Torque wrench recommendation for DIY on Mk5

[An7on]

Hi Guys,

I'm thinking of doing some DIY suspension and brake work on my Mk5. Sways and new rotors mainly (to start).
So I thought this would be a good excuse to get a torque wrench for the tool box.

Looking around for a torque wrench seemed straight forward, but the different ranges of adjustment get me confused.
I've been looking at 4 with different ranges.
3/8" wrenches range from 20-110nm and 5-29nm
1/2" wrenches range from 42-210nm and 50-340nm

Some wise words of experience required to point me in the right direction for the best all 'rounder.

Thanks!

[The_Hawk]

Torque ranges I can't help you on, but for my money I'm aiming for a 1/2" drive over 3/8".

[Lucas_R]

Torque wrench recommendation for DIY on Mk5

20-110 and 42-210nm will be plenty enough range. My 1/2" torque wrench goes from 20-110nm and i havent come across any bolt that needs to be tighter than 110nm, in fact i think the tightest ive done is around 80-90nm. I just got my torque wrench off ebay (about $50).

A 3/8" will work with your average socket set, but the wrench might not be long enough to get alot of leverage on it. The 1/2" ones are generally quite a bit longer, but you will need to buy some 1/2" sockets to use...or at least a 1/2" to 3/8" adapter.

5-29nm isnt enough to be any use, and 50-340nm isnt low enough for some things and then waaay too high for any car stuff.

[Idle]

Depends on your socket set, of course, but if it's 1/2" drive the 42-240nm one will cover anything you're likely to encounter — just get yourself a good quality one (there's some awful garbage out there...)

[jets]

5-29nm isnt enough to be any use.

It is if you do any cambelt replacement.
I have 4 torque wrenches, 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2x2, all W&B dual signal. The correct range of the torque wrench should be where the range is either side of the fastener torque required. For example you shouldn't use a 20 to 110 range for a 20 Nm fastener.
Sometimes that torque wrench won't physically fit in the area you are working. e.g. again cambelt change.

[h100vw]

Come and borrow mine mate, Snap On and tested on Qantas's rig so known to be accurate. Got 3/8th and 1/2 inch

[An7on]

Gav to the rescue...thanks mate.

[gazzmo]

In reality you need 2 torque wrenches, and as jets said most wrenches are not accurate at the end of their ranges, look for a wrench that has a certified accuracy they come with not surprisingly a certificate.

[h100vw]

For a long time in aviation Calibration of Torque wrenches has gone away from cal certs. The number on the handle is used to get you close and the torque is checked on the torque tester prior to doing the job.

Obviously the tester then gets checked annually or whatever.

I look at mine once in a while and do top bottom and mid range checks. Both are within what I'd call acceptable for vehicle use. Given how the scale on the handles is.

Gavin

[brad]

Agree with H100vw.

Cal certs are only an indication of the accuracy of the TW on the day it was tested. Doesn't matter that much on most parts a car anyway.

[An7on]

Judging from most major brands, 2% to 4% accuracy seems to be the norm.
Snap-on offer both 2% and 4%
Kincrome are all 4%
KC Tools have no accuracy specs
Sidchrome (all digital) are 2%

I don't think aviation grade tolerance is is required...but it would be nice to het something that is as accurate as possible.

[greg32]

I have 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 inch kinchromes. some spots are shocking to get to, thus the need for a small one, the single use bolt in the centre of the axle is another tough one to undo and set. I also have another device that measures rotational torque to set diffs and wheel bearings. They all have their place. If you want to start, I would say a 3/8 for the VWs as most things are to a fairly light setting, then another 90 degrees. Some bolts have their own Loctite compound from VW so go by the recommendations for a long life. If you are doing plugs, put on some silver paste to stop them binding into the head as you have dissimilar metals wanting to corrode.

[brad]

Judging from most major brands, 2% to 4% accuracy seems to be the norm.
Snap-on offer both 2% and 4%
Kincrome are all 4%
KC Tools have no accuracy specs
Sidchrome (all digital) are 2%

I don't think aviation grade tolerance is is required...but it would be nice to het something that is as accurate as possible.

I don't believe you have an understanding of the difference between tolerance, accuracy, fitness for purpose & calibration.

AFAIK, there's no such thing as aviation grade tolerance in a tool itself (I'm probably wrong)

The cal cert is pretty well useless straight away as it's only a record of the accuracy of the tool on the day it was calibrated. It could be stuffed the next day.

For the record I have a WB torque wrench I was given in 1979. I did a check cal in 2005 & it was 5nm out at 100nm. It's the bendy bar with clicker type. It probably gets used 5 times a year.

[Transporter]

It all depends how you treat your torque wrench.
Isn't it that after the calibration the tool should retain reasonable accuracy till the next calibration.

As well as the torque wrenches, I have an electronic torque adaptor that came with the steel cube with the 1/2" dr. whole in it, which could be used for checking the accuracy by the user.

[greg32]

If you have a reference adaptor to check against, it does save having all of them cal checked.