How important is a torque wrench?

[BigFurryWhale]

Hi guys. I'm just getting ready to start a timing belt/waterpump/alternator, etc. belt job and I'm wondering just how important a torque wrench is going to be for this job. No where locally seems to have a half decent one in stock. Everything I've found thus far is one of the shitty ones with a needle or doesn't have the right torque ranges. Can I go ahead without one?

[uofom3]

i have not done this personally, but i would surmize that torque specs are fairly important with the timing system.

[MR 325]

I've done my cars without one, nothing has exploded.

[Mike325]

Just look at the torque specs in the bently manual and "feel" the toque with your hands as you are tightnig it down. Do you know what say, 30 fp feels like? Just go by if it says 30 fp, don't tighten it a shit load.

[dkmr]

IMO a torque wrench is important for any nut and bolt wrenching.
In 10 years of engine building I always used one, also got it recalibrated every year.

[BigFurryWhale]

This is my first time doing any major work on my e30 or really any car for that matter(wish me luck!) so I'm not really familiar with what 30fp "feels" like. Should I just tighten the bolts so that they're nice and snug, but nothing more? Most of the things that involve torquing the bentley seems to say are torqued to less than 30fp. Will I be alright with just a "nice and snug" aproach for now? I plan to get a torque wrench soon, but I want to get this job started.

[Erick]

Now that you bring that up, how can one go about recalibrating a torque wrench?

[dkmr]

Now that you bring that up, how can one go about recalibrating a torque wrench?

I just gave it to the Mac Tool guy, he sent it to some instrument company. had it back in about a week.

[StereoInstaller1]

I think the necessity of a torque wrench is all about consistiency (sp?). If you are like the clods at the tire shop next to my shop and cannot manage to evenly torque 4 lugs on a wheel, use a torque wrench. If you think it is OK to close a gap in 2 mating surfaces using bolt torque, yes...buy (a honda and pay a tech, fuckwheat!) a torque wrench and trade it for some tech skills.

If you are a thinking, caring individual with some mechanical finesse, you will be fine. This does NOT apply to a head btw, or a clutch. Have a good torque wrench before starting those jobs, or do not start.

I swear, some poeple have no clue whata torque spec is. 45ftlbs does NOT mean eat a big fucking bowl of wheaties before torqueing, then reef on it as hard as you and both of your roomates can...45 pounds is nice and firm +25%. Then of course is the whole idea of evenly applying pressure to the entire mating surface you are torqueing. Pull 10 lbs. everywhere, spreading the load evenly, then add 15 pounds more, then torque to spec.

Anyway, good luck, you will do fine.

Luke

[DanGillan]

you need one. unless you've been wrenching for a while, you DO NOT know the feel of a certain torque value, you will constantly over or under torque everything. 30 ft/lbs is a lot less than people think when it comes down to it. BUY A TORQUE WRENCH!!! dont fuck around, even a cheap craftsman one will do you fine.

[nando]

why don't you ask the guys here who've had their wheels fall off while driving down the road? just buy a damn torque wrench, they aren't that fucking expensive..

edit: haha, I posted this at the same time as dan.. I didn't intend on poking fun at him (that joke got old years ago).

[BigFurryWhale]

why don't you ask the guys here who've had their wheels fall off while driving down the road? just buy a damn torque wrench, they aren't that fucking expensive..

edit: haha, I posted this at the same time as dan.. I didn't intend on poking fun at him (that joke got old years ago).

I'd love to buy one, and I tried yesterday, but I couldn't find one that seemed to have the right ranges of torques or wasn't a complete peice of shit. And by peice of shit I mean it had some weird ass handle on it and big needle sticking out of it. I plan on getting one ASAP, but I'd like to get the job finished this weekend.

[dkmr]

What they said^

edit: you can convert torque settings from one to another. it should have ft-lbs (easily changed to in-lbs, multiply by 12) and nm ( somewhere there is a conversion factor)

[MR 325]

why don't you ask the guys here who've had their wheels fall off while driving down the road? just buy a damn torque wrench, they aren't that fucking expensive..

edit: haha, I posted this at the same time as dan.. I didn't intend on poking fun at him (that joke got old years ago).

I tighten my wheels by hand with the factory wrench or a star wrench. Never had a problem.

[1991 318is]

Wonder what the torque setting is for those late model oil pump bolts that are notorious for coming loose.
On an added note, it's easy to tell if the resistance begins to lessen. This signals the beginning of "stripping" a bolt or threads. At the first sign of a decrease in resistance you can still extract the bolt and do the necessary repair. If you go a little further than that point, not only do you have stripped threads but the bolt/nut that won't come out. This is usually learned from experience reinforced with the hassle of getting the bolt out. On the front timing cover, etc. a "thread chaser" is more important than a torque wrench. Worst thing you can do is put it back together with sealer and goo on the bolts or in the holes. These chasers clean threads without cutting or damaging existing threads.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog