Hey Guys,Mounted all four new tires and rims on without a problem, but I do have a question. When i went to put tighten the lugs with the torque wrench, I needed to add an extension onto the torque wrench, otherwise I couldn't get the wrench on the lugs. My question is, with the added length, (about 12 inches with the deep socket and extension), how much does this change the the actual reading? So by adding a foot is my reading actually less than the 100# of torque on the wrench. By the way, Sears had a 1/2 drive wrench for $39.Thanks,Deano

http://www.norbar.com/en-gb/Home/Torque-Wrench-Extension-CalculatorGo to this web site and download the phone app to fig torque. Phone app will be good to have for quick use

Technically, yes. It would be so slight as not enough to matter when applied to wheel lug nuts.What really matters is to have all the nuts torqued the same so that each one is carrying an equal load.

Deano,When using a simple straight extension between the socket and the torque wrench, you are not changing the leverage since the force applied at the socket is still along the centerline of the head of the wrench.If measuring this in a lab, then yes you could likely note some small difference due to potential "spring" effect of the extension "winding up", which would vary with the length, diameter and material it is alloyed from.For what we are doing here (lug nuts), the accuracy tolerance of the wrench and whether you are holding the wrench/extension/socket in perfect alignment would likely have far more effect. Also the relative cleanliness and accuracy of the threads.I set my torque wrench to 70 ft-lbs, do up all the fasteners, reset to 100 ft-lbs, do them up again and call it good. Some people do them up in three stages. I recheck them two more times after approx 50 miles, and then at 100 or 200 miles. Works for me.That's my opinion and understanding anyway.Edit, perhaps Ron G will chime in with the view from a mechanical engineers perspective.

I would be concerned using a $39.00 torque wrench. I have had some bad experiences with inexpensive tools. But Sears tools normally are good. I agree with others on using a lower setting before the final torque is applied. Also cross torque. Do not tighten lug nuts that are beside each other. On a five lug wheel I will skip a lug nut as I go around a wheel. Six lug wheels cross to the opposite side.

Torquing by hand with an extension on your torque wrench is not going to affect the torque to the nut at all. Don't worry about that.

Torque Wrench Question | Good Sam Community

Durb
Explorer
May 03, 2016
rbpru wrote:
I do not know what the tire shop set the torque of their air guns at but it was more than the 150 lbs I set my wrench too.

I torque to 90 lbs and check when get to my desination. I have never had it change after the third check.

If the pre torque (air gun) is more than the desired torque then the torque wrench is just a placebo and might as well stay in the case. The torque wrench needs to turn the lug nut in order to be effective. If over torqued, loosen one lug nut and re torque. Move to the next lug nut in the pattern and do the same. This technique will eliminate any cross talk between the lug nuts. Use good technique when loading the torque wrench and the nuts will be right on.
gmw_photos
Explorer
May 03, 2016
joshuajim wrote:
The only comment I would have on the 3 step torquing is to be careful not to get the second torque value too close to the third. It takes considerably more torque to "break" the fastener loose than it does to keep it turning. I.E if your second torque was 70 and your goal was 90, it might take more than 90 to break the fastener loose from static torque to sliding torque.

Fair enough. The dexter manual calls for three stages of 20-25, 50-60, 90-120 ft-lbs for 14, 15 and 16 inch steels wheels.
rbpru
Explorer II
May 03, 2016
I do not know what the tire shop set the torque of their air guns at but it was more than the 150 lbs I set my wrench too.

I torque to 90 lbs and check when get to my desination. I have never had it change after the third check.
joshuajim
Explorer II
May 02, 2016
The only comment I would have on the 3 step torquing is to be careful not to get the second torque value too close to the third. It takes considerably more torque to "break" the fastener loose than it does to keep it turning. I.E if your second torque was 70 and your goal was 90, it might take more than 90 to break the fastener loose from static torque to sliding torque.
dannytas
Explorer
May 02, 2016
bguy wrote:
The difference it makes makes no difference.

A Man of few words and a lot of substance...well said
bguy
Explorer
May 02, 2016
The difference it makes makes no difference.
rbpru
Explorer II
May 02, 2016
I have a Harbor Freight torque wrench and I use a six inch extension.

If the extension comes straight off the nut it makes no difference how long it is.

It is just transferring the torque from the wrench to the nut.
LarryJM
Explorer II
May 02, 2016
ol' yeller wrote:
A little known tip about storing a clicker type torque wrench is to be sure to release the tension to zero when putting the tool away.

Most decent torque wrenches have a "STOP" index where you are supposed to leave the wrench at for storage which does effectively what you are saying ... maybe not zero, but enough for proper long term storage.

Larry
ol__yeller
Explorer II
May 02, 2016
A little known tip about storing a clicker type torque wrench is to be sure to release the tension to zero when putting the tool away.
moresmoke
Explorer
May 02, 2016
smkettner wrote:
Extension has ZERO effect on torque with a hand wrench.
Impact gun will be different.

Correct, As long as you are not "bouncing" on the wrench, the extension will have zero effect. Push-click-hold, the extension does wind up, but the torque on both ends of the extension is the same. If the torque was different on either end of the extension, something would be moving.

Its not usually a problem on 100 ftlbs, but I have seen guys trying to torque 6-700 ftlb by hand and they like to put a jumping motion into pulling on the wrench. This will create erratic readings.

Forum Discussion

Torque Wrench Question

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Torque Wrench for WD Hitch nylock nuts

tire wrench

Torque Wrench Where to buy/rent

Newbie power question

Engine torque