Wheel lug torque wrench?

[blueovalfanatic]

I asked for a torque wrench for Christmas, and my girlfriend bought me one from Jegs that states it's for LUG NUT USE ONLY. It goes from 10-150 ft. pounds, and the certificate thing inside that case states that it is accurate to +/- 4%. I know most regular torque wrenches state that they are accurate to 3%, which is better than 4% obviously, but why are they for lug use only? I cannot even look up the manufacturers website, as there is no company listed. I know Jegs didn't make it.

Rather than taking it back, I decided to keep it specifically for putting wheels on, which would save my better torque wrench (when I get it) from getting beat around on tires and wheels, but I am wondering why it's for wheels only. Is the 1% difference in the accuracy the only reason?

Thanks,
Greg

[wtm442]

They just want to avoid liability when you build your motor and it comes apart, and the lawyer claims the torque wrench was not accurate enough.

I counted 13 warning signs on a dumpster the other day!

Do not worry, use it on everything. But first, find a friend with an expensive torque wrench and compare them at 75 and 100 ft-lbs. Then you can offset it a few pounds if it really is off by 4%.

Using a torque wrench on tires does not make it inaccurate. But dropping it on the floor will

My Craftsman torque wrench is almost 40 years old, and it was within 2 ft-lbs at 100 ft-lbs when I checked it last year.

[blueovalfanatic]

Hmmm...interesting, and good news too. I was not going to even consider using it as a regular torque wrench, as I figured there had to be a legitimate reason...but when I seen 4% as opposed to the normal 3%, I had to wonder why. My dad has an old Craftsman that we should get calibrated, and then I can compare it to that one- but I am not sure where to take it to have it calibrated. I know that using a "regular" one on wheels wouldnt hurt it, but I was thinking about dropping it in the driveway possibly, laying it down, etc. If I were to pay 2 or 3 hundred for a torque wrench, it would be pampered and used only in a controlled invironment to torque whatever bolts needed it, before being tucked away safely in the toolbox. The cheapie one will probably spend most of its life on the work bench.

At any rate, thanks for the answer. I will compare it to a known accurate one before attempting to use it on my engine.

Greg

[wtm442]

but I am not sure where to take it to have it calibrated.

Call Snap-On. Ask for local rep and call him for a quote. I've also heard that Griot's garage does it for about $25 plus shipping. Also, talk to any local engine builder and ask them where they get it done.