Comparison of the best torque wrench for cars
| Torque Wrench | Price | Torque Range | Other Features | |
| Best budget torque wrench | EPAuto 3/8-inch drive | $25 | 10 lb.-ft. to 80 lb.-ft. | Clicking-style torque wrench; includes c ... |
| Best clicking-style torque wrench | Lexivon 1/2-inch drive | $56 | 25 lb.-ft. to 250 lb.-ft. | Clicking-style torque wrench, high-contr ... |
| Best digital torque wrench | Gearwrench 1/2-inch drive | $172 | 20 lb.-ft. to 250 lb.-ft. | Digital; vibrating handle; accurate to w ... |
| Best beam-style torque wrench | Tooluxe 1/2-inch drive | $24 | 0 lb.-ft. to 150 lb.-ft. | Includes 3/8-inch adapter, bright-chrome ... |
| Torque Wrench | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Best digital torque wrench | Gearwrench 1/2-inch drive | $172 |
| Best beam-style torque wrench | Tooluxe 1/2-inch drive | $24 |
| Best overall torque wrench | Tekton 1/2-inch drive | $38 |
| Best digital torque adapter | ACDelco 1/2-inch drive | $60 |
How much does a good torque wrench cost?
You can find torque wrenches for as little as $30, but they won’t be as accurate or durable as ones that cost a bit more. Spending a bit more on a torque wrench will ensure that you get a tool that will last for years. Some torque wrenches can go for over $170, but you don’t have to spend that much.
What kind of torque wrench should I buy?
What kind of torque wrench should I buy? Ideally, buy at least one torque wrench falling in any of the range categories. Of course, pick torque wrenches you require in many of your daily tasks. Basic ones can cover spark plugs and other small jobs, while those belonging to the upper range class can be used for performance cars and trailer trucks.
What is the most accurate torque wrench?
Who makes the most accurate torque wrench?
- Tekton 24335 ½ Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench (Best overall)
- Tekton 24320 ¼” Drive Click Torque Wrench.
- Tekton 24330 3/8” Drive Click Torque Wrench.
- Venzo Bicycle Torque Wrench.
- Pittsburgh Pro Reversible Click Type Torque Wrench.
- Precision Instruments Torque Wrench.
What size torque wrench should I buy?
Torque Wrench Sizes 1/4″ Drive – This is for extremely small nuts and bolts and a suitable range for automotive work is 50 to 250 inch-pounds (which is equivalent to 4 to 21 foot-pounds). 3/8″ Drive – Most nuts and bolts on the majority of automobiles and light-trucks can be torqued to spec with this size. How do I know what torque wrench to buy?
What is the best torque wrench size for my car?
Most home mechanics will find that a torque wrench with a 1/2-inch drive and at least an 18-inch handle is the best choice for lug nuts, cylinder heads, suspension bushings, and other likely uses.
What is the most accurate torque wrench?
Digital wrenches are often the most accurate style of torque wrench. These typically have an LED screen that lets you set and display torque rating. As they are digital, this type of torque wrench requires batteries.
What is the most used torque wrench?
Click. Click-style torque wrenches are the most popular type of torque wrench. This style of wrench can be set to a specific torque level by twisting the base of the handle to match up with the desired setting on the handle. It's also affordable and accurate, though not as durable as a beam torque wrench.
What is the torque wrench range for cars?
30-150 ft.lbs.Torque Requirements for Common Automotive Fasteners Light duty automotive torque applications range from 30-150 ft. lbs. Most automotive repairs fall into this range. In other words, without a torque wrench in this range, you won't be able to complete the majority of automotive repairs.
How do I choose a torque wrench?
Choose a wrench with an accuracy of plus or minus 5%. Check the torque wrench calibration for the date and accuracy as per the manufacturer's settings. When a torque wrench is well-calibrated, it will have clear scale visibility. The longevity and accuracy of the torque wrench depend on how well it is stored.
Is digital torque wrench better?
Digital torque wrenches have a big advantage over other types of torque wrenches when it comes to their scale reliability because they have prominent displays that show the current torque reading.
What is a decent torque wrench?
Best Mechanical Torque Wrench. Tekton 24335 ½-Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench. Good accuracy and low price. Precision Instruments ½” Drive Split Beam Torque Wrench.
How long do torque wrenches last?
As per the official website of the International Organization of Standardization, ISO 6789 states that a torque wrench should be re-calibrated every 5000 uses or every 12 months.
How tight should car wheel nuts be with a torque wrench?
Under- or over-tightening wheel-attaching hardware can be damaging and dangerous.Hardware Bolt or Stud SizeTypical Torque Range in Ft/LbsMinimum Number of Turns of Hardware Engagement12 x 1.25 mm70 - 80814 x 1.5 mm85 - 907.514 x 1.25 mm85 - 9097/16 in.70 - 8093 more rows
What is good torque for a car?
