Torque Wrench - 1/2" or 3/8" Drive?

Mojo72 · Post by **Mojo72** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 9:04 am

I'm thinking about getting a torque wrench and was wondering which size drive will get me the most use. Any suggestions?

keithvibe · Post by **keithvibe** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 9:05 am

depends on what size most of your sockets are?I would say 3/8th would get more use and there are always the adaptors you can use to size up to 1/2in

Mojo72 · Post by **Mojo72** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 9:20 am

Most of my sockets are 3/8". My immediate concern is troubleshooting a shudder coming out of my front wheels when I brake. ehoff121 suggested checking the torque in my front lug nuts before moving to the rotors. So now I want to know whether its better to torque 76 ft lbs using a 1/2" drive or a 3/8" drive. How much can a 3/8" drive take? If a 1/2" is better for that job, then I think I can get a 1/2" to 3/8" converter to accomodate the majority of my sockets. What do you think?

keithvibe · Post by **keithvibe** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 9:30 am

my torque wrench is a 1/2in drive and when needed i size it down with an adaptor to 3/8th

Mojo72 · Post by **Mojo72** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 9:37 am

Sounds good. Thanks!

Digger · Post by **Digger** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 10:05 am

Mine is a 1/2 inch. reduce it to 3/8 when needed

Raven · Post by **Raven** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 11:01 am

Quote, originally posted by Digger Â»Mine is a 1/2 inch. reduce it to 3/8 when needed Same here.

harryyiii · Post by **harryyiii** » Mon Oct 13, 2008 11:16 am

The progress bar required 150# torque of the bolts, which you will only find in a 1/2" torque wrench. The 1/2 to 3/8' adapters work fine. If you have only one, I agree that it should be 1/2".

ehoff121 · Post by **ehoff121** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 2:10 am

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe Â»my torque wrench is a 1/2in drive and when needed i size it down with an adaptor to 3/8th+1 I bought a deep socket (1/2" drive) separately to fit the lug nuts.Sorry, I don't remember the lug nut size. The local parts guy let me take a few out to the car to try them out, though.

Mojo72 · Post by **Mojo72** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 4:36 am

If you happen to remember the socket size (english or metric?), great. If not, no big deal. Thanks again for the tip on the lug nut torque possibly causing the front wheel shudder. I'll let you know what happens with it.

engineertwin2 · Post by **engineertwin2** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 8:54 am

If I recall correctly, OEM lugnuts are 3/4" and any aftermarket tuner lugs are likely 19mm. Or I have it reversed I don't know.

northvibe · Post by **northvibe** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 1:00 pm

Id go 1/2 then size down if needed. sizing up? never seen that adapter.

ehoff121 · Post by **ehoff121** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:07 am

It's a 21mm deep socket (hex pattern inside).I have the factory alloy wheels and an AWD, so you may want to double check that you have the same lug size.Good luck!

simmer9000 · Post by **simmer9000** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:13 am

I could be wrong but the 1/2" drive is normally in ft.lbs and the 3/8" drive is in.lbs so it depends on the application.. I think for lugs you's want the 1/2".. and then size down for other..Just to note, Canadian Tire Maximum Line is on sale 50% off torque wrenchs today ($124 on sale for $59). Picked one up today.

keithvibe · Post by **keithvibe** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:47 am

lol little late to the game... almost 1year since the last reply. But thanks for chiming in.

star_deceiver · Post by **star_deceiver** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 9:43 am

Quote, originally posted by northvibe Â»Id go 1/2 then size down if needed. sizing up? never seen that adapter. I have it. From 3/8" to 1/2" and I have a 1/2" to 3/4"... Ah the useless stuff you can buy at Princess Auto!!!I have 1/2" drive Torque wrench. And all the tools I buy are 1/2". I never saw the point of buying a set with 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive when you can buy it all 1 size. If you need something smaller, grab a wrench!

keithvibe · Post by **keithvibe** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 7:44 pm

Believe it or not I use my 1/4" drive sockets and wratchet more than any of my others. I just find them more user friendly and they get in to places that a normal, say 3/8",10mm socket will simply because they have thinner side walls.

vibedrivermatt · Post by **vibedrivermatt** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 7:09 am

