sm

Morning all,

I see some oil "sweating" out around the oil pan gasket and was wondering how tight they should be.

I need to get a torque wrench for these sensitive areas - can anybody recommend one? Should I get a 1/2 inch or 3/8 inch drive?

Thanks!

Perry 951

1st Stage - Hand Tight
2nd Stage - 3ft/lbs
3rd Stage - 6ft/lbs

Make sure you follow the correct tightening sequence in the manual.

dgz924s

I use both sizes of Torque wrenches. 15mm and under I use the 3/8"- larger use the 1/2" but as tight as these cars are the smaller the better in alot of cases. 3/8" is fine for oil pan. GL D <img src="graemlins/drink.gif" border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" />

Wachuko

Believe me you do not want to over torque it... (Jaime, ready to pick up his rewelded/repaired oil pan due to over torquing these suckers...)

I am now trying to find a torque wrench that can do low torque values.

Steve Lavigne

Due to the need for varying torques, I actually have three different click type torque wrenches plus a old needle type I bought a long time ago.

I use my inch*lb 3/8" torque wrench for those small fasteners. 6 ft*lbs of course translates to 72 inch*lbs.

Steve Lavigne

[quote]Originally posted by Jaime Diaz:
<strong>I am now trying to find a torque wrench that can do low torque values.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I got my low torque torque wrench at a small retail tool chain called Tool Town in the Seattle area. There may be something similar in your neck of the woods. I think I paid around $70 for mine.

You could always go with a Snap On, but they are about $180. If you want to go this route, either hunt for a Snap On truck near the auto dealers and repair shops in your area, or call their main number to get referred to a local guy. The Snap On torque wrenches are so much nicer than my off brand in-lb and Crapsman torque wrenches.

Wachuko

[quote]Originally posted by Steve Lavigne:
<strong>

I got my low torque torque wrench at a small retail tool chain called Tool Town in the Seattle area. There may be something similar in your neck of the woods. I think I paid around $70 for mine.

You could always go with a Snap On, but they are about $180. If you want to go this route, either hunt for a Snap On truck near the auto dealers and repair shops in your area, or call their main number to get referred to a local guy. The Snap On torque wrenches are so much nicer than my off brand in-lb and Crapsman torque wrenches.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I wanted to avoid the 180.00 expense. But this is one of those tools your really need a good one to avoid mishaps... thanks!!

Wachuko

Snap-on - Torque Wrench, Adj. Click-type, U.S., Flex-Ratchet, 5-75 ft. lb., 3/8" drive - US$202.00

Torque Wrench, Adj. Click-type, U.S., Fixed, 5-75 ft. lb., 3/8" drive - US$187.00

Steve Lavigne

Check out this <a href="http://makeashorterlink.com/?H39426332" target="_blank">20-200 in-lb torque wrench</a>. It's less than $30 and I bet it will be close enough for what you will be doing. Remember, if it's off by 10%, that equates to only about .6 lb-ft. Plus, the 20 in-lb's equates to roughly 1.6 lb-ft, which means it will work for the initial 3 lb's required for the first stage or torque.

MadMax

Guys I hate to be a stickler here but NO torque wrench is accurate in the upper 5-10% or lower 5-10% of its range. For that reason, you need to get an inch pound torque wrench for the oil pan bolts. As Jaime has stated it is NOT an item that will tolerate over/under torque. Do it incorrectly and learn the hard way. Buy the proper tool and be happy. That's my two cents.

Regards,
Max

sm

Thanks for the input guys...

But are Craftsman tools really that bad, with the lifetime warranty and all?

Mark Parker

Along that accuracy line. Remember that you lose effective torque as you add extensions to the setup, and to try and torque through a swivel socket is about like,,,well, pissin' up a rope.

Steve Lavigne

[quote]Originally posted by Mark Parker:
<strong>Along that accuracy line. Remember that you lose effective torque as you add extensions to the setup, and to try and torque through a swivel socket is about like,,,well, pissin' up a rope.</strong><hr></blockquote>

If the extensions are perpendicular to the head of the torque wrench, you don't lose any torque. If you use a crowfoot the actual torque on the fastener will be less than what is set on the torque wrench.

sm

Steve,

that reminds me...should i get a set of crowsfoot wrenches? do our cars often require them?

Wachuko

[quote]Originally posted by Steve Lavigne:
<strong>Check out this <a href="http://makeashorterlink.com/?H39426332" target="_blank">20-200 in-lb torque wrench</a>. It's less than $30 and I bet it will be close enough for what you will be doing. Remember, if it's off by 10%, that equates to only about .6 lb-ft. Plus, the 20 in-lb's equates to roughly 1.6 lb-ft, which means it will work for the initial 3 lb's required for the first stage or torque.</strong><hr></blockquote>

<img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" /> I wish I had seen the post... I took off and ended buying one at Pep Boys for 70.00

Will be installing the oil pan tonight!