 140Nm which is what it says in the manual.
One of the locking wheel nuts was completely loose! I found it was tricky to get the locking wheel nut key to locate correctly so had to make a few attempts to tighten all of the locking wheel nuts. I guess there's a knack to it?
Anyway, I'm really happy that I'm able to check the torque on the wheel nuts now. Thanks all for your advice.
Popped into my local Halfords and got a 19mm deep socket. I'm glad I did as every single wheel nut was slightly loose - probably not to the point of being dangerous but still loose. Tightened up to 140Nm which is what it says in the manual.
One of the locking wheel nuts was completely loose! I found it was tricky to get the locking wheel nut key to locate correctly so had to make a few attempts to tighten all of the locking wheel nuts. I guess there's a knack to it?
Anyway, I'm really happy that I'm able to check the torque on the wheel nuts now. Thanks all for your advice.
TallPaul said:
The extension will twist with the torsion applied so the torque wrench will give an incorrect reading. Although in reality its such a small amount it makes almost no difference.
The reading will still be correct, you just need to twist it more to get the same torque. As an analogy, weighing scales don't give a different reading if you put springs under your feet :-) TallPaul said:
Some of the torque that should be applied to the fastener will be lost in twisting the extension so the bolt will be less tight. Its a miniscule amount especially with a short 1/2 inch extension and most likely the error in an uncalibrated/ cheap torque wrench will be far greater.
No it won't. You don't "lose" torque - if you apply it at one end of the extension then it'll be reacted at the other end irrespective of how stiff (or otherwise!) the extension is.Mave said:
TallPaul said:
The extension will twist with the torsion applied so the torque wrench will give an incorrect reading. Although in reality its such a small amount it makes almost no difference.
The reading will still be correct, you just need to twist it more to get the same torque. As an analogy, weighing scales don't give a different reading if you put springs under your feet :-) 
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff