ex-Chinese Dave
ClioSport Club Member
I'm thinking about buying a torque wrench that will cover most 172 DIY jobs, so obviously not for head bolts etc. What is out there that does the job but is well priced as it won't be used to often?
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Torque wrench recommendation?
- Thread starter ex-Chinese Dave
- Start date
Yarp
ClioSport Club Member
182 Turbo, E46 M3
Head bolts are only 20NM and then angled so you’d probably manage.
I’ve had one for years but it does 30NM to silly sausage NM but was utterly useless when I started the engine build.
As above, I got a little Teng one that does 5 to 25NM and it’s perfect for all the little engine bits. Not the most expensive of things and doesn’t need to be for how often it gets used either. Most the stuff on the engine is somewhere between 7 and 12NM so it’s just the job.
I’ve had one for years but it does 30NM to silly sausage NM but was utterly useless when I started the engine build.
As above, I got a little Teng one that does 5 to 25NM and it’s perfect for all the little engine bits. Not the most expensive of things and doesn’t need to be for how often it gets used either. Most the stuff on the engine is somewhere between 7 and 12NM so it’s just the job.
Clio 182
+1 for Teng
Flob
ClioSport Club Member
Budget?
You will likely need 2 torque wrenches to cover all jobs. Big boy for things like hub nuts, suspension bolts and some engine bits, and a smaller one to cover everything else.
Probably better to buy one with a job in mind as you will know what torque range you need. Norbar make good torque wrenches, Halfords are often good too. Then theres a whole range of Chinese digital ones, some of which are apparently very good.
You will likely need 2 torque wrenches to cover all jobs. Big boy for things like hub nuts, suspension bolts and some engine bits, and a smaller one to cover everything else.
Probably better to buy one with a job in mind as you will know what torque range you need. Norbar make good torque wrenches, Halfords are often good too. Then theres a whole range of Chinese digital ones, some of which are apparently very good.
Mr Trailer Man
ClioSport Club Member
I got by with a Clarke special from Machine Mart for years.
28Nm-210Nm I believe it was.
I still use their 5-25Nm wrench actually.
28Nm-210Nm I believe it was.
I still use their 5-25Nm wrench actually.
Yarp
ClioSport Club Member
182 Turbo, E46 M3
My big one is a Halfords one and it's been decent. It's the older style with the rotating numbers so dead easy to work out what it's set to compared to the newer ones that have the spring thing in the handle. The prices on the newer ones are crazy compered to what they used to be too. I'm sure my old one was about 50 quid and now the cheapest ones are still around £100 even on shady trady.
You're right with needing 2 though. A one big enough for the high torque stuff won't do any of the engine bits and the ones that go low enough for smaller bolts will fall short on the high torque bits.
ex-Chinese Dave
ClioSport Club Member
Thanks for the replies.
I can do jobs like bodywork, seats, brakes and some suspension parts (hate springs!) so i'll have a look for some info on what the range of torque settings are for those kind of jobs and buy one that covers them as much as possible with one wrench.
I can do jobs like bodywork, seats, brakes and some suspension parts (hate springs!) so i'll have a look for some info on what the range of torque settings are for those kind of jobs and buy one that covers them as much as possible with one wrench.
ex-Chinese Dave
ClioSport Club Member
Would you buy second-hand or not?
Mr Trailer Man
ClioSport Club Member
Probably not considering the Clarke ones I mentioned are like £30-45 new and will be perfectly adequate for what you need.
Yarp
ClioSport Club Member
182 Turbo, E46 M3
For the price of a new one from Teng or similar I probably wouldn't bother unless the cost saving is huge and it's a really decent one.
They are easy enough to calibrate/check though. Stick it on an uber tight bolt and dangle a 5kg weight at 41cm from the pivot to check 20NM. 40NM with a 10kg weight at same spot and so on.
You've got more scope for error on bigger bolts. 2NM out on a 120NM bolt isn't a piss in the wind. 2NM out on a 7NM bolt is a canny bit.
ex-Chinese Dave
ClioSport Club Member
Agree...just comparing prices and why not get new?
Mr Trailer Man
ClioSport Club Member
Exactly.
If we were talking a Snap-on digital 1/2" then yeah I'd definitely look at second hand 😅
ex-Chinese Dave
ClioSport Club Member
These two would probably cover everything...
www.machinemart.co.uk
Clarke CHT204 - 3/8" Drive Reversible Torque Wrench - Machine Mart
www.machinemart.co.uk
Mr Trailer Man
ClioSport Club Member
These two would probably cover everything...
Clarke CHT204 - 3/8" Drive Reversible Torque Wrench - Machine Mart
Pretty much yeah.
MAXRUNDOWN
ClioSport Club Member
Another vote for norbar, I use them at work and have a set at home, these will cover everything you need to do and last a lifetime
Mr Trailer Man
ClioSport Club Member
Got some money yow!
Flob
ClioSport Club Member
Last edited:
Next door neighbor took it to work and calibrated it for me. 😝
Halfords, on Trade Club. Doubt youll find better cheaper.
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