I am looking into to buying a torque wrench. I went to sears and craftsman has two different sizes, 3/8 and 1/2 inch.

I need your advise on which size to get.

Thanks in advance.

 

your choice...1/2 is more on bigger sockets. for 3/8 you can use it for other smaller sockets.

 

I am looking to do the rims, but when I get the RSB,FSTB etc, I want to be able to torque them as well.

What would to ideal size for what I want to do?

 

Do you already own sockets? If so, what size are they? Get that size. If not, do you want to buy a whole set of sockets, or just one at a time?

I have several sets of 3/8 drive sockets, so if it were me, I would get the 3/8 wrench. BUT you could always get the 1/2 inch and a 3/8 reducer. This would give you greater torque (due to the length), but decreased flexability as to where in the car you can use it (due the the long handle, it may not fit in some spaces).

 

most of your sockets are probably 3/8" so get that. Purchase the 3/8" -> 1/2" adapter since some of your larger sockets (ie 19 or 21mm) will probably have a 1/2" drive.

 

I personally prefer 1/2" drive but it's exactly as you say, it comes down to the sockets.

I like Craftsman tools even though my friends call me a sissy for going to sears. No hassles, if it breaks you get a new one. I think they are crazy to spend money on Snap-On, Mac, etc. I'm fixing stuff around the house and on a Maxima, I'm not on Mario Andretti's pit crew! I have the type of friends who'll spend $200 on a cordless drill, talk about wasting money! Bet the girls are really impressed by an empty bank account...

 

I am w/ you on the craftsman thing. For price versus quality, I go that route. As for the 1/2" drive, if I had more money, OR used larger sockets more often, I would be running 1/2" exclusively. As it is, I just use the 1/2" wrench when I need more torque. I really need a breaker bar...

 

I say go with a 1/2, you can buy the reducer to use the 3/8. Thats just my opinion, why the heck would you need some tiny 3/8 when the reducers just cost $4.00. You say you want them to torque your wheels.

 

yup i would go with 1/2 also.... and buy the reducer if u need it...

 

Thank you all for you input.

One!

 

Hey ... related question .. what are we supposed to torque the bolts to?

 

I torque my 2k2 wheels to 80 ft/lbs ,which is in the middle of the specified torque in my owners manual. Torque them when you install and re-torque after you have put a few miles on them.
Frankie

 

I bought the Sears 3/8" Digitork for $95, which is good up to 80 foot pounds. It works great, has a shorter bar for easier use, and you can torque accurately to the nearest half-pound. I also have the $25 1/2" SEARS old fashioned torque wrench, good up to about 250 pounds. I can use the 1/2" wrench (longer bar for better leverage) to easily loosen wheel lug nuts, and the Digitork to tighten them to 80 foot pounds, which is the recommended setting. The advantage of the 3/8" wrench is in tight quarters, like installing the Rear Sway Bar, the front strut tower brace, and under the manual transmission when you want to drain the tranny fluid, or want to loosen or tighten the oil drain plug. believe me, unless you jack up the car high off the ground, you don't want to try to manuever under a car with a long armed 1/2" torque wrench. Besides, the Digitork is soooo easy to use, and is extremely accurate so there is no anxiety over whether or not you have torqued the bolts to the right values. I fretted over the $95 investment, but do you want to snap your front strut mount bolts because you overtightened them, and cause the strut assemblies to self destruct?, or have your rear suspension or gas tank damaged because the RSB came loose because the bolts were undertightened?