150 FT Pound Torque Wrench..

[Bernard Littau]

> I plan to replace the left-front axle on my 88 5ksq this week end.  The
> Bentley specifies 207 foot pounds as the torque spec for re-installing the
> axle nut...and I only have a 150 foot pound torque wrench.  I priced out a
> gorgeous 250 foot pound unit at Snap-On ($200.00) but due to the
infrequency
> of use I suspect it's an impractical and dangerous strategy...my wife
would
> kill me.  Any BTDT's on using a pipe as an extension...?  TIA

I mulled over this for weeks as I was preparing for the front bearing and
timing belt jobs.  Now that the expense has had time to fade, I am happy
with the decision to get the tool.  If it helps, I usually justify (at least
to myself) that the sum of my parts and tools costs rarely exceed the cost
of having the dealer do the job.

I went ahead and bought the 0-600 ft-lbs, four foot long, clicker type
torque wrench from Harbor Freight for $180.  It was steep in price for the
number of uses, true, but it makes the axle nuts and crank pulley a breeze
to torque to spec.  I used it for the front shock threaded cap at 133
ft-lbs, too.

Another downside besides the expense (and the wife's, er, comments :-) is
the torque wrench above is 3/4 inch drive.  I had to pick up a 3/4 to 1/2
adapter to use the 2069 tool for the threaded cap.

Best,

Bernard Littau
Woodinville, WA
'88 5ktq