Do You Really Use Torque Wrench?

[abscate]

For reference - last time I used mine was on the clutch pressure plate bolts (have to be even) and also the subframe bolts on the P2 - Torque plus angle tightening, also on the driveshaft hub bolts - same thing.

[cn90]

It depends on level of experience.

- Newbie: should use torque wrench for everything until they get a feel for torque values.

- Seasoned worker: I have been wrenching for 30 years, so I am like "precopster", I only use torque wrench for critical places like cylinder head bolts, VVT hubs. The wheel lugs: I don't bother with torque wrench, I hand-tighten it until it is snug, then another 45 degrees: been doing this for 30 years.

PS: I have stopped using the click-type, if not calibrated properly, it can be worse than no torque wrench.
I now use only dial-type torque wrench, it is old-school but it works.

[jonesg]

Looked at a digital adapter to indicate torque, stick on any ratchet wrench. It was at HF so I passed, looked like a decent idea if ...if... It works.

[abscate]

Yeah - I think I would pass on that - you can get a decent click Cobalt at Lowes for $60 - keep it in the case and use it carefully and you can get many years out of that. Remember to run the spring down to no tension to store.

[coded9]

I do myself. I'm still somewhat of a newbie but here recently I've started to get idea when enough is enough in tightness, especially where I couldn't use one (like my laptop for example where the screws are super soft). Nothing's fallen apart on me yet (still would do it for drain plugs for GP though or anything where precision is more of an concern).

[prwood]

I use a torque wrench as much as possible for several reasons:

1. I have zero confidence, based on past experience, of my ability to correctly judge adequate torque. I have run into issues both with using too little and too much torque without a torque wrench.
2. Tightening to a consistent torque, and specifying this torque in instructions, makes it much easier for your procedures to be repeated and for others to be trained. Kind of like having a recipe with precise measurements versus saying "a pinch of this, a bit of that..."
3. You can tell someone exactly what torque you tightened something to, so that you're working with a consistent set of measurements, which can aid in diagnostic discussions.
4. I'm a nerd, and I like to do things to factory spec whenever possible.

[thebull]

I`m using torque wrench almost all the time on engine, suspension or wheels.

[j-dawg]

I use the clicker happily. When I have something important to do involving many bolts, I set one screw with a beam-type wrench, set the clicker based on that, then torque all of the bolts with that. This isn't perfect - there's some static friction to overcome before a bolt that was set to a certain torque starts moving again - but it gets you pretty close, and, with most fasteners on a car, pretty close is good enough if it's consistent.

If I have to do head bolts, I'll take my time and use a good wrench, sure. But for most applications, this method strikes a good balance of accuracy, consistency, and convenience.

[cn90]

I like the cooking analogy.

New chef measures everything, how many cups, teaspoons, tablespoons etc.

The seasoned chef goes by "eyeball" and "taste"...lol.

[oragex]

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