Engines in mainstream cars and trucks typically generate 100 to 400 lb. -ft of torque. That torque is created by the pistons within an engine as they reciprocate up and down on the engine's crankshaft, causing it to rotate (or twist), continuously.
How do I find the torque specs for my car?
Where To Find The Correct Manufacturer Recommended Torque Specs. The torque specs for the axle nut (and other nuts and bolts) should be listed in the dealership/shop guide provided by the manufacturer. If you can't find that information, or if you don't have a guide, you can find the specs in the service manual.
What is torque?
Torque refers to the amount of twist on an object like a nut or bolt. In the United States, torque is measured in units of foot-pounds (foot-pounds...
What is a torque wrench?
A torque wrench is a wrench that delivers a pre-set amount of torque to a fastener, and tells the user when it’s reached that value. To do this, it...
What size torque wrench do I need?
Torque wrenches are primarily referred to by the socket drive size. Like ratchet wrenches, they come in 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch d...
How to you maintain a torque wrench?
On click-style wrenches, it’s important that, after using it, the torque setting be turned down to relive tension on the internal spring. The calib...
Do I need anything else?
Nearly all torque wrenches are ratchet handles, so you need a set of sockets to go with them. If the wrench has a 1/2-inch drive, you need 1/2-inch...
Why is it important to have a torque wrench?
Available in a range of sizes and types, torque wrenches enable you to tighten fasteners to a desired torque value, which is important, especially in fields like aviation.
Is it worth buying a torque wrench?
Buying a torque wrench is worthwhile if you do any serious automotive work. It's not enough just to disassemble a car's front suspension, swap out wheels or pull a cylinder head and then put everything back together correctly without any leftover parts. Each fastener must be tightened properly to do any of these jobs well, ...
Is a torque wrench sexy?
Torque wrenches... nope, they're not sexy, but they are super important. If you're planning on tackling automotive repairs, you'd be wise to have one of these in your toolbox. And the good news is, all versions are very affordable, easy to use and should be plenty accurate. It just boils down to personal preference. Do you want a simple one that's a bit more difficult to use, would you prefer a clicking-style torque wrench or are you all digital, all the time? Really, you can't go wrong with any of these tools, but you could certainly go wrong by not having one.
What is the most important component of a torque wrench?
The most important component in a torque wrench is pinpoint accuracy. There are several factors that determine the accuracy, but the most important one is pairing the right tool with the right job.
What is a CDI torque wrench?
The CDI wrench has a high-quality design, pinpoint accuracy, and garage-ready construction. While it is pricey, you may never have to buy another torque wrench for at least a decade, as it is designed for the toughest jobs in mind. The CDI torque wrench has a dual scale with calibrated dual direction.
Why is the Tekton 24335 so popular?
Its popularity is due to affordable pricing, innovative design, and accuracy. If you need heavy-duty torque, then you need to look elsewhere. But if you need a dependable wrench for basic jobs, the Tekton Wrench delivers. The 24335 emits a click that you can feel and hear when it reaches the preset value.
Can you tighten a bolt too much?
Tighten a bolt too much, and you run the risk of breaking it, while not tightening it enough may cause the bolt to come loose or fall out. That’s where a torque wrench comes into play, as it allows you to tighten a bolt with precision. Torque wrench operation is simple. You adjust a setting to determine when the wrench has applied ...
What is a torque wrench?
A torque wrench is an extremely important tightening tool that you definitely don’t want to skimp on – especially if you’re using it to tighten your car’s lug nuts or other nuts or bolts important to your vehicle’s operation .
What is the difference between torque wrenches?
Another major difference between torque wrenches is the torque value they are rated at. Some torque wrenches can tighten a nut or bolt all the way up to 300 lbs or more, whereas others are only rated up to 150 lbs or 250 lbs, for example. There are also different sizes, such 3/4″ and 1/2″.
How much does a Tekton wrench weigh?
Tekton says the wrench is 18.5 inches in length, 1.8 inches in width and 1.2 inches in height. Made of steel and featuring no plastic parts, the wrench weighs a modest 2.2 lbs and comes with a lifetime quality guarantee.
Why is torque important?
This is important to ensure you’re not over tightening something, which could cause damage. The same goes for under tightening, which could result in a disaster—like the lug nuts coming off your wheel hub. Proper torque is important for not just assembly, but safety and ultimately performance.
Do you need a torque wrench to tighten lug nuts?
For many parts, you can’t simply just turn the wrench until the bolt is tight, you need to ensure it’s tightened to factory specs. And even if you’re not working with the engine, a torque wrench is essential when it comes to properly tightening your wheel bolts or lug nuts.
