torque wrench

[Random13]

hi all,

i read lots of article on saying tighten to specified torque etc.
all i can find is the wratched troque which can not be used in most places thus how do you guys know when to stop


i have a tendency to overtighten the nut/bolt and stripping the head out . i am sort of paranoid and put a lot of torque on nuts /bolt

any suggestion on what i should buy or how do you do it ?


also i usually apply grease or wd40 on nut/bolt so they come off easier in future, i guess this is no dangerous etc as it will just lubricate it and prevent rust

thanks

[Commuter_Tim]

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=272167&highlight=torque+wrench

I do not regret my purchase, however on speaking to people afterwards, it seems its not all as important as I figured it would be.

Also it would probably help someone a bit more knowledgeable to answer your questions if they know what it is you intend to torque
Wheel nut etc

again I would wait for someone more knowledgeable to answer but if you are greasing the wheel nut, I'm pretty sure thats a big faux pas

EDIT: I also got some good transferable advice here...

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=271453&highlight=
____________________
The above post is most likely nonsensical.

I ride a Bandit 600... badly.

[Islander]

The ratchet type of torque wrench clicks when the set torque is reached. Draper wrenches won't break the bank and work well.

You only use a torque wrench for final tightening never to undo or as a general socket driver. Always return the wrench to its minimum setting after use to take the tension off of the spring and maintain accuracy.

Finally, for releasing rusty or seized nuts, don't use WD40 - it's a water dispersant not a penetrating oil. Use plus gas or an oil that's specifically designed for the job.

[-Matt-]

Two i got recently, both quite cheap but both seem to work well and cover the vast majority of items on bikes and also cars if you work on your car at all.

13-110nm give or take
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cht204-38in-drive-reversible-torque-wre

80-240nm i think this one was, have to double check in store if you need to be specific
https://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/7004243.htm

Would recommend getting one of these too, useful for getting things undone when you've torqued them high
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15-BREAKER-KNUCKLE-FLEXI-EXTENSION-BAR-3-8-DRIVE-/321097367261?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item4ac2e4fedd

Both wrenches are easy to set the torque on, just remember as islander said to re-adjust them to lowest setting after use, and both give a clear click when the torque is reached so just slowly and steadily turn once its hand tight until you hear the click then release the pressure.

I was new to torqueing as well until i got these but wouldnt do a job without them now theyre worth every penny and over the years more than pay for themself.

Also i'm no expert as i only started working on my bike in the past couple of months, but i have been told by a few people [maybe incorrectly] some bolts shouldn't be lubricated which can include wd40/greases etc i think, as when you torque the bolt up the lubrication can make the torque inaccurate if the bolt was originally made to be 'dry' installed. Please let me know anyone if thats incorrect and i'll remove the comment but something a few people mentioned on other forums.

I was recommended by a few people to use Copaslip
https://www.molyslip.co.uk/anti_sieze_compounds/
Which is suitable for preventing seisure apparently and also good at high temps which is useful - again, have used it thus far without a problem, its a bit pricey at i think nearly 10 quid for a tube but it'll last ages if you use it properly.

Definately worth using the torque wrenches though for peace of mind as much as anything haven't had a single problem since using it for tightening/using the bike after working on it, before i was scared to touch the thing

Good luck

[Random13]

lots of useful posts thank you

the thing is i see that most books says the torque for allen style bolt or nut is this much etc

how can you tight them to spec when you can only use the torque wrench which needs socket
you can only do this for bigger bolt/nut not for anything as the haynes suggest
am i correct ?

[-Matt-]

You need something like this mate.

Allen keys
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CR-V-3-8-Drive-9-Piece-AF-Imperial-Hex-Allen-key-Socket-Bit-Set-/261198091539?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3cd09e9513

Star/Torx keys
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-8-Drive-Male-Torx-Bit-Socket-Holder-Set-T10-T15-T20-T25-T30-T40-T45-T50-T55-/380638291432?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item589fcf65e8

I should warn you with socket pieces, if you get the cheaper ones they will work fine but sometimes the 'point/tip' can come loose from the socket bit that attaches to the wrench. I found putting a very small dab of copaslip on the tip of the socket-point helped them come loose afterwards if you put the breaker bar i linked you to in the last post in the socket and give it a gentle wiggle - not enough to begin to loosen or tighten the bolt at all.

Also dont presume because you get a 'set' it covers EVERYTHING. For example i bought one of those 'lined up sets' i linked you to thinking that covered everything, but the bolt i needed to undo was 6.5mm, and that set had a 6mm and a 7mm. I almost buggered the head of the bolt i was trying to undo using the incorrect one, so if it doesnt seem to be very snug try and specifically search an extra piece thats 0. something between the 2 pieces that seem to 'fit'.

Also i'd recommend something like this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BERGEN-6pc-SOCKET-ADAPTOR-STEP-UP-DOWN-SET-1-4-3-8-1-2-3-4-DRIVE-/261213678421?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3cd18c6b55

Sooner or later one socket or piece or wrench isn't going to fit something you want to use and if you get a good variety of these adaptors you can inter-link them to get the right thing on the right wrench. Very useful

Final thing too if you're really planning to get into doing work on the bike i'd get something like this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-X-40-CELL-FULL-SIZE-SEED-TRAY-INSERTS-QUALITY-/160539269723?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Garden_Plants_Pots_Window_Boxes_CV&hash=item2560e2da5b
To keep the screws you take out organised - i used one of them and a paper copy that i wrote on to say what was from what to keep it organised - and keep it off the floor so you can't accidently kick it or you'll be in a world of s**t

I'm no expert by the way so i'm sure theres a lot better advice out there from other people but i had the same questions and problems a couple of months ago so hopefully thats all of some use to you at least, once you get used to using the right tools on the right parts it gets a lot easier, just take your time and don't be put off if its tricky at first

[Random13]

thanks again

really useful info and will start cracking on getting my torque wrench

i also like the idea of having a container to put all nuts/bolts in

[SpeakForYou]

I got my torque wrench from Halfords. Fully calibrated and has a warranty. Pricey though. Wouldn't use one for my sparks plugs!

As for bolts/nuts etc, WD40 will help to remove them if they are rusted on but applying copper grease before fitting will make them easier to remove in the future.

[cimbian]

[SpeakForYou]

[neil.]

Copper grease isn't a lube so no problems there.
____________________
CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[cimbian]

[Islander]

[Islander]

[Random13]

for instance i have to tighten the axle nut when adjusting the chain and there is no way to insert a socket on this nut considering the small space between the nut and exhuast , can i do it from other side ( head of the bolt) which in turn will tighten the nut or is that wrong ?

[IMG]https://i43.tinypic.com/27x4f10.jpg[/IMG]

[cimbian]

[Commuter_Tim]