I first had a 3/8" which can do 0 to 100 ft/lbs but when I installed a rear sway bar I had to buy another 1/2" wrench that went up to 250 ft/lbs. It depends on what you need it for at the moment. Id say get the 3/8" drive wrench that goes up to 100 ft/lbs because it could be used on a lot more stuff. There aren't too many times you'll need to torque stuff down over 100 or 150 ft/lbs. Get one of each if you can! the bummer about torque wrenches is they're expensive for the nice brand names like snap-on but, sometimes cheaper wrenches will do fine. I've been wanting to have my wrenches tested for accuracy but, they do come with signed certificates showing they where tested at the time of manufacture. And the wrenches are supposed to be able to be used several times before needing to be calibrated.. Ohhh and make sure you read the instruction before turning or twisting any dials or adjusters on the torque wrench if your getting a clicker type.. I had a new wrench and I loosened the adjuster below the lowest setting. I found out your not supposed to do that after reading the directions..oopps!

Water boy · Post by **Water boy** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 12:24 am

We need a "Tool" sub forum.I've been 'renchin' for 40+ years.There is probably someone out there that has a trick that I never thought of or a tool that is more useful.With the Vibe being a more "younger" generation car, "old farts in training" like me could still be useful.

Sublimewind · Post by **Sublimewind** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 12:40 am

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver Â»I have it. From 3/8" to 1/2" and I have a 1/2" to 3/4"... Ah the useless stuff you can buy at Princess Auto!!!I have 1/2" drive Torque wrench. And all the tools I buy are 1/2". I never saw the point of buying a set with 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive when you can buy it all 1 size. If you need something smaller, grab a wrench!You shop for tools and auto parts at a place called PRINCESS AUTO.... (as not not Prince?) Wow, you got a lot of women mechanics up there too... lol...

Sublimewind · Post by **Sublimewind** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 12:42 am

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe Â»Believe it or not I use my 1/4" drive sockets and wratchet more than any of my others. I just find them more user friendly and they get in to places that a normal, say 3/8",10mm socket will simply because they have thinner side walls.Same here... My 1/4" drive Snap-On set has done more work than I care to say.. lol..

star_deceiver · Post by **star_deceiver** » Tue Sep 08, 2009 11:00 am

Princess auto is the Canadian version of Harbor freight tools! And yes, we got some hotties crankin' wrenches up here!http://www.princessauto.com/Here's the adapter set! http://www.princessauto.com/vm...r-set

Sublimewind · Post by **Sublimewind** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 12:08 am

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver Â»Princess auto is the Canadian version of Harbor freight tools! And yes, we got some hotties crankin' wrenches up here!http://www.princessauto.com/Here's the adapter set! http://www.princessauto.com/vm...r-setThat's awesome...!! I honestly have had thoughts of starting an all women run auto shop... everyone front t o back would be women (besides me ) I think women would LOVE something like that..

star_deceiver · Post by **star_deceiver** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 10:02 am

Quote, originally posted by Sublimewind Â»I honestly have had thoughts of starting an all women run auto shop... everyone front to back would be women (besides me ) I think women would LOVE something like that.. Men would be taking the car in for service for every possible rattle every other day... $$$ out the yingyang!!!!

Torque Wrench - 1/2" or 3/8" Drive?

Torque Wrench - 1/2" or 3/8" Drive?

Re: Torque Wrench - 1/2" or 3/8" Drive? (Mojo72)

Re: Torque Wrench - 1/2" or 3/8" Drive? (keithvibe)

Re: Torque Wrench - 1/2" or 3/8" Drive? (Mojo72)

Re: Torque Wrench - 1/2" or 3/8" Drive? (keithvibe)

Re: Torque Wrench - 1/2" or 3/8" Drive? (Mojo72)

Re: Torque Wrench - 1/2" or 3/8" Drive? (Digger)

Re: Torque Wrench - 1/2" or 3/8" Drive? (Mojo72)

Re: Torque Wrench - 1/2" or 3/8" Drive? (keithvibe)

Re: Torque Wrench - 1/2" or 3/8" Drive? (ehoff121)

Re: Torque Wrench - 1/2" or 3/8" Drive? (Mojo72)

Re: (simmer9000)

Re: (northvibe)

Re: (star_deceiver)

Re: Torque Wrench - 1/2" or 3/8" Drive? (Mojo72)

Re: (star_deceiver)

Re: (keithvibe)

Re: (Sublimewind)

Re: (star_deceiver)

Re: (Sublimewind)