When you are dealing with assembling, manufacturing or servicing operations, a must have tool in your kit is a torque wrench. They are meant to apply a specified torque on the fasteners so that they don’t stretch or break due to over load nor come out loose due to under torquing. The applications of the torque wrench include fasteners of vehicles, ball joint studs, axle nuts, lug nuts, intake exhaust manifold fasteners, fly wheel bolts, crankshaft pulley bolts, cam shaft timing gear bolts and many more. Before you approach torque wrench suppliers, have a quick look at this.
Why Use A Torque Wrench…?
The twisting force on any object is termed as torque. Best results can be obtained only when you apply the desired torque level on the fasteners.
• These tools can enhance the performance of your vehicles. If the wheels of your vehicle are improperly torqued, there are good chances that it can result in a disaster. This problem magnifies in case of heavy vehicles. One has to understand that the over torquing is equally undesirable as under torquing.
• Applying excess torque on the fasteners can strip the lug nuts or wrap rotors. It also induces significant amount of strain on the lugs, which results in their breakage. Lugs come out loose when you under torque them. The result is that the wheels fall off..! The magnitude of the problem caused by this can be imaginable.
• The torque wrench enhances the abilities of the fasteners, thus resulting in increased quality and reliable safety of the application. Tightening the bolt to undesired levels can result in breakage of the fastener and thereby can also damage the application.
When you are using a torque wrench, you must calibrate it regularly. Failing to do so, the quality of the work performed might come down. There are many factors like the temperature changes, stresses induced and others which increase the need to calibrate the tool.
Types Of Torque Wrenches:
• Bending beam: If you don’t have the need to use a torque wrench very often, then prefer this type. When you apply the torque, the beam at the centre rotates, moving the pointer to move over a calibrated scale. Here, the amount of torque applied can be read directly. Beware of parallax error while using this device.
• Micrometer clicker: If you are dealing with large assemblies, prefer a clicker type of torque wrench. It eliminates the need to check the pointer for every single use. It generates a click sound which is loud enough to hear as the torque applied reaches desired levels. If you are using it parts like internal engine fasteners and suspension, make sure to calibrate them regularly.
• Dial gauges and digital electronic torque wrench: These devices are the most advanced and accurate than other types. The digital indicator displays the torque applied. Talking about the price of these wrenches, they are just too expensive..! However, they are the best choice when you are dealing with racing cars and NASCAR engines.