Torque Wrench Suggestions

[bluebullet]

The only place, locally, I have ever seen break out a TQ wrench is Discount Tire. I stared in awe the first time I went thee lol.

Torque wrenches used at all Coscto Tire Centers.

 

[MileHiM5]

The Snap-On is crazy money. But if you have many years of wrenching ahead of you (I.e., you’re not an old guy), I would highly recommend putting a search notification on eBay for the torque wrench you want, wait for one that saves you a hundred bucks or so (they can be had) and buy that. You’ll never regret it, and it will put hundreds of smiles on your face in the years to come!

 

[jcdeng]

I heard there are fake snap-on tools out there, how to know if the ebay ones are not knock offs?

 

[MileHiM5]

I heard there are fake snap-on tools out there, how to know if the ebay ones are not knock offs?

I would make sure the vendor has a great rating with plenty (thousands) of transactions-

 

[EOD Guy]

Looking for recommendations on a torque wrench for swapping out the wheels. I've got a mounted and balanced set of Method 703's and Toyo AT3's on the way and no dedicated tire shop within a 2 hours drive. Figured I could handle the swap with an extra pair of hands. It's been about 20 years since I've had a car that I built out, and the same goes for tools. When I was younger, I simply walked into Lowes and grabbed a click style torque wrench off the shelf and didn't give things like accuracy and tolerance much thought. Set it and forget it.

I'm leaning towards this 1/2" Gearwrench 30-250 ftlbs click style wrench. The stated accuracy is +/- 3% and its seems to deliver that based on Youtube testing. And it seems like it will fit in the factory tool kit compartment to keep in the car incase I need to use the spare.

Is +/-3% accuracy sufficient? Or is it important to have something more accurate?

Only reason I'm giving it a second thought, is if the lugs are not all tightened evenly (say 94lbs for some and 100lbs for others) will that cause or add to wheel vibration?

May opt to take it to a shop or the dealer to do the swap if they're likely to use a more precise torque wrench. Figured I'd be more thoughtful and not just toss the hub rings or use an impact gun to remove and tighten the lugs. I've used a local mobile tire repair shop before (no dedicated/national chain tire shops within 2 hours drive), and I doubt they're using a $600 Snap-on torque wrench or even bothered to check what the manufacturer suggested torque specs were (not to mention that they managed to chip up the paint on the rims pretty badly).

I wasn't going to reply to this.............. IMO if you are torquing lug nuts, skid plate bolts and oil drain plugs, just a bout any T-wrench will serve your purpose. If you are doing engine rebuilds, pump rebuilds etc...... then I would recommend a higher accuracy T-wrench.

My logic...... Torque wrenches should be calibrated periodically and anytime they are dropped. I don't know of a single Oil change shop, tire shop or accessory install shop that sends their T-wrenches out for calibration every time they are dropped/mishandled. So what's the difference if you're using an uncalibrated T-wrench or them.

I have a set of T-wrenches that stay in the case and tucked in my tool box and only come out when I am working on engines or other close tolerance items ............. the other collection of T-wrenches are for everyday tasks...... mainly aluminum wheels.

 

[surfishjoe]

I use a cheap harbor freight. I always say I want to replace it with a better one- I have had it for about 5 years. Look at the YouTube comparison videos.

 

[24LC]

The Harbor Freight Icon 1/2” drive is amazingly good. I picked one up on the road. It’s a good copy of a Snap-on which I own as well, and way more reasonably priced. It’s also certified for left hand torque, which is fairly rare. Item 64064 $139.99

I'll echo this. Have had the icon for a few years now and its great. Had it calibrated last year and tech was impressed too.

 

[MSINAL]

The only place, locally, I have ever seen break out a TQ wrench is Discount Tire. I stared in awe the first time I went there lol.

Costco uses them too but im sticking with discount tire for future installs, great outfit.