Torque wrenches below 5 Nm and angle gauges

[FireFox31]

Which fasteners on a P80 have torque values below 5 Nm? Which have strict angle tightening specs such that an actual gauge is required?

I may need to open the top end of my engine to replace some seals due to oil leaks, so wondering if the tolerances there would require these tools. I see angle tightening specs often but just try to guess at the angle, but I've read that digital gauges are required for sensitive engine components. What do you think?

[850scot]

I don't own a digital or angle torque wrench. Sure they may be a 'nice to have', but a decent manually adjustable torque wrench has done me well for 45+ years. As for angles, they are done simply by using the flats on the nuts/bolts. Each flat is 60 degrees, 90 degress is 1.5 flats, and so on.

I don't believe that any bolt is ever going to need to accurate to better than +/- 1lb if even that close, especially the higher the torque required.

As for 5Nm, I can't think of any fasteners at that small a torque. If I did need something that low I would be looking at a in/lb torque wrench probably in a 1/4" drive. You really want to be away from the minimum load to get the best from a torque wrench.

Neil.

[volvolugnut]

Considering all the variables of thread form errors and friction between threads and mounting faces, I doubt the accuracy of digital torque wrenches will improve the results.
Beam type torque wrenches are available in inch pound ranges at little cost.
volvolugnut

[Chuck W]

I just did valve seals on my '97 and had no need for anything more fancy than a regular *click* in-lb torque wrench.

Nothing on these cars is THAT finicky.

Don't over-complicate it.

[454cid]

One of these days, I need to invest in some better torque wenches. It seems I'm always at the extremes of the ones I have. I've already got an in-lb wrench.

At work there are some fasteners we install at 2.5NM, but they're hardly what I'd consider critical.

[volvolugnut]

I reviewed the torque specs in my paper copy of Haynes manual for Volvo V70(2000-2007) and S80(1998-2006) for lowest specs.
They are:
6 Nm for oil pump to block
5 Nm for ABS ECU mounting bolts
4 Nm for headlight wiper arm bolts
6 Nm for SRS side crash sensors
I may have missed some.

volvolugnut

[MrAl]

Hi,

This might help.
1Nm = 1lb at 9 inches
so if you had a wrench 9 inches long and exert the force at the very end, pounds convert closely to Newton meters.
This means if you exert 5 pounds at the end of the wrench that applies 5Nm to the bolt, 7 pounds is 7Nm, 10 lbs is 10Nm, etc.
If the wrench is longer you have to apply the force farther from the end so it is always about 9 inches from the axial center of the bolt.
You also have to turn the wrench in the same plane as the perpendicular to the bolt which is usually the way we do it automatically anyway.
If you have a spring scale that reads in pounds you can attach it 9 inches from the axial center of the socket. You can then measure the torque using the scale as above.

[Chuck W]

Nothing on a P80 is THAT finicky that you need to worry about that kind of resolution.

Things don't need to be this complicated. Have a decent 1/2"-drive torque wrench that will get you to 250 lb-ft and a 3/8"-drive that will cover the smaller stuff. Anything smaller, use a proper-sized wrench to tighten the small stuff and don't ham-fist it, there is nothing to fuss over.

[Sveedy]

We're not building rocket ships here. Tight enough, but not too tight, is perfect. And keep in mind that torque values are written based on new bolts threading into new threads, in a factory setting where the vehicle has yet to go through even one hot / cold cycle. After years of use, it might take more, or less, torque to get to where you want to be i.e. tight enough, but not too tight. Very scientific.