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Skyline
09-17-2007, 04:15 PM
When setting up a pinion bearing, what type of in/lb torque wrench are you folks using? Maybe I'm not looking for the right thing, or perhaps not in the right place, but I'm having a bit of difficulty finding the right tool.

Since this is going to have to measure the rotation of the big yoke nut, I figured a 1/2 drive wrench would be the best...but even the in/lb versions of those that I have found (like the Snap On TE51) seem to be too widely calibrated (0-600 in lbs) to make sense. Isn't the correct rotational resistance under 20 in lbs??? With a 0-600 scale the needle would hardly move. Is it necessary to step down to a 3/8" drive wrench to get sufficient definition? (Like a Snap On TE12FUA)

silber
09-17-2007, 05:40 PM
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=11387&subcategory_ID=4219

Comes with a 1/4 to 3/8 adapter. Just add a 3/8 to 1/2 adapter and you are set.

nate
09-17-2007, 07:25 PM
http://www.stanleyproto.com/default.asp?TYPE=CATEGORY&CATEGORY=DIAL+TORQUE+WRENCHES&strSiteName=PROTO&strDefaultCatalog=PROTO

Mine is 0-75 in/lbs (6169). It was around $170 from MSC, I didn't pay that though... had 2 of them actually, gave the other to my brother.

Sudz
09-18-2007, 01:09 AM
i use 3 drive adapters with my inch/pound torque wrench (1/4" to 3/8" + 3/8" to 1/2" + 1/2" to 3/4") - pinion nut socket is 3/4" drive

Norbar Model 5 #13002 10-50 in/lbs

http://www.norbar.com/pdf_upload/Page10_Aug05.pdf

http://www.the-jersey-devil.com/photopost/data/500/28100_16811-med.JPG

midwestxj
09-18-2007, 09:34 AM
Dude, do you really have a 2x4 on top of that jack stand???

Sudz
09-18-2007, 09:39 AM
Dude, do you really have a 2x4 on top of that jack stand???
yup - it's only supporting the empty axle

i have stands under the frame supporting the heep

SOLITUDE
09-18-2007, 10:01 AM
I just picked up this one from Advance. It was cheap and I needed one.
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=PBI&MfrPartNumber=644999&CategoryCode=3418

Ted_Z
09-18-2007, 10:26 AM
When I set the pinion bearing preload on the D44A I just set up I used a little craftsman clicker type and a handfull of adapters. Most people recommend a beam type torque wrench because its much easier to read the tourqe when the pinion starts to turn.

You can still do it with a clicker with a trick. For the D44A, 20-40 in-lb is called out for the preload . That means it should turn without clicking when your wrench is set at 20in-lb and should click before turing at 40in-lb. (you can play this game while adjusting the setting to narrow the range.)

nate
09-18-2007, 11:35 AM
A clicker torque wrench is hard to get a good #.

If you can turn the pinion with the torque wrench set at 20 in/lbs and it doesn't click, that would mean your preload is too low. And if it clicks at 40 in/lbs, it's too high.

I have a Snap On TE12FUA as well. They read too high for pinion preload IMO. Most torque wrenches are not accurate at the bottom 20%, which would be what you need for pinion preload.

Every tool box should have a good selection of torque wrenches. I have like 7 or 8 of them, from a few in/lbs up to 1000ft/lbs.

TrojanMan
09-18-2007, 12:32 PM
A clicker torque wrench is hard to get a good #.

If you can turn the pinion with the torque wrench set at 20 in/lbs and it doesn't click, that would mean your preload is too low. And if it clicks at 40 in/lbs, it's too high.

I have a Snap On TE12FUA as well. They read too high for pinion preload IMO. Most torque wrenches are not accurate at the bottom 20%, which would be what you need for pinion preload.

Every tool box should have a good selection of torque wrenches. I have like 7 or 8 of them, from a few in/lbs up to 1000ft/lbs.


Not all of us have that much money.

Skyline
09-18-2007, 02:33 PM
Sounds to me like a dial type, with a memory needle would be the best solution. Does it throw off your reading if you use a 1/4" torque wrench with adapters 1/4" to 3/8" plus 3/8" to 1/2" and a 1/2" drive socket?

Ted_Z
09-18-2007, 04:33 PM
Does it throw off your reading if you use a 1/4" torque wrench with adapters 1/4" to 3/8" plus 3/8" to 1/2" and a 1/2" drive socket?

No, the slop in the adapter stack is taken up as soon as you rotate the wrench assembly.

Sudz
09-18-2007, 08:34 PM
No, the slop in the adapter stack is taken up as soon as you rotate the wrench assembly.
10-4

AndyZJ
09-18-2007, 09:15 PM
Wasn't there a rule for every inch of extension add another foot pound of force? Or is it inch of extension for inch of force?

canadian_driver
09-18-2007, 10:20 PM
i got a in/lb wrench when i was making bikes, check bike shops

Sudz
09-18-2007, 11:39 PM
Wasn't there a rule for every inch of extension add another foot pound of force? Or is it inch of extension for inch of force?

read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torque

Ex-Nihilo
09-19-2007, 01:01 AM
I have a matco beam style one(DR50I), it was like 80 bucks. 3/8 drive but they make adapters so it isn't that big of a deal. it goes from 0-50" lbs. The first axle I set up I used a click style tq. wrench. After I bought this matco one I rechecked it, and it was off by quite a bit. Luckily it was in an offroad only rig that didn't see but about 500 miles. I reset the preload and all was well. It has been running around in a buds rig for over a year with no probs.

nate
09-19-2007, 01:18 AM
Keep an eye out for deals. A few of the one's I have I got for free because they were damaged/wouldn't cal. Paid $40-50 for Snap On to rebuild/re-cal and simple as that.

I did the same for my toolboxes. My main box is a top, bottom and side cab, then I have a smaller roll around too, all Snap On.. I paid around $1500 for all 4 cabinets.


Not all of us have that much money.

AndyZJ
09-19-2007, 11:16 AM
This site (http://home.jtan.com/~joe/KIAT/kiat_3.htm) gave me information on proper torque wrench use. Oh and Wikipedia is full of errors.

nate
09-19-2007, 11:47 AM
All our stuff has to be +- 5%. If it can't be adjusted to get that, it's garbage. I have had some brand new Snap On torque wrenches not meet that and had to get them warrantied (Snap On warranties them for 3 years)

Also before you use a clicker wrench, you are supposed to cycle it 6 times at 50% torque to get everything working.

(I run the tool crib at work if your wondering)