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Spark Plug Torque Wrench
Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 8:03 pm
by Falco9
You live and learn, because in all my years wielding spanners I've either been completely ignorant or blind because I never knew such a tool existed!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SYKES-PICKAVANT-F ... 255613e8f8
So if your worried about that giving that spark plug the extra half turn when installing them, then this could be a great tool for you
Unless of course everyone reading this is already aware of them and wondering how I've been in the dark for so long!
F9

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 8:20 pm
by Samray
RRP: £45.98

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 8:58 pm
by back_marker
Why bother? It's just a preset torque wrench that doesn't even come with a plug socket. Better off just buying an adjustable one if you're that bothered about it.
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 2:25 am
by BikerGran
Never uinderstood why people need a torque wrench anyway if they have any sort of 'feel' for mechanicking!
As for plugs - I was always taught finger tight then just 'nip it up'. Works every time for me.
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:30 am
by fastasfcuk
as biker says,the only time i use one is for cyl heads and the axle nuts on the falco.
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 10:12 am
by D-Rider
Nope - never heard of one and see no value in getting one.
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 11:13 am
by Falco9
D-Rider wrote:Nope - never heard of one and see no value in getting one.
I'm of the same opinion Andy, never needed one and never had a problem, so why do I have this overwhelming desire to buy one now I know they exisit???
I think I'm being slowly seduced to the idea of just
knowing all the my spark plugs would be bang on the 18nm setting
Wierd eh? still for those who do worry about these things (and I know plenty of people who have stripped spark plug threads) this will be a nice little tool box addition and its only a tenner!
F9

Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 11:20 am
by Samray
and its only a tenner!
+ a fiver postage?
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 11:27 am
by Falco9
Samray wrote:and its only a tenner!
+ a fiver postage?
Good point I hadn't looked at that yet........Standard eBay seller tactic these days isn't it? charge 50% of the value of the sale item in postage costs
Mind you I sent a 17" LCD monitor via the post yesterday (2nd class) and it cost nearly a tenner!!!! I vaguely remember when the post was reasonably cheap
F9

Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:56 pm
by back_marker
BikerGran wrote:Never uinderstood why people need a torque wrench anyway if they have any sort of 'feel' for mechanicking!
As for plugs - I was always taught finger tight then just 'nip it up'. Works every time for me.
Unfortunately I'm a fully paid up member of the "tweak it... tweak it... tweak it... bugger" club and frequently use a torque wrench to stop myself over tightening things.
It's quite surprising how little torque is needed on some bolts, to the point that i have often overtightened bolts before I've got the torque wrench out to torque them up.
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 9:23 pm
by Falcopops
back_marker wrote:Unfortunately I'm a fully paid up member of the "tweak it... tweak it... tweak it... bugger" club and frequently use a torque wrench to stop myself over tightening things.
It's quite surprising how little torque is needed on some bolts, to the point that i have often overtightened bolts before I've got the torque wrench out to torque them up.
Yup, that's me that is

Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 9:57 pm
by fastasfcuk
the thing is with torque renches they should be calibrated regulally. not all can be and at that price i doubt it can be so your not going to be sure and holding your breath.
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 1:30 pm
by Fausto
And the thing with spark plugs is that most of the time just 'giving them a quick twist and it should be ok' is fine where they are easy to access so you can retighten if they come loose but those buggers in the front cylinder need to be fit and forget so I would spend a little time making sure I got it right.
Having said that I am happy with the finger tight until the washer bites then a quarter turn with a wrench technique

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 2:13 pm
by D-Rider
Fausto wrote:And the thing with spark plugs is that most of the time just 'giving them a quick twist and it should be ok' is fine where they are easy to access so you can retighten if they come loose but those buggers in the front cylinder need to be fit and forget so I would spend a little time making sure I got it right.
Having said that I am happy with the finger tight until the washer bites then a quarter turn with a wrench technique

I think the "finger tight + a quarter" is not necessarily a good guide in all circumstances.
The plugs come with a washer that gets crushed on first fitment. Therefore, the strain of the "+ a quarter" will be very different on subsequent fitments - after you've removed to inspect/clean.
I use my inbuilt "tighten 'till it feels right" gauge - seldom have a problem with that (never on a plug ..... so far).
I use a torque wrench for some things - particularly where things need to be torqued down evenly - but wherever practical I do it by feel.
(Oh I do hope that last statement doesn't get Aladinsaneuk and Jadaris over-excited again)
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 2:19 pm
by Aladinsaneuk
you can remember that far back?[/quote]