Do I absolutely need a torque wrench to install a fstb? I have 3/8th inch sockets and I can't find a 3/8 inch beam torque wrench anywhere (they cost 20, compare to 60+ for the dial kind). thanks...

 

try a search.. we had this posted once..
james

 

but ya, i think u need one so u wont tighten it wrong.
james

 

Well, I would say that you want to make sure the bolts are tight enough on there. So, if you don't want to go buy a torque wrench, ask your hardware store if they will lend you one. It will only take 10 minutes or so to put the FSTB on, so borrowing one will be a good idea. It is important that you get the bolts on there tight enough.

 

... but not too tight!~

 

well u can go buy it if u cant find anyone to let you borrow it... use it and then return it...

 

true, true.....you don't want to strip the bolts either....

psing23 has another good idea but, a torque wrench is a worthwhile investment.....

 

fer what else is there? i'm more likely just gonna borrow one from pepboys

 

if are going to work on your car elsewhere, a torque wrench can be handy. For example, you can use it to make sure your tire's lugs are torqued correctly. Over-torquing can mess up your rotors.

 

I was thinking about following psing32's advice before, I think I'm going to buy one and return it if I feel like it...

I just recieved my fstb, I'll put it on after work. Too bad it's raining here near Philly, I want to go out for a spin.

Would I need a torque wrench for the RSB?

 

If you need to ask the question, then you probably need a torque wrench.

 

Huh?

 

The instructions for the Addco RSB says torque to 25 ft/lb. So I used my trusty torque wrench.

 

basically i think u do.. but i dont see the point to have a $60 tool taht i will hardly use... i will "borrow" one from a store to install my FSTB, my RSB, and i will make sure that all my bolts are properly torqued and then i will return it... if i will ever need it again then i will just do the same...

 

Naw, you don't "need" one. I find it kinda funny that some guys are tightening the bolts so much that they are either stripping the threads or breaking the stud off(that's way overboard). I guess I've worked on cars so long that I have a good feel for what's right. One thing you could do is note how hard it was to take off and estimate that on the assembly process. But as one guy said, it's only about 25-35 ft lbs. That's just a firm turn on a 3/8" drive socket w/ a handle that's about 4-5" long. You almost couldn't get enough torque on such a short handle to tighten too much. Unless your using your foot or something!

 

I might as well keep it considering I will probably have to take them off and put them on at least once, and a torque wrench is good to have to make sure the bolts stay at the reccomended tightness...