torquing round corners

[MoreWellie]

I am refitting bits like the inlet manifold back on to a K series in an mgf so access is pretty restricted and it occurred to me that if I could find a flexible extension that would take torques of up to 25nm it would help enormously. Due to the design of the plastic manifold it isn't practical to use a standard UJ

Does such a thing exist or are they all useless for any torqueing purposes?

ideally 3/8 have been looking at this sort of thing http://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/...aptor-Set-2Pc-1-4Insq-150Mm-And-3-8Insq-200Mm

 

[123hotchef]

I don't think the whole force is applied to the fastening when using such devices so if it is a critical torque setting it will be inaccurate

 

[Burdekin]

Torque equals force x distance. You will be adding more length to the torque wrench so won't be accurate. Also applying a constant force might be hard with that adaptor, so might also make things a bit sketchy.

 

[steveo3002]

dont get too hung up on torque settings for stuff like that ....nip em with a sensible sized ratchet or spanner and its good to go

engine internals and head bolts yes torque them

 

[MoreWellie]

I was hoping to find that they would be ok up to a certain torque and then twist but no make that I could see mentioned a figure so I think you are right

 

[MoreWellie]

dont get too hung up on torque settings for stuff like that

I was trying to do it "right" but will torque the ones I can get to and try and do others the same by feel

I asked because there might be extensions that were made with a series of small UJs and I just didn't know about them

 

[armalites]

With that kind of thing I suspect that the main aim isn't for a fixing to be at exactly 30Nm or whatever it is, it's more about them all being equal so that stresses are evenly applied across a series of fixing. The torque figures on smaller fixing again are probably more about people not snapping them.

I cyclinder head with stretch bolts is a different matter even then I suspect an "Old school" mechanic could get them pretty close without using a torque wrench.

Personally I would say if you are doing any with a spanner then maybe do them all the same way. It will be very difficult to get 2 similar using a torque wrench on one and a spanner on the other.

 

[steveo3002]

I was trying to do it "right" but will torque the ones I can get to and try and do others the same by feel

I asked because there might be extensions that were made with a series of small UJs and I just didn't know about them

dont worry ...no ones engine ever died beacuse they didnt use a torque wrench on the inlet, the figures are for brand new minty clean bolts and holes anyway not 20 year old toot

a firm nip on a spanner will be about right

 

[pedrobedro]

Same as some cylinder base bolts on a bike engine where you have to use a crow's foot to get on them so the reading is going to be wrong. 25nm is about 18 ft lb so it's not that tight barely more than nipped up.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

I know them bolts/nuts you mean.
The good Book says do it before engine is fitted.

Yea, right.

Nip them up tight, with the extension to the setting.
When engine is bean run and settled down, check them.
They will be loose.

 

[normspanners]

Torque equals force x distance. You will be adding more length to the torque wrench so won't be accurate.

?? how if it is an extension

 

[normspanners]

you will not get them to torque up through those flexi cable extensions

series of small UJs and I just didn't know about them

you can get uj ones but for accurate torque these are the best coz they are CV

but you wont want to buy them though coz they are quite dear at about £ 26 per small socket.

 

[Bill Edwards]

Well you can buy those joints with a 3/8, 1/2 etc male to go into your existing sockets, if space is available.

It's already been said that flexible extensions and UJ's aren't suitable for torquing and that inlet manifold bolts don't require that precision.
But what I thought I would add is that Snap-On have a range of electronic torque wrenches where there is a setting you adjust for the length of the socket and extension. So if you use a 6" extension bar you input it and the device makes an allowance for the twist over that length.

Personally although I can see that rigid extensions and deep sockets will theoretically have some degree of twist I think it's well over the top for 99% of jobs and isn't going to affect things on cars. Aircraft type stuff maybe but it's probably more of a gimmicky selling point.