Torque wrench...

[OMalley44]

I received a torque wrench for Christmas but noted it only starts at 16.9 NM. Return for a smaller wrench? I noted that a lot of the screws take a smaller torque value than that......

Todd

[coolrider]

To start with, the valve clearance adjuster lock nut is 8 Nm and the cylinder head cover bolt is 10 Nm.

[marc]

One torque wrench isn't enough. I currently have 3. The one most used goes from about 27 Nm to 135 Nm. Sound's like you are in the correct range for your first torque wrench.

I do not use my smaller torque wrench when doing things adjusting the valves. The valve cover screws have a shoulder and are held in place with rubber bushings. When they stop turning, stop. Adding any extra torque will only damage the threads. The valve adjuster doesn't need much torque, either. I'd probably not be able to use a torque wrench on the adjuster while keeping the appropriate clearance, anyway. A small and thin 10 mm box wrench is the perfect tool for that job.

[OMalley44]

for the replies. I'll keep the one I have for now. Never used one before and wondered if I started below the graduations on the bar that would be lower than the 16.9

[RickC]

That would not be a good idea. Torque wrenches are the least accurate at the extremes of their ranges.

[Twempie]

Originally Posted by OMalley44

for the replies. I'll keep the one I have for now. Never used one before and wondered if I started below the graduations on the bar that would be lower than the 16.9

Kinda defeats the purpose of a torque wrench, dunnit?

[RickC]

Originally Posted by Twempie

Kinda defeats the purpose of a torque wrench, dunnit?

Not really, they are designed to work in the ranges they are built for. Another note for you rookie torque wrench users; if your click type wrench sets it's torque by screwing the end of the wrench in and lining up graduations on the barrel; always remember to back the torque wrench all the way down past it's minimum setting. You are compressing a coil spring and if you leave it compressed the spring will take a set over time and loose it's accuracy.

[Twempie]

Originally Posted by RickC

Not really, they are designed to work in the ranges they are built for. Another note for you rookie torque wrench users; if your click type wrench sets it's torque by screwing the end of the wrench in and lining up graduations on the barrel; always remember to back the torque wrench all the way down past it's minimum setting. You are compressing a coil spring and if you leave it compressed the spring will take a set over time and loose it's accuracy.

So if torque wrenches are used for the ranges they are built for, and the OP wants to use his torque wrench outside that range, he says "lower than the 16.9"... Doesn't this mean the OP is using the torque wrench as a... wrench (without the torque part) and defeating the purpose?

[OMalley44]

It seems so (for using it for lesser torque settings). That's why I asked. I am the proverbial "rookie torque wrench user". And since the directions are printed so small that I'll have to buy a magnifying glass to read them, I figured I'd ask here. Seeing the graduations on the barrel and the smaller numbers on the ring dial at the handle, I wondered if you started at zero, then turned it to the smaller number prior to getting to 16.9, then the smaller numbers may work. But then again, it would've been labled for smaller ratings if that were true......thanks for the info.

[OMalley44]

And of interest, I just received the JVB DVD's and watched a good portion of the maintenance DVD further confirming I need to get the smaller torque wrench at some point soon seeing I'll need to do the 36000mile maintenance.