Am going shopping for tools this weekend. What is the most useful torque wrench for our use? I know they come in different ranges of torque and don't want to buy two different one. I have both 3/8" and 1/2" drive sockets.

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Mr Goodfahrt (pronounced FAIRT... means "good trip" in German)

1982 300D Turbo Pastel Gray (off-white) 200k+(?)
newbie but willing

Depends on what you are torquing & one size does not fit all. Good mechanics have 3 or more torque wrenches.

For lug bolts and suspension work a 1/2" drive 50-250 ft-lb torque wrench would probably be best. That's the one I use most of the time.

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Brian Toscano

Thanks.... I should have mentioned that I am going to do things like valve setting, etc under the hood. Injectors will also be checked, and will be replaceing oil pan gasket and changing transmission filter. I am concerned about over torquing these things.

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Mr Goodfahrt (pronounced FAIRT... means "good trip" in German)

1982 300D Turbo Pastel Gray (off-white) 200k+(?)
newbie but willing

None of the items you mention really require the use of a torque wrench, only good common sense in snugging everything together.

Where a torque wrench is really needed is in engine assembly such as head bolts, main cap bolts, rod bolts, etc.

Some like to use a torque wrench on lug bolts. I have never had problems just cinching them down with the same weight on the same lug wrench, but doing it in an even pattern so that the rotor is not warped. I tighten the lug bolts in a Texas Star pattern.

Good luck,

Most torque wrenches do not have a high enough setting for the front crankshaft bolt, about 200 ft lbs. However if you plan on doing a front seal replacements, or a harmonic balancer needs to be torqued down, it is cheaper to rent a higher range torque wrench.
As to the 3/8 and 1/2, I have both and use them both a lot. Don't like my propensity to overtighen and break/ strip bolts. Seems to keep that to a minimum. The 3/8 drive torque works better on the lower torque settings, as you might find on an oil pan or a transmission pan.
Others have better hands than I do I guess, some can tigten by feel reliably.

ALLWAYS return the handle setting back to zero after using it. If you leave it at whatever setting you last used and put it away, you will create a memory on the internal spring which will make your wrench inaccurate.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012