How Do You Use an OEM Torque Angle Gauge?
Tightening and adjusting bolts to a specified torque value is necessary on most of the components installed in your automobile, regardless of make and model. Proper torque ensures that any component you may need to replace -- water pump, cylinder head, steering pump -- is installed correctly for proper operation and long service life. The most common way to provide correct torque is with a torque wrench and a torque angle gauge. Armed with these tools, you can replace almost any component in your vehicle and make sure that it is tightened correctly.
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Things You'll Need
- Die tool, if necessary
- Six-point socket
- Ratchet
- Service manual
- Torque wrench
- Torque angle gauge
Instructions
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1
Clean the threads on the bolts you are going to install with a die tool of the correct size, if necessary, to get rid of dried oil, grease and dirt. This will prevent damage to the threads and help in properly adjusting the bolt to the correct angle torque.
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2
Start the bolts by hand on the component you are installing and tighten the bolts snugly with a six-point socket and ratchet.
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3
Tighten the bolts on the component to the right torque as specified in the service manual for your particular vehicle. Use the six-point socket and torque wrench. If specified by your particular service manual, torque the bolts evenly in three steps, following the sequence indicated. This means that you will torque all the bolts to 1/3 of their required torque first, than to 2/3 of the required torque and finally to the specified torque.
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4
Place the six-point socket on the first bolt in the sequence suggested in your service manual. Install the torque angle gauge on the socket and the torque wrench in the square drive on the center of the angle gauge.
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5
Turn the torque wrench clockwise as you watch the needle on the torque angle gauge. When the needle points to the degree on the scale specified by your service manual, stop turning the bolt and remove the torque wrench, torque angle gauge and socket.
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6
Finish adjusting the torque angle on the rest of the bolts following the sequence indicated in your service manual as described in steps 4 and 5.
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References
- Photo Credit ratchet kit image by Igor Shootov from Fotolia.com
