Torque Limiting Extensions?
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 2
From: Rockport, WA
Torque Limiting Extensions?
I was looking around here for a torque wrench, so I can set the lugs on the summer wheels/tires I'm installing, and I got to thinking about those torque limiting extensions I've seen advertised.
I must admit I've mostly seen them in cheap ads like this Harbor Freight:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92890
Not long ago, I was riding with Daughter-in-law when she stopped to let the dealership have a second try at balancing wheels and getting the shimmy out of her new KIA minivan (I know, poor judgement, but what can I say?). I noticed the Mechanic using a color coded torque limiting extension on his impact wrench when he put the wheels back on the van.
Does anyone know if these extensions are at all accurate? Would you trust them for your wheels and lug nuts?
Thanks,
Lane
I must admit I've mostly seen them in cheap ads like this Harbor Freight:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92890
Not long ago, I was riding with Daughter-in-law when she stopped to let the dealership have a second try at balancing wheels and getting the shimmy out of her new KIA minivan (I know, poor judgement, but what can I say?). I noticed the Mechanic using a color coded torque limiting extension on his impact wrench when he put the wheels back on the van.
Does anyone know if these extensions are at all accurate? Would you trust them for your wheels and lug nuts?
Thanks,
Lane
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 2
From: Rockport, WA
Thanks. I guess if tire shops feel safe using them, I might see about getting a set. And you're right, it shouldn't be hard to tighten a nut, then check it with a good torque wrench.
I can see the extensions get thicker as their torque ratings go up. They appear to work by springing, not letting the impact gun transmit its hammering to the socket, once the nut is torqued enough that the extension springs. I think the true limit might depend on how many degrees of rotation are in the impact gun's hammer stroke.
It might be fun to see how the performance of say an 80 ft. lb. extension compares, when used with a wimply old cheap gun like my Harbor Freight "Central Pneumatic," vs used with a good air wrench like the rippin' little Ingersoll Rand 2135PTi that I was using a few moments ago.
They sure do look like timesavers in a tire shop, though.
I can see the extensions get thicker as their torque ratings go up. They appear to work by springing, not letting the impact gun transmit its hammering to the socket, once the nut is torqued enough that the extension springs. I think the true limit might depend on how many degrees of rotation are in the impact gun's hammer stroke.
It might be fun to see how the performance of say an 80 ft. lb. extension compares, when used with a wimply old cheap gun like my Harbor Freight "Central Pneumatic," vs used with a good air wrench like the rippin' little Ingersoll Rand 2135PTi that I was using a few moments ago.
They sure do look like timesavers in a tire shop, though.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
I have actually been looking at getting a pair because I am lazy and don't like tightening the lugs, setting the vehicle down and torquing them. I would rather just torque them down with the impact when the car is still in the air. Let me know how they work.