What to consider when buying a torque wrench?
There are plenty of automotive torque wrenches in the U.S. market. The key factor to consider when buying a wrench is its accuracy. Even durability comes second. Make sure the instrument that you intend to buy is composed of durable metals. Also, it should be pre-calibrated so you could use it right out of the box.
What is torque wrench?
A torque wrench tool is a precise and small instrument with a torque measurement mechanism. Using such a tool, you will be able to tighten the fasteners to the required torque.
What is a ratchet system?
A ratchet system is used in modern torque wrenches. It enables the customer to hold the wrench on the fastener even though it has reached the end of its journey in the work area. Turning the wrench in the opposite direction of its planned movement is all that is needed.
How many inches is a foot pound wrench?
Since the inch-pound wrench doesn’t measure in foot-pounds, a quick conversion is needed. Since 1 foot equals 12 inches, e.g. 20 multiplied by 12 equals 240. Or you may use an online calculator and converter to figure out how to use a foot-pound wrench with inch-pound measurements.
Does a 1/2 inch torque wrench break a car?
TEKTON 1/2 Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench – the best for car’s safety! Yes, the manufacturer gives guarantees that this wrench doesn’t break your car’s vital parts. First and foremost, it has one of the best calibration levels for factory-made torque wrenches – stable +/- 4%. Check Price.
Can you guess the torque of a torque wrench?
Thanks to professional automotive torque wrenches, you won’t have to guess the torque of any fastener anymore. If you pick high-quality tools then you will be safe from applying too much force and such results as under or over-tightening. This review focuses on the most popular U.S. automotive torque wrenches.
Is it better to save money on a torque wrench?
It is better NOT to save money on such an essential instrument as a torque wrench. Because cheap torque wrenches are usually not quite accurate and may lead to serious damages to your car’s fasteners. However, some reputable brands produced a few affordable torque wrenches with premium quality.
Why use a torque wrench?
The use of the torque wrench for automotive wrench allows restoring the correct coupling between components of high importance. At the same time, to preserve the most delicate threads, such as those obtained on parts subject to thermal expansion. Let's see the details features of 5 torque wrench for automotive.
What is a torque wrench used for?
It is used to make sure the nut and bolt are tightened correctly in automotive engines and industrial applications aviation.
Here are some of the best and most affordable torque wrenches for automotive use
With decades of combined experience covering the latest news, reviewing the greatest gear, and advising you on your next car purchase, The Drive is the leading authority on all things automotive.
Why Buy a Torque Wrench
Get accurate measurements. Since many automotive parts require a proper level of torque to be safe and secure, a torque wrench offers a precise way to get the right torque specs the first time. This makes it easy to hit the manufacturer recommended levels each and every time. This is especially important for different parts like lug nuts.
Types of Torque Wrenches
Click-type torque wrenches are the most popular type of torque wrench. They use a clicking mechanism to indicate that the correct amount of torque has been applied. More or less torque can be applied within a specified range, with gauges indicating force expressed in inch-pounds, foot-pounds, or Newton meters.
Top Brands
Based in Grand Rapids, Mich., Tekton produces a wide range of hand tools that are popular on construction sites and in garages alike. The company focuses on producing higher-quality products than most budget-friendly options offer. As a result, options like its Tekton 24320 wrench have been known to last much longer than competitors.
Torque Wrench Pricing
Under $50: This is the price range of more limited torque wrenches in terms of performance and durability. Options here are good for basic fastening tasks, but many will be limited for automotive parts that require a high degree of torque. Most wrenches here are on par with basic hardware store varieties.
Key Features
Nuts and bolts used in automotive work come in all shapes and sizes. Each of them requires a different torque range, expressed in pound-feet or inch-pounds.
Other Considerations
Accuracy. In order to get the best results, a torque wrench needs to be as accurate as possible. Accuracy partly depends on the calibration and precision of the instrument itself. For example, the beam needs to be aligned correctly on a beam torque wrench. Accuracy also depends on the readout of the wrench.
What is torque wrench?
The main purpose of a torque wrench is to tighten a bolt with a certain torque setting. You simply cannot do this with a normal wrench and most of the time it is a guessing game that results in either an over or under-torque of the component.
What are the different types of torque wrenches?
Different types of torque wrenches manage different amounts of torque. There are two main types of torque wrenches used in automotive repair: manual and pneumatic wrenches. Within these, there are some subcategories.
What happens if you use the wrong torque?
When you have a tool that uses the wrong amount of torque, you run the risk of damaging or breaking the bolted joints which can be a safety hazard if you are working with the brakes or suspension.
