Read a Click Type Foot Pound Torque Wrench
When working on certain vehicles and machinery you may come across a bolt or nut that needs to be set to a torque specification. To do so you must use a torque wrench. But do you know how to read a click type foot pound torque wrench so that you can utilize it? Read this article to learn how.
Steps
- Select a click type torque wrench in either inch pound or foot pound readings. Most torque wrenches will have Newton Meter readings on them also.
- Determine what torque your bolt or nut is suppose to be set to and make sure it's in the range that your torque wrench can handle.
- Set the torque wrench by unlocking the dial on the handle and turn the handle until it lines up with the desired torque setting you're looking for. Then lock the handle before you begin torquing the nut or bolt.
- Tighten the bolt or nut until you hear the torque wrench click. Stop, do not over-torque the bolt or nut.
Tips
- Some applications require bringing the torque setting up in stages and or patterns. For example if you're torquing lug nuts with a maximum torque requirement of {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} pounds the manual may say to first torque all the lugs to {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} pounds in a star pattern and then go back and torque them all to {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} pounds in the same star pattern. When your torque wrench is not in use, keep it set at 25% of its maximum capacity. For example if your inch pound torque wrench has a maximum capacity of {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} pounds set the torque to read {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} pounds or less. If you leave the wrench set at a reading over 50% of its capacity for more than a few hours, set the wrench at its lowest setting for a few minutes before using it again.
