What Size Torque Wrench Do I Need?

[PDXWesty]

I need to buy a torque wrench and I was wondering what range do most of the bolts on a Vanagon fall into. There are a lot of choices and price ranges. 10-75 ft-lbs, 5-80, 20-150, 25-250, etc. 1/2" or 3/8 drive. I probably will never do an engine tear down, but I will do most everything else. I'd like to stay within $125.

What size wrench have people found most useful? What's the highest torque bolt I'll need to tighten?

Thanks!
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89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[WestyLuna]

I searched for this last week. Check out this previous post:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3...uts+torque

It says you'll need something that goes up to 150 Ft/lb as lug nuts should be torqued to 133.
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86 Westy AT (Luna)

[Wildthings]

I have heard several complaint of 1/2 drive torque wenches breaking if used much at over 150 ft*lbs. That pretty much negates buying anything that would read higher. For your rear axle nut just standing on your breaker bar is accurate enough.

I own a 150 ft*lb clicker and a 3/8 beam and somewhere buried were I can no longer find it is a 1/4 beam which I miss.

[reluctantartist]

In my experience you really need two....the large one 20 -150 ft/lbs and an inch/lbs one for the more delicate torque settings under 20 ft/lbs. It is nice to know that you are getting something in aluminum tight enough without stripping the bolt.
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1982 Westy, 1974 412 Variant... Yes, Aircooled's are great! Oh and I do have modern computer controlled vehicles too, but I just don't care about them.

[msinabottle]

This device works pretty well for minute adjustments in inch-pounds, up to 65 inch-lbs:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=718023

The price is good. You can get a 1/4 to 3/8" adapter to use it with a conventional socket set. I bought this mostly for Winston's windshield washer screws, and... Er... more explosive uses.



Best!
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'Winston,' '84 1.9 WBX Westy
Vanagon Poet Laureate: "I have suffered in
many ways, but never, never, never in silence."