what torque wrench

[gride300]

i want a torque wrench to check my lugs on the trailer and for changing prop. do i need different ones? i noticed lowes has 1/2" and 3/8".

[Andrew]

RE: what torque wrench

I personally have no use for a 3/8" torque wrench.... I'd go with the 1/2" You don't really need a torque wrench for changing a prop though....

[gride300]

RE: what torque wrench

i noticed it says min. 3ft lb torque for the prop and a max of 30. i mainly just want it for my trailer wheels.

[Nautiquehunter]

RE: what torque wrench

Go with the 1/2 " for your wheels 100 ft lbs is a good rule of thumb for all wheels .
You should torque your car wheels also. If its a click style make sure you bring it back to 0 after
using that will help to keep the calibration .

[AirTool]

Re: RE: what torque wrench

i noticed it says min. 3ft lb torque for the prop and a max of 30. i mainly just want it for my trailer wheels.

3? no way.

I've used a 3/8 and a 1/2 torque wrench on the prop and I guarantee you that both of them will lead you to believe your nut is not tight enough because of the lack of effort required with such a long wrench. Another opinion based on experience with the torque wrench is that if you have to block your prop to tighten it or loosen it, the nut is/was too tight. I now use a gloved hand to hold the prop and an adjustable wrench to tighten the nut. I've checked it going on and off with the torque wrench and it is very close to the 30 lb-ft. It is a prop....not a head bolt.

Get the 1/2" for the wheel lugs. You'll be glad you did. I've been doing that for almost two decades now. I used to take my torque wrench to Discount Tire before they made that a standard procedure.

Andrew - I have a 1/2" and two 3/8" wrenches...one in lb-ft; one in lb-in. They have come in quite handy doing engine work with aluminum stuff and other flimsy fasteners. Just look up the value in the helm book...dial it in and "click"...done. Recently changed in the intake gaskets in my 99 two-door Tahoe vortec and my 93 4.3z engine and they were very useful. I would really like to get a torque screwdriver for little stuff...but they are about $150. I overtightned the dist'r cap on the vortec and the plastic ear broke off the plastic housing (thanks GM). It was a good reason to buy an Accel billet distributor.

For all, the general rule for fasteners is: Without a torque wrench, little fasteners are generally overtightened and big fasteners are usually undertightend.

AirTool

[8122pbrainard]

RE: Re: RE: what torque wrench

Just as AT has mentioned, it doesn't take much torque to lock on a prop BUT, the taper needs to fit!

http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum...12866&PN=1

[Andrew]

RE: Re: RE: what torque wrench

For a torque screwdriver, might i recommend the wheeler engineering fat wrench? I absolutely love mine!

[AirTool]

Re: RE: Re: RE: what torque wrench

Just as AT has mentioned, it doesn't take much torque to lock on a prop BUT, the taper needs to fit!

http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum...12866&PN=1

Agree and I almost mentioned that in my post. I lapped two props last year and it is worth the effort. I didn't use the blue...it was pretty easy to eyeball where the compound was working and where the gaps were. Next time I'll try the blue.

For a torque screwdriver, might i recommend the wheeler engineering fat wrench? I absolutely love mine!

Excellent ! and only 50 bucks!

[8122pbrainard]

Re: RE: Re: RE: what torque wrench

Just as AT has mentioned, it doesn't take much torque to lock on a prop BUT, the taper needs to fit!

http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum...12866&PN=1

Agree and I almost mentioned that in my post. I lapped two props last year and it is worth the effort. I didn't use the blue...it was pretty easy to eyeball where the compound was working and where the gaps were. Next time I'll try the blue.

AT, Yes I too agree that the blue really isn't needed. I used it more for a visual tool for the people who may not truely understand the fit of a taper.

BTW, the high spot blue is getting hard to find. Napa dropped it!! I guess no one sets up gear backlash in differentials anymore. I ended up ordering it from McMaster-Carr.

[DanielC]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: what torque wrench

I use a bending beam type torque wrench. They work fine, do not have to be reset to zero, and still remain calibrated if a speck of dirt gets on the beam, or if they are dropped.

[gride300]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: what torque wrench

where can i find the valve grinding compound?

[DanielC]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: what torque wrench

Auto parts store. Look for one that has an attached machine shop, avoid one than mainly sells spoilers for Hondas.

[gride300]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: what torque wrench

so im about to order the blue hi spot since i've never done it before, and i guess i can get the valve compound at napa, what type solvent do i use? im excited

[DanielC]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: what torque wrench

I assume you are talking about a solvent to remove the valve grinding compound off the prop shaft.
Wipe as much as you can with a rag, both in the bore of the propeller, and off the shaft, and then I use a diluted solution of Dawn dishwashing detergent, in water. A small detail brush will help remove the last traces of compound from the shaft keyway, and the keyway in the prop. When you can pass a white rag over the keyway, and through the prop hole, and there is no trace of the compound, it is clean.

[8122pbrainard]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: what torque wrench

Grid,
A good parts store (not Autozone!!!!) will carry valve griding compound in a oil base and a water soluble. I use the oil just because I always have a solvent in the shop so I don't need to run in the house and get the dish soap. Really, ether will work fine but I prefer the oil as it won't dry out. Any solvent like toluol will work. You will need the solvent anyway because the high spot is a oil base.