Torque Wrench Needed For Exhaust Installs?
 

I'm a noob when it comes to working on exhausts since the only ones I've ever had were welded from the header to the tips. Do I need a Torque Wrench for the bolts on the clamps? If anything I know it would be a low in/lbs or ft/lbs for the bolts with the wrench or should I just go in with a regular ratchet/socket combo? I've got a badass Kobalt ratchet that has the gears in it which you just twist, kind of like the Kobalt screwdriver I have as well. Works awesome in tight areas with no movement.

I'm about to install my Nameless Axleback and just wondered if I should bother with a torque wrench or not. I just want no leaks and the proper tightening to be done.

I'm a noobie so take my advice with a grain of salt. I also installed a Nameless Axleback myself (Check my journal!) and just hand tightened. It's been about 3 months and the bolts aren't going to budge.

I was also worried about torquing the bolt... but the real problem ended being the freakin rubber gaskets!

However, I do recommend getting a torque wrench to install almost everything else! I bought a cheap one off Amazon and it's been working great. (And yes, I have checked it's calibration and it's spot on)

PS You'll love the exhaust!

Yeah, I looked at a few Torque Wrenches. I'd love a Snap-ON, lol, but pricewise and the amount I would use it would not make it worth it. Can't decide on 3/8 or 1/2 because some of them have a huge ft/lbs difference in what they can handle. The Harbor Freight version looks cheap, but the digital Craftsman 3/8 looks pretty nice. I think I would get more use out of a 3/8 because I won't be doing serious engine work that would require greater than 80 ft/lbs.

Can't wait to get the Axleback!

I've got a 3/8ths as well as a 1/2 - the 3/8ths mostly because I needed a wrench that could do less than 20 ft-lbs for some of the work I've done (including v-clamps for a catback). But yeah, get a torque wrench if you plan on doing anything with any car.

I'll probably end up snagging the Craftsman Dr. Digi 3/8 then to start with and get the 1/2 down the road if I need something for suspension/pulley bolts, etc. Thanks for all the help guys!

Just to let you know that harbor freight is running a deal on the 3/8 Pittsburg pro for $12.99... I thought it was a great price also jack stands for $14. You just need to print out the online coupon which also comes with a 20% off that I added to the wrench

I have a 1/4", 2 3/8"s and a 1/2". You'll need the 1/2" for some stuff generally (axle nuts, etc) but a 3/8" that goes up to at least 90 ft lbs is a good all around torque wrench if you just want one. I can cover 5 in-lbs up to 250ft-lbs with the ones I have :thumbup:

For exhaust, I'll sometimes torque the header bolts.. that's it.

Yeah, if anything, I would be torquing the header bolts once I get that. I think the 3/8 will be a great starter torque wrench for me, then I'll grab the 1/2 as necessary for bigger projects.

I just wanted to make sure the clamps are secure without overtightening the bolts or stripping them.

No all you need is a socket wrenches. I just took off my mid pipe and exhaust. I'm not sure about your front pipe and headers

Just have to calibrate your elbow. Anything going into the engine block or anything that rotates I'd torque to spec. Anything else is gudentite.

I'm snagging the Harbor Freight clicking one for 10 bucks after that coupon... hard to pass up even if it does break, but I won't be using it very often so it may work out best for me.

Don't cheap out on a torque wrench. You are buying it so you can do things right, what's the point if you buy one that will be completely out of spec after 1 little drop? Most of those cheapie chinese wrenches are way out of spec right out of the box. Buy a quality wrench (craftsman, snapon, mac) and get it calibrated every few years or after a big drop.

Some background: I used to work in a precision measurement lab and I've calibrated torque wrenches amongst other things.

Yeah, I've been considering the Craftsman one for 100 bucks, the digital one. I've got an entire mechanic 255 pc set from Craftsman already and I love it. I have never used a torque wrench before and I have heard many say "Go with the digital" ones due to the accuracy. Quality wise, I can image the Craftsman being up there.

Snap-ons are the best in the world, hands down, but come with a hefty price tag. :(

I don't think Ive bought anything from harbor freight that lasted more than a few months. I use a craftsman torque wrench has not let me down for the past 3 years. I usually recalibrate it every 2 months.

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