How to Operate a Torque Tester

When it comes to automobile maintenance, a torque tester is one tool that far fewer motorists will think to operate. A torque tester is important due to the information it delivers on the tightness and relative wear of each and every one of the important bolts and screws in your vehicle. Much like an extra length on a socket wrench that houses a sensor and torque gauge, a torque tester allows you to properly maintain the safety and longevity of your vehicle. These tools are very expensive, but many companies rent them out for agreeable rates.

Step 1 - Surface Torque Tests

To start, you should go over all of the easy-to-reach parts of the car that require torque testing. This may include, but not be limited to, attachments between rear view mirrors and door panels, door panel and chassis junction, wheel nuts and all other attachments beneath the interior plastic. Review the tools' guidebook so that you may calibrate properly. This will ensure that you obtain as accurate a reading as is possible.

Step 2 - Removing Panels

You should remove the interior panels fully in order to reveal all bolts that need checking. If you are unsure as to how to remove any panels or any bolts that you have overlooked in your procedure, study the car's maintenance handbook in order to make sure that you do not infringe the safety of your vehicle later on.

Step 3 - Checking Engine Torque

Even though you will benefit greatly from testing the torque of your cars' hundreds of attachments, the real reason you would purchase or rent torque testing equipment is to check the car's engine torque. The torque produced by an engine is dynamic and you should not perform this task yourself unless you are fully aware of the location of the following beneath your car's hood.

Step 4 - Positioning Torque Sensor

Take your inline torque sensor and place it between the crankshaft and the flywheel, avoiding the flywheel's rotational inertia and transmission losses. This will produce a reading of your car's dynamic engine torque, a valuable figure that reports upon the strength of your car's engine and how efficient it is at transferring that engine power into propulsion. Though you may think a torque tester could be used for this, the rotational inertia of a torque drive line limits the user to inline measurement tools only.

Step 5 - Use Correct Tools

When measuring dynamic torque, ensure that you use the correct torque measuring tools. If you use the wrong ones (for example, using non-inline measuring tools when measuring dynamic engine torque), you stand a very good chance of  permanently weakening your vehicle's engine. Do not try if you are not confident of your engine's layout.

Safety Tips:

• When operating beneath the hood of an automobile, always wear protective gloves in order to prevent fingers getting caught in any painful situations.
• When tightening bolts using torque testers, do not worry about putting too much force on what is a very resilient tool. However, do make sure that you do it calmly and methodically, avoiding any slips.