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bensolo Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2017 Posts: 9 Location: The Outer Banks
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2025 2:12 pm Post subject: Bad torque multiplier tool |
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I purchased a Torquemeister look-alike from Amazon. The drive gear does not engage the flywheel enough to do the job. Can anyone recommend a retailer that sells a good one. They all look the same in the ads. |
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Glenn  Mr. 010

Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 79443 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2025 2:16 pm Post subject: Re: Bad torque multiplier tool |
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I would say they are all generic and the only name brand would be EMPI.
I have no personal experience with any of them.
FYI, the EMPI one is $150 and the cheaper ones are $95, so maybe the EMPI one is better made??? _________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare
עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי |
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BFB Samba Member

Joined: November 03, 2014 Posts: 2642
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2025 3:44 pm Post subject: Re: Bad torque multiplier tool |
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Glenn wrote: |
...
FYI, the EMPI one is $150 and the cheaper ones are $95, so maybe the EMPI one is better made??? |
well isn't that just sad!? _________________ "how am i supposed to torque the rear wheel nut to 250 ft lbs??? " - clonebug
An interesting thing happens in forums where everyone starts parroting the same thing and "common knowledge" takes over.
Most experts aren't. |
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Root_Werks Samba Member
Joined: December 31, 2007 Posts: 1053 Location: San Juan Islands
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2025 3:55 pm Post subject: Re: Bad torque multiplier tool |
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Bought the EMPI one years back and it's fine. Overbuilt and heavy, gears line up fine.
-Dan _________________ When I set my timing, why do I flush, then take a pee? |
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58 Plastic Tub Samba Member

Joined: September 03, 2007 Posts: 481 Location: Nowhere, USA
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2025 4:16 pm Post subject: Re: Bad torque multiplier tool |
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bensolo wrote: |
I purchased a Torquemeister look-alike from Amazon. The drive gear does not engage the flywheel enough to do the job. Can anyone recommend a retailer that sells a good one. They all look the same in the ads. |
It must have been a bad day in the east Asian mud hut they all come out of.
Either that, or somebody is buying EMPI seconds. Think about that for a moment... _________________ Stan Galat
"A single point in isolation is a reference point. Two points is a line. Three points is a trend. Trends don't lie." |
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67rustavenger Samba Member

Joined: February 24, 2015 Posts: 11038 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2025 4:27 pm Post subject: Re: Bad torque multiplier tool |
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OP, the drive gear (the little one) is reversible on the TorqueMeister tool.
Pull the clevis pin and switch the gear to the opposite side of the tool and try it again.
You have to swap it around when you use it for removing axle nuts versus flywheel gland nuts. _________________ I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!
There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!
2003 Astrovan? GFYS again, Xevin!
Don't let your bad ideas remain, ideas! |
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bensolo Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2017 Posts: 9 Location: The Outer Banks
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2025 4:59 pm Post subject: Re: Bad torque multiplier tool |
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67rustavenger wrote: |
OP, the drive gear (the little one) is reversible on the TorqueMeister tool.
Pull the clevis pin and switch the gear to the opposite side of the tool and try it again.
You have to swap it around when you use it for removing axle nuts versus flywheel gland nuts. |
I have used one before and am familiar with it’s operation. Switching gears around or flipping the tool won’t help. The drive gears are not the right pitch to engage the flywheel. The gear also barely touches the flywheel. Standard flywheel. 36mm nut. I already returned it. |
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mikedjames Samba Member

Joined: July 02, 2012 Posts: 3309 Location: Hamble, Hampshire, UK
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2025 11:42 pm Post subject: Re: Bad torque multiplier tool |
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The genuine full kit comes with both two drive gears a 6 volt and a 12 volt pitch drive gear for the two different starter rings..
Probably just the usual Amazon junk dealers. _________________ Ancient vehicles and vessels
1974 VW T2 : Devon Eurovette camper with 1641 DP T1 engine, Progressive carb, full flow oil cooler, EDIS crank timed ignition.
Engine 1: 40k miles (rocker shaft clip fell off), Engine 2: 30k miles (rebuild, dropped valve). Engine 3: a JK Preservation Parts "new" engine, aluminium case: 26k miles: new top end.
Gearbox rebuild 2021 by Bears.
1979 Westerly GK24 24 foot racer/cruiser yacht Forethought of Gosport.
1973 wooden Pacer sailing dinghy |
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bensolo Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2017 Posts: 9 Location: The Outer Banks
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Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 3:09 pm Post subject: Re: Bad torque multiplier tool |
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I purchased the Empi branded tool. It comes in the same box and same packaging as the Amazon tool. Obviously it’s also made in China. The fit was marginally better, but there was very little gear tooth engagement and the tool would slip when pressure was applied. I was able to make it work by angling the tool slightly to get better gear engagement. I guess that counts as a win. I just expected better fit and finish for 50% more money. |
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Glenn  Mr. 010

Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 79443 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 3:10 pm Post subject: Re: Bad torque multiplier tool |
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Sorry, but most aftermarket parts/tools are crap. _________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare
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2002sportside Samba Member

Joined: January 27, 2004 Posts: 1496 Location: New England
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Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 3:42 pm Post subject: Re: Bad torque multiplier tool |
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I bought the cheaper one from CIP and didn't have any issues with it on the gland nut or brake drums. _________________ 1973 Volkswagen Beetle never ending project |
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Glenn  Mr. 010

Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 79443 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2025 3:59 pm Post subject: Re: Bad torque multiplier tool |
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Mine was home made 30 years ago and never failed. I bet I used it over 200 times.
_________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare
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calvinater Samba Member

