Is a Torque wrench absolutely necessary?

My dad always told me I didn't need a torque wrench, and to just tighten as tight as I can. Now that I've been doing things on my own, I always see "torque this, torque that". Is it really necessary?

Example: I wan't to put my AAL's on today, but I don't have a torque wrench. . .Should I go buy or rent one?

 

Yes.

 

^^^ x2

 

Just buy a cheap one from harbor freight, they are $10. Better than guessing if something is tight enough, or over torquing and stripping a nut or bolt.

 

I may sound like a child, but why? What difference does it make? As long as it doesn't come loose.

 

Go buy one at an autoparts store. I got a 1/2 drive from autozone. Not the most expensive, but it did the job

 

I have installed a lot of stuff and most of it I didn't torque. I just made sure everything was still tight 100 miles later.

But I do have one and try to use it. You can always just guess right now and install them. Then withing the next few days go buy one and check. I got a decent one from autozone for 25 bucks.

 

A torque wrench can be a very important tool to have. Especially when you must torque specific things like wheel hubs or trunion bearings etc.... to the correct pre-load value. Also with alot of things being aluminum on todays engines you had better not just go tightening everything to "as tight as you can".

 

everything was steel back in the old days, you could torque the hell out of eveything

Now a days there is alot of aluminum, its a softer metal and can easily be damaged

like a beer can!

 

Do you want to be sure you tightened it enough or do you want to find out only when it falls apart?

Some things aren't meant to be tightened as hard as you can tighten them. Bolts that go through parts that are supposed to move is one example.

 

Y e s !!!!!

 

Here's one example: Over-torquing lug nuts is quite common. Not only could you strip the nut by over-torquing, but you can damage your wheels too.

Think if the nut is just about at it's breaking point when you put it on....a few bumps and it strips off. How many weeks would it take you to realize you are driving around with only 5 lugs?

Picture the same thing if it were a front or rear shock. Even more of a disaster.

 

I agree. Aluminum is very fragile. Even with my torque wrench I had problems with my cam bolts. I had to fix the threads. A few stripped out. Imagine if the torque was different on all the bolts. Could have messed up some serious stuff. Well the point of the story is too better be safe than sorry.

 

damn I love TW. Looks like the majority rules. Guess I will head down to Oreilly's and check this one out. Is this a good brand? I try my best to stay away from AutoCrap(Zone). http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/WMR0/M200DB.oap?keyword=torque+wrench

 

Looks good to me

 

I have lifted two jeeps, my tacoma, done an engine transplant, break jobs, and countless other misc. DIY projects, and never once used a torque wrench. Never had a problem with any of the work done. I am a firm believer in 'common sense prevails'. Its as simple as - make it really tight, but not too tight. . . On the other hand, if you doubt yourself, maybe a torque wrench is a good idea. Just because I never use one, does not mean its a bad idea to have one. Just MHO. And good luck with the aal! Post pics when its done.

 

I've got that one. My only complaint is it keeps loosening the adjuster and may change the torque setting on you as you use it. But it works. While you're at it, get a socket for your lug nuts to fit it too and don't ever use the lug nut wrench that came with the truck (store the torque wrench in its place instead). Using the OEM wrench will strip the fake cover off your lug nuts (or warp them).

 

i have 2 torque wrenchs, a 1/2 and a 3/8 drive and i rarely use them. i can usually judge by feel how much foot pounds im putting on something. i should probably get in the habit of using them more though.

 

Yeh too late for that lol. My lug nuts looks like shit. I have to beat them out of the socket everytime I rotate tires now, beacause they wont fit in the size they're supposed to.

anyways, I'm heading to Oreilly's now, Ill post pics tonight even though I'm only working on the back today, then doing my 5100's up front Sunday. CANT WAIT!