How To Set The Torque Wrench

How To Set The Torque Wrench |DIY in 8 Easy Step By Step

Any idea how to set the torque wrench?Torque wrenches are popular tools designed to tighten bolts and nuts without damaging them. There are different torque wrenches, such as the beam torque wrench, click torque wrench, dial torque wrench, digital torque wrench, and the slipper torque wrench. The most common type is the click-style torque wrench that produces a click sound when you reach your desired torque. To correctly set up a torque wrench, follow the steps given below.

What is a torque wrench?

What is a torque wrench

A torque wrench is a tool that works by applying specific torque when tightening bolts and nuts. A torquewrench allows you to tighten fasteners to the proper tension.

Components of Torque Wrench

Although there are different types of torque wrenches, people mostly use the click-style torque wrench. Here are the components of the click-style torque wrenches.

  • Handle
  • Locknut
  • Dial indicator

Tools & Process – How To Set the Torque Wrench


• A torque wrench

• A socket, an adapter, or an extender

#Step 1: Loosen the knob located at the back of the handle

Pick your torque wrench and check at the rear side. You will see a knob that locks your preferred setting in place. The knob is made of a metal or plastic cap. Loosen your wrench until when you don’t feel any resistance. Loosening it allows the handle to move freely back and forth.

#Step 2: Check the measurement on your wrench

Once you loosen the torque wrench, you need to set your preferred settings. The measurements are located at the body and the handle of your wrench. There are two sets of numbers. The larger numbers are situated in the body of your wrench, while the smaller numbers are located at the handle.

Torque is usually measured in meter-kilogram or foot-pounds. When setting your preferred torque, remember the vertical location represents the baseline while the rotation determines the smaller numbers.

Also Read: Impact Wrench Vs Breaker Bar

#Step 3: Set your preferred torque

The torque setting you make depends on the bolt or nut you’re tightening. For example, if you want to tighten the lug nuts of your car wheels, you need to set 100 lb-ft of torque. However, take note that different cars require different torque settings. Check with your car/bike manual for the correct measurement. To get to accurate measurements, turn the dial to move to the correct torque settings.

#Step 4: Twist the dial to make the exact adjustment

Once you reach close to your preferred number, slowly twist the dial and pay close attention to the dial’s height. Check the readings and rotate the dial until you reach your preferred reading. If you turn the dial anticlockwise, the number goes down, but the number goes up if you turn it clockwise.

#Step 5: Determine the correct torque

After you have twisted the indicator dial to the exact number, you need to determine the total torque. You can choose the correct torque by adding the smaller numbers on your handle to the large numbers located on the dial. For example, if the larger number reads 100 and the smaller number in the dial reads 8, you need to sum them up (100 +8= 108) to determine the total torque.

When determining the total torque, you can also add the negative numbers. For example, if the dial is at -2 and the hash mark is at 100, you can add them (-2+100 = 98) to determine the total torque.

#Step 6: Fasten the knob to lock the torque wrench

You need to fasten the knob after reaching the correct torque. To do so, roll the locknut and turn it clockwise until it locks the handle into place. Securing the knob prevents the torque readings from changing. Remember that you can’t adjust the torque setting after fastening the knob.

#Step 7: Add the socket to tighten bolts and nuts

To fasten a bolt or a nut, you need to add a socket, an adapter, or an extender. Fit a socket that matches the size of your bolt or nut on the head of the torque wrench.

#Step 8: Use the torque wrench to fasten a bolt or nut

  • After placing the socket correctly, set the torque wrench on the bolt or nut you want to screw.
  • Hold your torque wrench with your non-dominant hand and use the other hand to guide the socket or extender to the bolt or nut.
  • For you to perfectly align the bolt or nut with the screw, use your hand to thread it. Next, tighten the bolt by moving the torque wrench clockwise.
  • Gently move the torque wrench clockwise until you hear a clicking sound. Clicking sound indicates that you’ve reached the required torque level.

Wrap up

Torque wrenches come in different sizes and shapes, and you need to choose one that meets your needs. They are used to prevent the over-tightening of bolts and nuts that causes stripped threads, broken bolts, and damaged equipment. Setting up torque is easy, and if you still find it hard to set it up using the steps given above, you can tell your mechanic to help you.

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