How important are torque specs?

[kdryan]

When installing parts, how important is it to use proper torque specs? I've done calipers, pads, bearings, inner/outer tie rods, and the Pitman arm on my truck, but I don't own a torque wrench, so I either tightened them as tight as possible or where it seemed logical, just snug enough to hold the part firmly. Tomorrow I begin on the ball joints. Will I be ok or should I go through the trouble of getting a torque wrench and going back in and redoing everything?

Thanks!

 

[1SilverBullet2]

Yes torque specs are important. Not being a ****, but if I were you I'd buy a decent torque wrench, one like from 5-75 or 50-200 ft lbs. if you can afford I'd do both.

 

[OutLore]

As said - it's important. Sometimes the correct torque is required to ensure parts are seated together correctly, not enough torque might allow them to wear prematurely, and too much torque might stretch or break something.

You'll have people say that you need to spend $100s on a Snap-On or Mac Torque wrench, and if you have the resources then go for it - the lifetime warranty means you'll basically be buying the tool for the rest of your life.

Hunt around and you can find them made by the companies that make them for the truck tool suppliers - CDI, Precision Insturments are 2 that spring to mind.

Or you could get a cheaper one from Harbor Freight - it will probably be pretty accurate to start but will almost certainly lose accuracy over time (they all do) and may not be worth calibrating - cheaper just to buy a new one!

But definitely get one or borrow one if you can.

 

[MADDOG]

^^^ This ^^^

Improper torque can break parts, or they can loosen and fail on you.

Consider that too much torque on a lugnut can warp a rotor pretty quickly. Too little torque and the wheel starts to wobble.

Get a torque wrench. They don't cost that much. Your potential risk of failure could cost a LOT more.

 

[dapepper9]

Completely agree that proper tq is important.

At the same time I'm not saying i haven't "simulated" tq before lol. For example when i replaced a tie rod a year or two ago...i tq'd the nut to tight af lol. I'm by no means justifying no tq wrench and and just making it tight, but if you're gonna do it, use good judgement. Lug nuts for example...proper tq, you don't wanna shear em...radiator mount bolt though, fahk it lol.

 

[CC12RamLove]

Just go to Harbor freight and get one the gets the range you need. I work in an industy where we are required to get them calibrated every year. After many calls to just about all of the manufactures of torque wrenches HF sells, i learned that they are all certified to click at the set value for 6 months to one year. If you are concerned, you can buy a new one every year and be covered for an annual purchase price. To maintain the quality of any brand or grade of torque wrench make sure you store it at its lowest value or just below so the internals are not worn out.

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[mitchbowers]

As said - it's important. Sometimes the correct torque is required to ensure parts are seated together correctly, not enough torque might allow them to wear prematurely, and too much torque might stretch or break something.

You'll have people say that you need to spend $100s on a Snap-On or Mac Torque wrench, and if you have the resources then go for it - the lifetime warranty means you'll basically be buying the tool for the rest of your life.

Hunt around and you can find them made by the companies that make them for the truck tool suppliers - CDI, Precision Insturments are 2 that spring to mind.

Or you could get a cheaper one from Harbor Freight - it will probably be pretty accurate to start but will almost certainly lose accuracy over time (they all do) and may not be worth calibrating - cheaper just to buy a new one!

But definitely get one or borrow one if you can.

Precision is what we use in our tire shop. Works great.

Just go to Harbor freight and get one the gets the range you need. I work in an industy where we are required to get them calibrated every year. After many calls to just about all of the manufactures of torque wrenches HF sells, i learned that they are all certified to click at the set value for 6 months to one year. If you are concerned, you can buy a new one every year and be covered for an annual purchase price. To maintain the quality of any brand or grade of torque wrench make sure you store it at its lowest value or just below so the internals are not worn out.

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Can't stress the maintenance enough. Keep them in their case and stored at the lowest setting always when not in use.

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[Ramunit]

0-25 ft lbs is a light grunt, 25-50 two louder grunts, 50-75 grunt followed by a fart. 75-100 long fart followed by a short burp.

 

[ADudeOnSkis]

0-25 ft lbs is a light grunt, 25-50 two louder grunts, 50-75 grunt followed by a fart. 75-100 long fart followed by a short burp.

Anything over 100ftlbs is usually accompanied by a shart.

 

[BlackMagnum2000]

Torque wrenches aren't too hard to come by. If you get a cheap one, make sure if you're working on something left hand thread, that the torque wrench works both directions (if it's a click type).

As for how important they are.. well...
They're very important. But so is time.. lol. I'll get flamed from my friends on this. But I often use an impact or don't torque to spec on parts. You'll get the same from most shops as well. Some parts I do make sure to torque to spec however. The more important ones of course. But I'm not going to look up and set up and use my torque wrench on something like my diff cover bolts or the bolts to hold on my fender or something, I'm not going to bother. Something like the bolts that attach my hitch to the frame, I run down with an impact (for the record that's almost impossible otherwise..). But yeah like something like ring gear bolts or flywheel bolts and intake mani bolts and ****, I'd definitely suggest torquing to spec.

 

[tommyboi87]

As far as the suspension parts, I looked up specs on every I replaced. Especially parts containing a ball joint, and bearings.

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