Joined: September 06, 2014 Posts: 3566 Location: 802 The Pointless Forrest
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Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2025 10:24 am Post subject: Re: Bad torque multiplier tool |
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So Glenn, that works on flywheel, what do use on rear drums? _________________ "Albatross"! |
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Glenn  Mr. 010

Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 79443 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2025 1:08 pm Post subject: Re: Bad torque multiplier tool |
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calvinater wrote: |
So Glenn, that works on flywheel, what do use on rear drums? |
I have a 3/4" beam torque wrench. _________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare
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Who.Me? Samba Member

Joined: July 14, 2014 Posts: 2513 Location: UK (South)
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Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2025 2:15 am Post subject: Re: Bad torque multiplier tool |
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I wonder whether the multipliers that I see advertised on ebay as Ford Ecoboost and Ecodiesel torque multiplier tools would work better for most users? E.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/387322862558?_skw=torqu...BM7tfDv8Rl
They're under £90 (just under US $120 at today's exchange rate), which is cheaper than the single-purpose 'Mr Torque'-type flywheel tool and I reckon it could be used for flywheels, hub nuts (and other useful tasks around the home )
Rationale: -
I got lucky several years ago and picked up a Sykes Pickavant Motorq torque mulitplier (TM) that was misdescribed on ebay, so I got it ridiculously cheap. It's an utter monster and OTT for my application, but it works brilliantly for accurately torquing flywheels and rear axle nuts. https://sykes-pickavant.com/products/80060000-a-mo...q-input-dr
My TM is the 'traditional' style, designed for multiple purposes. The head contains the multiplier gearbox. It comes with two different reaction arms that attach to the head. One is a straight, round reaction bar, the other an offset/angled reaction 'foot'.
For flywheels, I use the foot in combination with a piece of angle iron bolted across a couple of clutch bolts. It's basically the Muir approach, but the TM avoids having to use some dodgy scaffold pole to extend a breaker bar or torque wrench to gain the extra leverage. The reaction foot engages with the angle iron (pics below).
For hub nuts, I just use the straight reaction bar.
The Ford ecoboost/ecodiesel tool linked above appears to be a similar arrangement to the traditional TM that I have, but the casting of the head is extended. It effectively has the straight reaction arm built in to the head, which should work for hub nuts. The kit comes with a bolt-on arm that attaches at 90-degrees to the built-in arm, effectively creating a reaction 'foot'. That could be bolted to the angle-iron for flywheels, effectively achieving the same result as below.
I don't need another TM, so I'm not going to experiment on anyone's behalf, but it occurs to me that tool should work in just the same way as my traditional TM.
This is what my TM arrangement looks like for torquing a flywheel. Mine's a monster, s I have to support the head with blocks of wood or bricks. The ecoboost/ecodiesel tool looks lighter, but still gives a 5:1 advantage. I reckon it would be easier to use.
Ford tool...
_________________ Andy
Looking for info on my truck's history. Are you from Campbell California or nearby. Do you recognise it? ... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=636786 |
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nsracing Samba Member

Joined: November 16, 2003 Posts: 9743 Location: NOVA
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Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2025 12:41 pm Post subject: Re: Bad torque multiplier tool |
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TorqueMister was a bad idea -
There is nothing my 3/4" torque wrench cannot do. It is big enough for forklifts. |
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Dale M. Samba Member

Joined: April 12, 2006 Posts: 20803 Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite Valley
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Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2025 4:15 pm Post subject: Re: Bad torque multiplier tool |
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I have one like pictured in this web site, it is a 4:1 with a input range of up to 250 ft-lbs, and output of up to 1000 ft-lbs....
Works with whatever I have a socket to fit output (3/4 inch drive) to nut/bolt (flywheels, axle nuts, assorted things on micro ranch, gold mining equipment, etc.).....
What makes it nice if I want to go to say 300 ft-lbs on axle nut all I have to do it take torque wrench to 75 ft-lbs...
https://www.maxprocorp.com/blog/what-is-a-torque-multiplier-and-how-does-it-work/
When buying this sort of tool, I believe I would go more along the generic tool than with something adapted or designed along a specific design for a specific purpose, application as the EcoBoost... _________________ “Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns"
"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ... |
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Who.Me? Samba Member

Joined: July 14, 2014 Posts: 2513 Location: UK (South)
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Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 2:23 am Post subject: Re: Bad torque multiplier tool |
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Dale M. wrote: |
When buying this sort of tool, I believe I would go more along the generic tool than with something adapted or designed along a specific design for a specific purpose, application as the EcoBoost... |
The problem is the price of a traditional, generic TM versus the amount of times a hobbyist would use it.
The EcoBoost tool looks like it's basically a traditional TM, but for half or a third of the price (and slightly cheaper than the TorqueMeister which can only do one job).
It looks like it might be good value for a hobbyist. _________________ Andy
Looking for info on my truck's history. Are you from Campbell California or nearby. Do you recognise it? ... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=636786 |
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chrisflstf Samba Member

Joined: February 10, 2004 Posts: 4030 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2025 10:12 am Post subject: Re: Bad torque multiplier tool |
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The torque multipliers like dale listed are super nice, but super expensive. Like $500 to 1000.
Another simple alternative is a torque extender. Basically a bar, 2 feet long is good, with socket or adaptor in each end. Your 150 ft lb torque wrench attaches to it.
Here is a calculator
http://www.rv7.us/a_u-torquewrenchsetting.htm |
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bensolo Samba Member
Joined: September 22, 2017 Posts: 9 Location: The Outer Banks
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Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2025 4:00 pm Post subject: Re: Bad torque multiplier tool |
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The retailer was kind enough to warranty the defective tool. I had to provide proof of destruction. I sent a pic and received a refund.
….and then I welded the tool back together 1mm shorter. Obviously I am not a professional welder. It works fine now.
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