P500 Torque wrench recommendation

[Twangin]

Fairly new P5 owner so I’m looking to get some affordable recommendations on a torque wrench for use in changing wheels/tires, changing oil/oil filter, and other various things that may come up requiring a specific torque as to not strip bolts. I’m guessing I will need 2 wrenches due to the range of torque needed on larger bolts to smaller bolts. Wanting to stay under $50. Are the ones at harbor freight any good?


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[Hondasxs]

Recomend NOT using one for the oil filter cover. Too many people stripping bolts. Learn how to feel it.



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[Twangin]

Recomend NOT using one for the oil filter cover. Too many people stripping bolts. Learn how to feel it.



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That makes sense, I remember stripping out twice on my old foreman’s oil filter cover and ended up getting a 1/4” drive socket wrench for it, minimized the leverage you could get. Guess I’ll have to try and find where I put it.


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[ohanacreek]

Sears has an inch/lb torque wrench for about $50, I bought it for torquing my beadlocks down. To convert Inch/lbs to foot/lbs just divide by 12. Just like converting inches to feet.

Harbor freight may be good for a few things but when accuracy matters I wouldn't trust them.

 

[DG Rider]

I use a HF inch pound wrench.
It's not something I would normally trust to HF, but some years ago, some car mag (car craft maybe?) tested several torque wrenches for accuracy, and the HF models actually performed very well. I figured they were good enough.

My 1/2 one for wheels, etc is a Craftsman I've had for years. Recently had the snap on guy test it for accuracy, and surprisingly, it was still really close.

That's the thing...they do need to be calibrated if you use them (or abuse them) a lot.

 

[ohanacreek]

I use a HF inch pound wrench.
It's not something I would normally trust to HF, but some years ago, some car mag (car craft maybe?) tested several torque wrenches for accuracy, and the HF models actually out performed some big names. I figured if they could do that, they were good enough.

My 1/2 one for wheels, etc is a Craftsman I've had for years. Recently had the snap on guy test it for accuracy, and surprisingly, it was still really close.

That's the thing...they do need to be calibrated if you use them (or abuse them) a lot.

Never would’ve guessed they were any good. Might’ve considered an inch lb one as much as it gets used.

 

[Twangin]

The in-lb one at harbor freight actually has some good reviews, some even written by fairly mechanically inclined folks. Might give that one a shot for the smaller bolts. As for wheel lug nuts, how critical is it to torque to the factory recommended 98 ft lbs? I’ve seen mixed opinions up here where some say do it, some say that’s too much, and some say just do it by feel until they’re nice and tight..


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[GlockMeister]

I have a 3/8 drive from Harbor freight...ive checked it against my snap on and it has been spot on.

 

[DG Rider]

The really important part is that you back it off when not in use (usually the minimum setting). Keeping it set at a higher torque causes them to loose accuracy quickly, though I believe there are some designs that aren't affected by this.

 

[Neohio]

@Twangin You are going to need to open up your wallet a bit more to get a decent repeatable torque wrench.
At the bare minimum, I would recommend these 2 to cover 95% of the repairs on your machine.
CDI Torque 1501MRMH Micrometer Adjustable Torque Wrenches

CDI Torque 1002MFRMH Micrometer Adjustable Torque Wrenches

Lug nuts, axles nuts etc are served well by the Harbor freight stuff.
I have 5 different torque wrenches in my garage.
CDI and PI are big names in the torque industry. They just happen to be owned by Snap-on. They pretty much rebadge for all the big tool companies. Only difference between the 2 I posted and their Snap-on counterparts are the heads. The Snap on will have either 72 or 80 teeth. These are less. Not enough of an upgrade to be worth 2-3 times the price.

 

[trigger]

FWIW, never saw the need for one, it's a feel thing. Maybe on head bolts or something as critical as that. Tight is tight, that doesn't mean apprentice tight either.

 

[Chooglin]

I agree with @trigger

 

[Chadmwallis]

Have several torque wrenches. The HF are honestly hard to beat. Also correct in regards to keeping them stored at 0. There's a place for torque wrenches but I only use them where I think is necessary. Mainly engine components. The beam style is probably the best for staying accurate but the click style are far easier to use.

 

[Wallace]

 

[Alan aka Davinci]

Fairly new P5 owner so I’m looking to get some affordable recommendations on a torque wrench for use in changing wheels/tires, changing oil/oil filter, and other various things that may come up requiring a specific torque as to not strip bolts. I’m guessing I will need 2 wrenches due to the range of torque needed on larger bolts to smaller bolts. Wanting to stay under $50. Are the ones at harbor freight any good?


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Wheels Lug nuts 98 lbs
Oil drain plug 18 lbs
Front final drive plug 9 lbs
rear final drive 9 lbs.

 

[JWB]

I'm hesitant to get involved in this one....but, I work on Honda outboards, and I can tell you that some of the torque-specs are a bit sketchy for the smaller fasteners- anything that uses a 10mm, or 12mm wrench with the actual thread diameter comparable to 1/4 or 5/16 bolts. I've had them strip, or break using Honda's specs, (with me wincing in advance, just knowing the bloody fastener was about to break..)so like the other guys said, it's a 'feel' thing. Don't know if it's the same for the power-sports side, but I can tell you, if you put 9 lbs, or even 7 in some cases, on a normal 10mm (socket size) bolt, it's not going to do it more than a couple times without breaking, or distorting something- particularly in aluminum. I can say without hesitation for instance, the torque spec for the skid plate bolts is just plain too high. If you're concerned that a fastener that has to be removed and installed many times may come loose, put some medium, or low strength lok-tite on the threads. I mention the skid plates because I've had mine off so many times... Just avoid over-tightening fasteners as much as possible!
On the other hand, there are some who shouldn't be allowed near a bolt without a torque-wrench. If you know you're one of those people, get at least, a good inch-pound wrench for the small fasteners, and learn how to use it!