Torque Wrench Advice...

[Screwtop]

Guys (gals too maybe),

I'm going to purchase a torque wrench (or wrenches) so I can handle some of the basic maintenance on my 09 FLHX. I'll primarily just do fluids, but I may dabble in other things as I get more confident (my new J&S Jack really inspires confidence!!)

I'm most familiar with the Craftsman variety, but I'm not sure what is best for my application. Can I get a 3/8 drive wrench with capability to do both inch pounds and foot pounds? Is there a good overall single wrench of appropriate length that has this capability, or will I have to buy 2 wrenches? Also, do any of you have your wrenches calibrated on a regular basis?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

ST

[berserker]

Depends how much you want to spend. I like my 3/8 drive 70max tq wrench for most things. I also have one that goes to low or mid 100s for axle nuts, 1/2 drive. I like this combination, of having both 3/8 and 1/2 drive, thouh you can use adapters.

Both mine are Craftsman. I wouldn't mind finding a 1/4 drive one, someday

[rewind]

Harbor Freight sells them. I was told by someone who calabrates torque wrenches for the military that these are good for the home user, and you don't spend a butt load of $$.

[BigSwede]

vote #2 for craftsman, though my 1/4" drive is actually from harbor freight....handmedown from my dad, said it never failed an inspection when he was still workin on helicopters....

[kemo]

You don't need a fancy dancy torque wrench. It doesn't really matter if it is dead nuts on. The most important thing is that you are getting an even torque pattern all the way around. Most people don't even know what a torque sequence is. Get a wrench at Harbor Freight. It is most likely accurate to 4% or better.

[Flyin Brian]

I have 2 Craftsman torque wrenches; a 3/8" inch pounds and a 3/8" foot pounds. Pretty much covers everything I need to do except the compensator nut, but I can borrow one for that.

I think harbor freight is great for buying stuff like tarps and jacks, etc. But I wouldn't buy any type of measuring device from them... I can't imagine trusting a $5 torque wrench on a $5K rebuild.

[Thealien]

Originally Posted by Flyin Brian

I have 2 Craftsman torque wrenches; a 3/8" inch pounds and a 3/8" foot pounds. Pretty much covers everything I need to do except the compensator nut, but I can borrow one for that.

I think harbor freight is great for buying stuff like tarps and jacks, etc. But I wouldn't buy any type of measuring device from them... I can't imagine trusting a $5 torque wrench on a $5K rebuild.

I have to agree

[28gauge]

I agree that you don't have to get a real accurate wrench. However, if you are mostly doing fluid changes, most wrenches are to high to be accurate where you use them. For the oil pan, trans, and primary drains you're OK. While 14-21 ft lbs (their torque specs) is at the lower end of most wrenches, it will still be accurate enough. The problem is the derby cover bolts. At 84 to 108 inch lbs which is 7 to 9 ft lbs, you are dialing too low on most larger wrenches to be accurate and you do not want to strip one of those, which you can do on a big wrench. I used to dial down low, but now I go as tight as I can with a standard quarter inch drive ratchet. Maybe I'll get a small torque wrench just for the derby? My advise, Get the lowest upper limit you can find. My Sears goes up to 75 ft lbs which is OK, but I wish it topped out at 50.

[fauskar]

Try www.eMaxAction.com for CDI Torque wrenches. I bought two and I'm totally happy with the quaility.

[route66paul]

There are few places on a HD that need a big torque wrench in ft lbs, be sure to get the smaller inch lbs wrench. The big one can get near, but not that close.

[NHFree1]

I got a GearWrench 3/8 drive on Amazon before I did my engine work. It goes down to 10 ft lbs. I thought about a 1/4" drive one, but this one seemed to be a better fit for what I needed. The bike is all I use it on though. I have a 1/2" drive one for bigger stuff. Here's the link to the one I got. I paid $95 delivered when I got it. It's $100 now with shipping included. I'm actually the only one that's posted a review of it on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-850...8224062&sr=8-2

[Screwtop]

Thank you all for the replies. This gives me a good idea of what to look for.

Regards,

ST

[sportking]

I have always wondered if there was a touque wrench that worked both ways for right and left handed apps
And by the way I took that piece of c##p Harbor thing back to where I got it
I just could not trust it
My favorite one is a 1/2 in drive Proto that I bought over 30 years ago

[06HD]

Originally Posted by Screwtop

Guys (gals too maybe),

I'm going to purchase a torque wrench (or wrenches) so I can handle some of the basic maintenance on my 09 FLHX. I'll primarily just do fluids, but I may dabble in other things as I get more confident (my new J&S Jack really inspires confidence!!)

I'm most familiar with the Craftsman variety, but I'm not sure what is best for my application. Can I get a 3/8 drive wrench with capability to do both inch pounds and foot pounds? Is there a good overall single wrench of appropriate length that has this capability, or will I have to buy 2 wrenches? Also, do any of you have your wrenches calibrated on a regular basis?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

ST

screwhead Forget all this harbor frieght junk. I've been doing this for 54 years. Get yourself a 1/4 inch lbs. Matco Torque Wrench . They are the best in my book. Just like the one juy said, don't buy a 5.00 Torque Wrench to do a 5,000 dollar job. You will thank me later. Get the 3/8 Matco as well.

[FatBobRob]

My wrenches are getting up there in age. i baby 'em and always set them back to 0.Anybody know a good place in the east to have them recalibrated?