Torque Wrenches

[gibsons]

I use to get an uncomfortable feeling when putting my diamond drive cover back on the old M8.

 

[Dragonalain]

I put the chaincase cover back on my sled last night. Spec's call for 12ft.lbs. so I used my mc 3/8. Set it to 144, actually 138in.lbs and started tightening the screws. Guess what, on the lowest screw it didn't click. I could feel that the torque had been achieved, but kept pushing on the wrench waiting for the click. Stopped tightening when I could feel that I was past the "comfort level" of the screw. Ended up splitting the screw hole on the cover. And of course in the lowest spot where the oil can actually leak out. After that I stopped trusting the wrench. Still used it on the remaining screws, but when I felt it should click and it didn't, I put it away and used a regular 1/4 wrench to finish tightening it purely by feel. Not happy with the torque wrench. Can't trust it now for small screws requiring low torque.

Never ideal to use a T wench at its lowest setting. A smaller 3/8 or 1/4 should have been used. For some items a torque meter should be used.

 

[Caper11]

I prefer to stage torque parts, especially my chaincase cover. I still have a uneasy feeling torquing those screws.

 

[woody_tobius_jr]

Not sure if anybody is interested, but I was just looking at the Canadian Tire Flyer Dewalt Torque Wrenches on for 50% off

 

[snowcannon]

And the mc wrenches are another 10 bucks off...

 

[Lund]

I put the chaincase cover back on my sled last night. Spec's call for 12ft.lbs. so I used my mc 3/8. Set it to 144, actually 138in.lbs and started tightening the screws. Guess what, on the lowest screw it didn't click. I could feel that the torque had been achieved, but kept pushing on the wrench waiting for the click. Stopped tightening when I could feel that I was past the "comfort level" of the screw. Ended up splitting the screw hole on the cover. And of course in the lowest spot where the oil can actually leak out. After that I stopped trusting the wrench. Still used it on the remaining screws, but when I felt it should click and it didn't, I put it away and used a regular 1/4 wrench to finish tightening it purely by feel. Not happy with the torque wrench. Can't trust it now for small screws requiring low torque.

Dennis, that torque spec is completely wrong and I'am surprised it has not been corrected yet in the A/C service specs.
The chain case screws(bolts requiring a torx drive) are only 110inch/lbs or 9ft/lbs. At 12ft/lbs you will eventually strip the case housing and end up with a nightmare.
The one you already stripped out can be repaired with a HeliCoil.

Use a 3/8 drive or 1/4 drive click torque wrench. You don't need to spend a load of coin on one. If you want i'll lend you one. I also have some 1/4" Helicoils if you need. Text me if you want them.