Lift kit/Leveling kit question.
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Elder User
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From: Glen Rose, Texas
Lift kit/Leveling kit question.
Dont know if they both have pretty much the same instructions and torque specs thats why I listed both.
Come next week im doing a leveling kit on my truck to get rid of stupidity from the previous owner or dealer who had it mess up. Its the zone 2.5 leveling kit. I do almost all the wrenching on all my vehicles, but this is something I never had to do so thats where this question comes from. Reading the instructions online, theres a couple bolts that need to be torqued to 400 ft/lbs. I have a very very abundant supply of tools, from air tools, to hand tools, but none of my 4 torque wrenches go that high. The highest one is 250 ft/lbs. I know the torque is important, but if im off a little bit is it really going to matter? Once im at 250, and take it some past it, do you guys really see it coming loose? Or has anyone installed a kit and didnt use torque wrenches and it came out good?
Kind of a question, but kind of a discussion so I can get a feel for what others have done.
Thanks.
Come next week im doing a leveling kit on my truck to get rid of stupidity from the previous owner or dealer who had it mess up. Its the zone 2.5 leveling kit. I do almost all the wrenching on all my vehicles, but this is something I never had to do so thats where this question comes from. Reading the instructions online, theres a couple bolts that need to be torqued to 400 ft/lbs. I have a very very abundant supply of tools, from air tools, to hand tools, but none of my 4 torque wrenches go that high. The highest one is 250 ft/lbs. I know the torque is important, but if im off a little bit is it really going to matter? Once im at 250, and take it some past it, do you guys really see it coming loose? Or has anyone installed a kit and didnt use torque wrenches and it came out good?
Kind of a question, but kind of a discussion so I can get a feel for what others have done.
Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,470
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From: Pea Ridge, AR
You must be referring to the Track Bar Bolts, I believe their spec is 369 ft/lbs.
There are a couple of options, new torque wrench or a torque multiplier, good if you need them a lot or just want more tools.
Although for work I use multipliers, myself personally I also only have a 24" 250 ft/lb torque wrench. What you can do though is change the effective scale ratio, to allow for your scale to effectively be doubled. You can do this by extending the torque wrench from the original pivot point of the fulcrum. In my case a 24" from center of the pivot(ratchet end where you would put the socket) so to double that I cut an extension and welded it to a bar at 24" center line, you can then insert this onto the ratchet and put the socket on the other end, doubling your torque values. So if your target was 400 lbs, you set the torque wrench to 200 lbs, and when it clicks, or the deflection beam reaches the setting, or in the case of digital it beeps, you are applying 400 ft/lbs to the fastener.
There are a couple of options, new torque wrench or a torque multiplier, good if you need them a lot or just want more tools.
Although for work I use multipliers, myself personally I also only have a 24" 250 ft/lb torque wrench. What you can do though is change the effective scale ratio, to allow for your scale to effectively be doubled. You can do this by extending the torque wrench from the original pivot point of the fulcrum. In my case a 24" from center of the pivot(ratchet end where you would put the socket) so to double that I cut an extension and welded it to a bar at 24" center line, you can then insert this onto the ratchet and put the socket on the other end, doubling your torque values. So if your target was 400 lbs, you set the torque wrench to 200 lbs, and when it clicks, or the deflection beam reaches the setting, or in the case of digital it beeps, you are applying 400 ft/lbs to the fastener.
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Elder User
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From: Glen Rose, Texas
Are you talking about using a 24 inch extension? Or you talking about double the length of the torque wrench? Read that 6-7 times and get to about the end and loose what I was thinking you meant.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,470
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From: Pea Ridge, AR
Yeah sorry, I am having a hard time putting into words to describe it. But yes double(or whatever length you want, but double is easy math) the effective length but not like a cheater bar, this goes the other direction. Hand->torque wrench body->female end of the extension onto the male drive->body of the extension bar built->male section of the extension that was made->this is where you put the socket now. Total length is now 48" but with the end of the torque wrench (where you would normally put the socket) in the middle.
I'm not near my tools, I will see if I can find a pic to help.
I'm not near my tools, I will see if I can find a pic to help.
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Elder User
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From: Glen Rose, Texas
So if im reading and doing this right in my head, just for example mine is 24 like yours, I basically add 24 more inches to the head of the torque wrench, making it.....
Socket connected to 24 inch bar connected to the head of the torque wrench which is in my hand?
Socket connected to 24 inch bar connected to the head of the torque wrench which is in my hand?
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Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,470
Likes: 3
From: Pea Ridge, AR
Correct, making the total length 48" doubling your torque to the fastener, at 1/2 the scale value. So a setting of 200 would yield 400 or 50=100 etc.
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Elder User
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From: Glen Rose, Texas
I didnt know that doubled it, learn something new every day. I already have a bar made that I use to add more torque but usually only do that with the standard ratchets. Basically set up to hold a ratchet at one end and not move, may just have to modify it a little at the base to get that to wrap the head of the torque wrench. Its sturdy and holds the ratchet so it doesnt move.
Thanks for the tip. Already have two 5 ft tool boxes, and one single 10 drawer with no base thats pretty much full. Really didnt want to add anymore tools to the collection right now.
Thanks for the tip. Already have two 5 ft tool boxes, and one single 10 drawer with no base thats pretty much full. Really didnt want to add anymore tools to the collection right now.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,470
Likes: 3
From: Pea Ridge, AR
You are not wanting to "wrap" the ratchet end, you actually want to "hook" it up to the square drive. Maybe this picture will help visualize.
I got this picture from here, Torque Wrench Extension ,which although crude, is exactly what I am talking about
I got this picture from here, Torque Wrench Extension ,which although crude, is exactly what I am talking about
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Elder User
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From: Glen Rose, Texas
Alright back on this one. Cant get a hold of anything to make what you got to double the length that works. None of the shops around here have anything to torque as high as i need, the closest one can get is 350 ft/lbs, but since hes not doing the install he wants to charge me an hour labor just to tighten two bolts so thats out. Any other ideas? Will an extra long extension work? Or should I go as high as I can and check every couple of days?
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