Looking for Torque wrench recommendations

[TAArrowood]

As the title says I’m looking for some recommendations for torque wrenches. I’m a DIY guy and am looking at replacing rear wheel bearings and brakes on my wife’s car. I’ve got loads of hand tools, but never invested in a decent torque wrench. My only real requirement is that it needs to be 1/2” and 250 foot pound capacity. I know Snap on is probably the best, but for the amount I’ll use it I can’t justify that much money I think my max spend will be $200. Digital vs analog/clicker type? I’ll probably use it primarily for axle nuts, breaks, etc. Any suggestions from actual users would be appreciated. I don’t trust many of the reviews I read online since most are not much more that sales pitches. Thanks in advance to anyone who would weigh in.

 

[isItFallYet]

I’ve been happy with Tekton torque wrenches. I have 1/2”, 3/8”, and 1/4”.

 

[TAArrowood]

Have those bee digital or clickers? Thanks for responding.

 

[isItFallYet]

Have those bee digital or clickers? Thanks for responding.

1/2 Inch Drive Micrometer Torque Wrench (40 - 300 ft-lb) | TEKTON

Dual-direction micrometer torque wrench has a torque range of 40–300 ft-lb. Includes certificate of calibration and case. TRQ52403.

www.tekton.com

 

[JimIsland]

I bought a Craftsman 50-250 lb. Torque Wrench back in 2007. I raced from 2007-2015 and would routinely swap my street tires out for my Drag radials at the track. 8 years of hard use and they still work great.

 

[isItFallYet]

Im not sure the Craftsman quality is what it used to be back in 2007.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

I have the 50-250 1/2" Kobalt from Lowes. It is the manual click over. It has worked very well for me. It is a beast. And I think it was around $100.

 

[wpeach1912]

The HF Icon stuff is generally pretty good. I’ve used their cheap torque wrenches for a while on cars and rifle barrels without problem. I don’t think torque range specs are typically that tight on wheel bearings and brakes

 

[Yooper]

Been using a click style Tekton for years now. No issues for me on standard brake jobs and such. I don't think you have to overthink this one. If I was a professional shop wrenching on something for hours a day I could see the benefits of digital but this isn't one of those situations IMO.

 

[survivalistd]

Im not sure the Craftsman quality is what it used to be back in 2007.

I agree with this. Sad but true

 

[fraz01]

Check out the VEVOR site.

 

[cmahoney]

If that’s your budget, I wouldn’t be afraid of buying an ICON professional from Harbor freight.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mighty Mouse]

I'm on my second 1/2" Craftsman clicker. First one lasted around 10 years before something went wrong with the internal mechanism that sets the amount of torque. I bought the original at Sears, which has since gone out of business. Lowe's now carries Craftsman, and they honored the Craftsman lifetime warranty. I took the broken one to the Lowe's service desk, and they replaced it for free with a new 1/2" Craftsman. I use mine a few times a year when rotating tires and for other vehicle maintenance/repairs that occasionally pop up.

 

[RSather528]

The 1/2” Craftsman has worked for me the past few years. Once I got the 1/2” I ended up needing the 3/8” one. Lowe’s has them on sale right now..

 

[SDHNTR]

10 year-old plus craftsman here too

 

[jjordan355]

If you’re just tightening an axle nut after replacing a wheel bearing, a good 1/2” impact electric Milwaukee or pneumatic hits the spot.

I’ll add I’m a professional line tech with Toyota and have been with them for almost 10 years. A torque stick for wheels and an impact for axle nuts. If it’s a staked axle nut make sure you de stake it properly. I use a pointed flat chisel that has some angle on it to drive the stake away from the threads and then just re stake it once I put everything back together.

 

[Jpsmith1]

The HF Icon stuff is generally pretty good. I’ve used their cheap torque wrenches for a while on cars and rifle barrels without problem. I don’t think torque range specs are typically that tight on wheel bearings and brakes

Yeah. I have been beating the snot out of the cheaper Pittsburgh models and they're solid. They consistently rank as a high value tool in various reviews.

I'd recommend without hesitation

 

[BRTreedogs]

We use Carlyle ones from Napa at work that seems fine.
But if telkton was close in price I’d probably buy that.
Every thing I’ve ever heard about tekton was good.

 

[Poser]

I’ve been happy with Tekton torque wrenches. I have 1/2”, 3/8”, and 1/4”.

I have the same brand. I was skeptical given the price, but I can’t complain.

That being said, for a regular DIY guy, you don’t necessarily need the same durability as a shop mechanic, though there are shop mechanic reviews of the Tekton brand in general and they tend to be pretty good.

Pro tip: be sure to back off your toque wrenches to zero once you’re done using them.

 

[anonymous22]

I have:

1/2 a icon split beam

Precision instruments (snap on version) 3/8s split beam. I think it’s 10-55 ft lbs or something close to that.

Dewalt click style 1/2 torque wrench.

Icon 3/8 inch lb torque wrench

Wheeler Fat wrench torque screw driver. (I’d pass)

Avid torque screw driver. (Preferred)

And a beam scale torque wrench. I don’t remember who made it. Matco or something. I needed it for pinion bearing preload once on a Jeep build sometime ago.

All of them have held up. I’ve brought a couple to the matco truck to check calibration and they’ve been fine.

I also got the digital torque adapter from Quinn that’s pretty accurate as well.