Re: Torque Question

["Brant M. Miller" <brant@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Blake -

The short answer is: use a torque wrench.  There are two basic types of
torque wrench: the beam type and the "click" type.  Beam wrenches use the=

bending of the wrench handle during application of torque to cause a scal=
e
graduated in torque (generally, lb-ft) to move under a needle that is fix=
ed
with respect to the socket.  Click wrenches require the desired amount of=

torque to be set prior to applying torque with the wrench and "click"
(actually, they sort-of yield forward) with the set torque is achieved. =

There was a long discussion of torque wrenches on the Digest a while back=
.
An important question is: how do you know that the scale on the wrench is=

accurate?  I use a Snap-on QT-series wrench and answer the important
question with blind faith.

Re the consequence of error, if the error is small, the consequence is
slight.  Otherwise, undertorquing can result in fastener back-off and
resultant loss of system integrity, overtorquing can result in stripped
threads, and erratic torquing can result in warped parts.

Brant

>Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1998 00:35:05 EST
From: EASRBS@domain.elided
Subject: Torque Question

Hello, I am new to the digest and to the world of weekend mechanics.  I a=
m
planning to start doing some work on my 525i and in the Bentley's, it
refers
to tightening torques.  I know this is probably a basic question, but if
someone could please explain how I can figure out what torque I am puttin=
g
on
the bolts, that would be very helpful.  How important is it to be exact,
what
will happen if I am not, etc.  Do I need a special tool or is my handy
ratchet
and wrench set okay?  Thanks in advance

Blake<

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