Morning/Evening folks. 

 

I've decided I'd like to try doing some of the oil changes on the car myself as it'll save me a few quid a year (plus I know exactly which oil is going in).

 

I've looked at the pela pumps, but decided jacking up and doing it the old way is best.

 

Because of this I'd like to get a torque wrench to make sure I don't over-tighten sump bolts. My understanding is that they're single use anyway.

 

• Any recommendations?
• How easy/costly is it to calibrate a torque wrench?
• Would a digital torque adapater be better if I have access to a set of standard wrenches?
• Does the digital one need calibration too?

I appreciate I'll need to get one of the fuel filter caps as well (diesel).

From my understanding a torque wrench should be calibrated every 12/24 months (depending on the quality of course) - same goes for the digital versions. If you are planning to use a torque wrench for all jobs on your car, then you will need 3 sizes ideally - 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive, as one size doesn't usually cover all ranges (my brother has got a 1" drive torque wrench that is about 4 feet long with a rating of 1200 ft/lb for tightening domestic wind turbine bases!). Check the torque settings on what you will be using it for, and get one of the appropriate size. For general work, such as sump plugs etc, you will probably need one that goes as low as 10/15 ft/lb, which is suspect you may be able to get as a 3/8" drive, cylinder heads and wheels will probably require 1/2" drive.

If only used occasionally, looked after, not thrown around the toolbox/shed/drive/garden etc then one used at home shouldn't need calibrating that often, ones used in workshops regularly should be done every 12 months - cost wise, it's quite cheap as far as i know.

As its only 30 Nm a torque wrench for the sump won't be massively expensive. A decent 3/8 drive one will be useful for a lot of things on the car. I can highly recommend the Motorq range from SP (and any of their clones, Beta and Halfords) a nice clear display in both Nm and lbft and a great adjustment and lock.

Edited 28 July, 20169 yr by Tech1e

As its only 30 Nm a torque wrench for the sump won't be massively expensive. A decent 3/8 drive one will be useful for a lot of things on the car. I can highly recommend the Motorq range from SP (and any of their clones, Beta and Halfords) a nice clear display in both Nm and lbft and a great adjustment and lock.

 

I have the 3/8 drive and 1/2 drive from Halfords (the smaller rated of the 2 1/2" drives) and they cover most things on the car and are very good quality.

 

If you look after it and always wind it back to zero after you have used it I see no real need to have it calibrated very often if at all for home use.

 

However if the sole reason your buying one is for the sump plug I wouldn't bother, just tighten it up with a ring spanner so its tight but don't ******* it up, in my experience they are very forgiving and with the restricted access while on your back on the driveway you would really have to swing on it to strip the threads.

I have Draper 1/2" and 3/8" torque wrenches. Big one is good for wheel nuts, hub nuts, suspension etc. and the smaller one for spark plugs.

 

As above - for a sump plug only I don't think it's worth it and for home DIY use I wouldn't worry too much about calibration. I've seen plenty of garages not using torque wrenches when they should be and although their torque wrenches might be calibrated every so often it doesn't rule out one becoming damaged, faulty or inaccurate between calibrations.

Thanks for the advice all, I'll likely get myself a small one as I'm afraid of stripping the sump threads!

The rest of the stuff I can live with

Quick update,

 

I've settled on a Draper 3004A. 10Nm - 80Nm so should give me a good range of torque for the smaller jobs.

 

Thanks again everyone