Torque wrench a necessary tool for car repair

The force applied to the top of the bolt when it is twisted or unscrewed is called the moment of force. Moreover, in the car there are such fasteners that need a very precise tightening, that is, they must be applied with specific force. It is important that the item works properly and reliably. As a rule, vehicle manufacturers indicate the degree of tightening in the technical documentation of their products.

And here car owners may have difficulties, since you won’t do such a procedure by eye, and it’s just not possible to determine the exact effort. When the driver begins to think about the tightening power of car mounts, to guess "is this nut tightened enough or needs to be even stronger" is fundamentally the wrong approach. Therefore, for such cases, a special tool was created-a torque wrench. It must be in the set of car tools for each driver. To choose the right key, you first need to understand how it works.

How it works

The difference between standard wrenches and torque wrenches is that the latter has a special indicator, needle or arrow, indicating how much force is applied to the handle. He also makes a distinctive clicking sound when working.

Keys can have different joining squares. Its size is usually: 1/2 ”, 3/8”, 3/4 ”and 1”. It determines which socket or extension can be attached and used with this key. Models with a small connecting square can be used to work with thin and sensitive parts, that is, for joints requiring literally surgical precision when tightening nuts and bolts. Larger ones are designed to work on joints that require more force when tightening. For example, the nuts of the crankshaft pulley or transmission are tightened with such keys. As with standard socket wrenches, the 1/2 inch model is considered the most versatile. This key can handle most of the tasks that arise when repairing a car.

It is also worth paying attention to the following point: in order for the key to guarantee the correct measurement of torque during tightening, it is important to accurately calibrate it to the minimum value, and also to know on which fasteners the measurements are taken-greased or dry.

What are the car torque wrenches

There are 4 main varieties of car torque wrenches, which differ among themselves by the principle of their work: digital, alkaline (ratchet), scale and with a dial indicator. Let's take a closer look at the features of each type.

Dial and dial key

These two types can be combined, since they are very similar to each other according to the principle of their work. They use a simple mechanical design, connected to a pointer that moves on a scale with indicators of torque. The scale is usually located on the handle of the key. Instead of a dial, dial keys use a special dial indicator. When a person applies force to the handle of such a key, then on the scale or dial you can see the current value of the torque, which is determined according to the deflection of the handle. Please note that when working with keys of this type in low light conditions, for example, in dark places under the hood, it is recommended to use an additional light source. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to consider the data on the scale.

Ratchet wrench

This type of drivers among themselves are often called "nutcrackers." Such keys are convenient, they use clicks as an indicator, which are easily perceived by ear. The key is equipped with a special adjustable ring, which is located around the base of the handle. With it, you can quickly set l the exact value of the necessary effort with which to tighten one or another nut or bolt. In the process of tightening the fasteners with a pre-set torque, you can hear a loud click of the ratchet mechanism, it warns that it is necessary to stop working, since the specified torque has been achieved. The advantage of such models is that there is no need to constantly peer at the dial with the arrow, because it is not always possible to consider the indicators well. Here you can rely only on your own ears, it is much more convenient. Setting up the key is very simple-just turn the knob in or out, moving the indicator on the power scale up and down, choosing a value at which the key will then signal to achieve the desired level of effort.

Digital torque wrenches

This is the most accurate option, but also the most expensive. In keys of this type, a special electronic strain gauge is used, placed inside the handle. It sends a signal to a special display with backlight. The key is quite convenient and extremely easy to use, but it also has some disadvantages. In particular, batteries are needed for its operation, plus the design is rather fragile and sensitive, you should handle this tool very carefully and accurately.

Why is it important to have a torque wrench in the garage?

Knowing with what force you need to tighten the bolts in car mounts is very important. This is because if you tighten it loosely, the bolt can easily loosen and the muffler or wheel will fall off along the road. Tightening too tight can lead to thread breakage or damage to some components. For example, excessively tightened wheel nuts can cause deformation and damage to the brake rotor, accelerated wear of the brake system, an increase in the length of the braking distance and jamming of the steering tips. To avoid such problems, the instructions for modern vehicles must contain recommendations on the optimal value of the force used when tightening various fasteners.

If you have work related to the repair of a motor or transmission system, a torque wrench must be required. Very tightening of the bolts on the engine cylinder head can cause serious damage or coolant leakage. And this, in turn, may require serious repair costs. Overtightened exhaust manifold bolts cause cracks in the manifold.

Tightening force is one of the most important parameters that affects the proper repair of a car. In manuals for the maintenance and operation of vehicles, this value is often given along with basic recommendations and operating rules. Often the information is presented in the form of a table indicating the specific fastener, its location and the recommended tightening torque.

What to look for when choosing a torque wrench for a car?

When buying a new torque wrench, check that it is calibrated in the units of measure you need specified in the technical documentation of your car. Otherwise, you will need a special conversion table, which is not always convenient.

Torque strength is measured in the following units:

• newton meter (Nm);
• pound-force feet (lb-ft).
• kilogram-force meter (kgm);

Key parameters to pay attention to when choosing a torque wrench:

• Range of effort-the minimum value should not be lower from 20-110 Nm.
• Convenient handle-this is important, it should have a special non-slip coating so that the key is as comfortable as possible to work with.
• The ratchet models must have a special locking ring, which will provide an easy, most accurate and convenient adjustment of the tightening force.
• It will not be superfluous to have an additional protective cover, so you can conveniently store the tool in the garage or carry it with you in the trunk without fear of damage.

If you want to buy torque wrench in Kiev, Kharkov or Odessa, then in the online store 130.com.ua you can easily find the right model with the right characteristics.

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