Torque Wrench Necessary?

[jagan323]

Hi guys,

I'm going to be doing my first oil change in a week =D I bought everything I need... and I bought a Bendy bar torque wrench for the Drain plug. Then I realized... do I really need the torque wrench? 18lb-ft shouldnt be super tight right?

Anyone change their oil without using a torque wrench? I just don't know if I need this.

[thiggin2]

I have been working in a GM shop for 20 years and I have never seen anyone every use a torque wrench for that before. You just don't want to over tighten. I just make mine nice and snug.

[jagan323]

okay, thank you for the reply! I'll return it and save the CASH! =D

[clg_98ta]

Just snug it up with the socket wrench - its pretty easy to overtighten it.

Be careful with the filter as well. A little new oil on the rubber gasket, then hand tighten before turning another 1/2 turn with the wrench. If you overtighten the filter, you'll have a bear of a time getting it off next time...

[jagan323]

Thank you the advice. I will make a note of that when I do it =D

[danhr]

dont need it but a torque wrench is a must have item to have in the tool box. I wouldn't return the wrench.

[ClaymoreZ28]

Only comment here is that no-one replying here knows how well calibrated your hands are on torque - so using a torque wrench if you have one is cheap insurance - just my 2cents worth. If you have one it just takes a few secs to use it - if you have one and dont use it and mess up - you will be a very unhappy camper

[danhr]

if you can mess up putting a drain plug back on a car, you should not be changing your own oil to begin with.

[jagan323]

lol... what kinda torque wrenches do you guys buy? The Bendy kind? or the Clicky style for the sound? =o

[obe1]

Originally Posted by jagan323

lol... what kinda torque wrenches do you guys buy? The Bendy kind? or the Clicky style for the sound? =o

The "Bendy Bar" is not very accurate and tough to read; A click style is pretty much fool proof. Also torque wrenches cover dfferent ranges of torque. I have a large 1/2" drive one that works from 25 - 250 lb-ft that is used on many applications, and a small 3/8" drive that covers 25 - 225 lb-in. 18 lb-ft is 216 lb-in.

[danhr]

clicky ftw

[brandotron]

Clicky here

[Moriartii]

I use a clicky kind made by CDI which is a subsidiary of Snap on. I have an inch pounds and a foot pounds one. Basically if you take a 3/8 rachet with the corresponding socket, hold it in one hand and then tighten, holding the ratchet at the bottom with your thumb on the ratchet like you are giving a thumbs up. That is about 12 - 15ish foot lbs. If you put just a touch o muscle in it you will be fine on the oil plug doing it this way.

Cheers
K

[jagan323]

Thanks guys for the feedback. I ended up buying a clicky type torque wrench. 3/8 drive and 10-85ft-lbs. I'll get another for my Wheels prolly get a 50-250 later on =p