Torque wrenches - great piece of kit... NOT!!!

Message

Falco9 · #16 Post by **Falco9** » Wed May 13, 2009 8:53 am

Personally (and I mean personally) the magnetic bolt is the last place I would use the troque wrench. The bolt is under no pressure and is in a stress free environment.

Once you get the bolt out (not easy I know, have you thought about drilling and helicoiling or even spark erosion?) refit up to finger tight and apply no more than 1/2 turn (if that) it only needs "nipping" up IMHO and if you can find a suitable copper washer to go behind it so much the better. (it doesn't have a copper washer does it?, I can't remember)

I ran my Falco (2 oil changes a year for 5 yrs) doing this and no problems the magnetic bolt came out easily every time. I am an engineer by trade (a mechanical one) so I do appreciate that the term "nipping" up is a loose one to someone who is less experienced at spanner twirling in general.

Torque wrenches vary in quality enourmously, Just last week I read Ride magazine had bought one from Machine Mart (Clarks) now I normally buy their gear as it normally good quality without breaking the bank, but the wrench they bought sheared off 4 bolts when used on the factory setting and is now in the bin it was that bad

No offence to my american friends but this reliance on using a torque wrench for "every" nut and bolt on a bike does seem to stem from the USA. In the engine, yes every time, but if you don't know when a wheel nut or a spak plug is tight enough I reckon you should leave it to a mechanic (this comment is not aimed at you dyzio but a general one)

When I mentioned this on the AF1 forum I was bombarded with comments about "not being safe" , "If your wheel falls off you've only yourself to blame" etc.... Well I'm approaching 40yrs of biking on & off road, and many years in competition trials riding as well, and I've never lost a nut or bolt off a bike yet

Just my two pennies worth. Sorry it doesn't really answer the question, but seriously as you tighten the bolt I reckon you will know when it is tight enough just from the feel

F9

Chabby · #17 Post by **Chabby** » Wed May 13, 2009 4:14 pm

I know where you're coming from Falco but the crappy drain plug has a hex hole which neither my metric or imperial allen keys will fit - too big for a 6 and nowhere near a 7.

It would be a lot easier to judge if you weren't worried about rounding off the hole.

Why is it not a 10 or 12mm hex head?

Fausto · #18 Post by **Fausto** » Wed May 13, 2009 5:22 pm

Sounds like yours is distorted by overtightening/loosening. I agree with Falco9's comments about tightening by feel and would recommend replacing the bolt and doing it by hand in future.

Samray · #19 Post by **Samray** » Wed May 13, 2009 5:34 pm

Mine get tightened by feel, and often with a bolt head when the appropriate allen key goes walkabout.

dyzio · #20 Post by **dyzio** » Wed May 13, 2009 6:16 pm

Thanks for all replies and suggestions.
Bike's home now, plug drilled out, my wallet 20 quid lighter and me aged 5 years in the past 2 days :D

I was told they didn't drill all the way through it so I don't have to worry about filings.

The new plug should arrive tomorrow. No torque wrench this time.

Falcopops · #21 Post by **Falcopops** » Wed May 13, 2009 9:24 pm

Falco9 · #22 Post by **Falco9** » Wed May 13, 2009 10:19 pm

dyzio wrote:Thanks for all replies and suggestions.
Bike's home now, plug drilled out, my wallet 20 quid lighter and me aged 5 years in the past 2 days :D

I was told they didn't drill all the way through it so I don't have to worry about filings.

The new plug should arrive tomorrow. No torque wrench this time.

Excellent result, from the look of it I thought it might be a more wallet damaging job but £20 is a bargain.

I remember one Falco owner overtightening his front sprocket bolt and doing the same as you, The bolt sheared about 3/4 the way dowm..............Now that took some serious money to put right (and that is one bolt you do want to use a (good) torque wrench on (with loctite)

F9

dyzio · #23 Post by **dyzio** » Sat May 16, 2009 6:23 pm

Got the plug, fitted, how the feck have I managed to snap that... no leaks, for now (touch wood).

sabestian · #24 Post by **sabestian** » Sat May 16, 2009 9:49 pm

Falco9 wrote: I remember one Falco owner overtightening his front sprocket bolt and doing the same as you, The bolt sheared about 3/4 the way dowm..............Now that took some serious money to put right (and that is one bolt you do want to use a (good) torque wrench on (with loctite)

F9

Oh, you mean like that?

That was easy.

It cost a few quid for drill bits and a few gray hair.

Finding the washer, however, well, that's a different story.

Edit: this bolt is made of a really soft steel. I mean really soft. Buttery soft.