I messed up, like nobody has ever done before, right? Looking for little bit of wisdom.It was time to adjust my transmission bands. I drained the fluid and removed pan. I went to go get my inch pound torque wrench, and can’t find it. Last time I used it was in Yuma. I think it's in the shed there, and doesn’t help me because I’m at my home base in WA state. I messed up even more by parking behind my other car. So I can’t just hop in car and get another wrench. Neighbor on one side is gone for weekend. Neighbor on other side…Well good fences make good neighbors.Here is plan “B”. Please don’t laugh. I think this will work as I’m creating measured force (torque). But don't want to mess up trans or re-do project again. I need 72 inch lbs. So I'll fill up empty gallon milk jug till I get 6 pounds on a pretty good scale that I have. Put box end of wrench on the bolt I need torqued at right angles and connect other end of wrench to milk jug (with string or something). I would then be at right angles, and gently let the weight of 6 pounds put pressure on bolt.I realize this is mickey mouse but I would prefer not putting pan back on and trans fluid back in, if possible just to go get another torque wrench.Do you think this is going to end well?

In theory it sounds like it will work. Will you be able to pull straight down on all the bolts that need torqued?It's better than trying to guess when you have reached the correct torque.I bet you will make sure you have all the proper tools before you start your next project. :)

Yep, lesson learned..check to make sure ALL tools are on hand before starting work. Will you be able to pull straight down on all the bolts that need torqued? Think I'll be pretty close. I'll double check that.

Not really as length of wrench will determine torque value as well.

Problem solved I hope.Called auto part store where I got trans fluid. Refreshed their memory, I’m the guy that bought all that trans fluid right after you opened up this morning. Do you deliver? “NO not today”. But as it turns out the guy will be sort of going my way when he gets of work and will drop new torque off at my house.Think I'll still try with milk jug weight to see if thinking was right or wrong and then confirm when wrench shows up. My mickey mouse idea is as bad as when I had plumbing leak at a fitting and no Teflon tape with me. I wrapped dental floss around the threads and it worked!Thanks for come back.

Bird Freak wrote:Not really as length of wrench will determine torque value as well.Dang, you're right, didn't think of that.

Messed up and need some wisdom about Torquing | Good Sam Community

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Sep 25, 2015
If you want six inch pounds then if the wrench is 1" long six pounds
2" 3 pounds
3" 2 pounds
six inches 1 pounds

I will let you work out 4 and 5. YOu can attach the weight "Choked" up on the handle (IT 2 pounds at the 3" point)
joshuajim
Explorer II
Sep 25, 2015
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
The Diapered Horsee Appears...

If the pan has never been off, the amount of black goo (bands and clutches residue, gold shavings and powder (bushing) and steel (pump) are a good indicator of just how bad things have deteriorated.

But the key words are. Pan has never been off. The 2nd time around, it's a waste of time.

"It was time to adjust my transmission bands"
How was that decision determined?

Does the transmission have "Morning Sickness"? Delay going from PN into gear? Thumping shifts, overlap or sluggish shifting from low to intermediate or intermediate to direct?

True dat!
jplante4
Explorer II
Sep 24, 2015
path1 wrote:
I need 72 inch lbs. So I'll fill up empty gallon milk jug till I get 6 pounds on a pretty good scale that I have. Put box end of wrench on the bolt I need torqued at right angles and connect other end of wrench to milk jug (with string or something). I would then be at right angles, and gently let the weight of 6 pounds put pressure on bolt.

Wasn't this in a Die Hard movie???
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Sep 24, 2015
The Diapered Horsee Appears...

If the pan has never been off, the amount of black goo (bands and clutches residue, gold shavings and powder (bushing) and steel (pump) are a good indicator of just how bad things have deteriorated.

But the key words are. Pan has never been off. The 2nd time around, it's a waste of time.

"It was time to adjust my transmission bands"
How was that decision determined?

Does the transmission have "Morning Sickness"? Delay going from PN into gear? Thumping shifts, overlap or sluggish shifting from low to intermediate or intermediate to direct?
gkainz
Explorer
Sep 23, 2015
A shop I know who builds and mods Cummins says the same thing - he strongly advises against adjusting the bands for exactly that same reason as above.
joshuajim
Explorer II
Sep 23, 2015
It's not rocket science folks. I used to own and operate a transmission shop. Trans bands are similar to brakes. You want to have them just lightly touching the drum. You can just hand tighten until you feel a small resistance and they will be fine. Yes the manufacturer gives a spec because they have to have one.

Be aware that if the bands are worn that bad as to NEED an adjustment, you probably will be needing a new transmission soon any way.

I would not adjust bands in a transmission that had that much wear in my shop as the O ring on the acutator will now move to a new surface that has a buildup of crud and will start leaking shortly. i.e. "You ruined my transmission and I want you to replace it for free!"

Good luck.
DaHose
Explorer
Sep 23, 2015
12 inch/lb = 1 ft/lb

72 inch/lb = 6 ft/lb

I would doubt your larger torque wrench will be capable of going that low, accurately. You would want 6 lb. on the end of a 12" wrench.

Jose
ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
Sep 23, 2015
Chum lee wrote:

STOP THE INSANITY! Don't do things that you don't have the training or the tools to do. (guess what happens next?)

Chum lee

How many guesses do we get, Obi Wan?...:@

.
Chum_lee
Explorer
Sep 20, 2015
STOP THE INSANITY! Don't do things that you don't have the training or the tools to do. (guess what happens next?)

72 inch-lbs is what you can do with good grip strength, a common screw driver, a new screw, and clean, lubricated threads. BUT, . . . . . you have to know that before you do that.

Chum lee
pigman1
Explorer
Sep 20, 2015
Your idea will work just fine, but you need to measure the wrench. Torque you need is 72 in-lb. That's 72 pounds on a 1" wrench or 36 pounds on a 2" wrench or 18 pounds on a 4" wrench...... etc. Just measure the wrench in inches, divide the length of the pull from bolt center to pulling cord into 72 and make your jug that heavy. Keep the wrench at right angle to the pulling cord or as close as you can and you're great. You just gotta be flexible, but your make-do idea would work just fine.