Torque wrench recommendation and size

Yorky1

Can anyone recommend a good torque wrench for occasional use? The most immediate job is to tighten the nuts on a towbar to 134 NM.

Also, regarding the size, most specs state half-inch or three-eighths inch. Does this refer to the fitting width on the rear of each socket? If so should this be measured from corner to corner or side-to-side of the rear recess of a socket?

Thanks in advance.

Hammyman

I wouldn't worry for towbar nuts - just tighten them as tight as you can and it won't be far off. Yes 1/2" or 3/8" refers to the size of the square hole. 1/2" is for medium weight stuff, 3/8" is for lightweight stuff. 1/2" is the common size for torque wrenches. With torque wrenches, the longer they are the easier it is to tighten up stuff very tight. Don't worry about how to measure the size - the sockets you use will state what they are.

wealdroam

Half inch or three eighths refers to the square on the back of the socket... measured across the flats.

mikey72

http://www.screwfix.com/p/reversible-torque-wrench/18289

Yorky1

Thanks for the replies. Could you explain how to measure the socket size - is it the width of the square socket on the rear of each socket?

colino

OP don't buy a torque wrench for this job, tighten up to FT and it will be fine.

Hammyman

Yorky1 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. Could you explain how to measure the socket size - is it the width of the square socket on the rear of each socket?

Take it to a garage. Not being rude but mechanical aptitude isn't your strong point. A small local garage won't usually charge you to tighten up a couple of nuts on a towbar.

mikey72

Measure the head across the flats.
10mm, 13mm, 17mm 19mm etc.
If you use the torque wrench in the link above, it's a half inch drive, ie the hole in the back of the socket is a half inch, so any half inch socket can be used.
From memory, it comes with an adaptor, so smaller 3/8 drive sockets can be used as well.

From memory, I think the standard coupling bolt is M16, so a 24mm socket.
Mine is a detachable, which is prone to coming loose, with a different head fixing to the standard flange. Threadlock, or in my case permanant studlock stopped it vibrating loose.

wealdroam

Yorky1 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. Could you explain how to measure the socket size - is it the width of the square socket on the rear of each socket?

Re-read post #3.