What Are the Best Tools to Measure the Clearance Between Two Components?
Figuring the clearance between two components requires tools that give you measurements. Different types of tools can be used, depending on the precision required. Tighter tolerances require tools to gauge those tolerances and give you an accurate reading. If you do not require a specific measurement, a basic measuring tool can be used to calculate the clearance.
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Tape Measure
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A tape measure is the best tool to figure clearance between two components if an exact measurement is not required. The tool is less costly than the other tools and can be used for other applications. You can get a digital tape or use the basic tape edge. The tape edge is marked in inches and fractional inches, while the opposite side of the tape edge is marked in metric increments.
Calipers
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One of the best and most accurate measuring devices is the caliper. The device is used to measure the clearance between two components, as well as being capable of measuring the inside, outside and depth of other components. When measuring the clearance between two components, such as bearings, the calipers have smaller jaws that slip in between the components. Open the jaws until they contact with the edges of the two components. Calipers can have a digital readout or a dial indicator, both measure to the thousandth of an inch or even more precisely, depending on the caliper you purchase.
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Plastigauge
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The Plastigauge is a proprietary device to measure the clearance between machine parts. The tool gives you an accurate reading for the distance between components, such as machine bearings. Tear off a piece of Plastigauge. Tear away the paper and remove the Plastigauge. Insert the Plastigauge between the bearings or other components requiring measurements. The clearance will crush the Plastigauge. The paper that came with the Plastigauge has a scale on the edges. Compare the crushed plastic with the scale. The scale measures to the thousandths.
Feeler Gauges
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One of the best measuring tools is the feeler gauge. The gauge looks like thin metal shims. The tool has multiple blades of different measurements. Each blade is thinner than the next blade, so you can measure the clearance between two components. The gauge is often used to measure the distance between an engine valve and cylinder. However, the tool can be used to measure the clearance between components that are difficult to reach with other measuring tools. The typical feeler gauge measure clearances from .015 to .035 and generally has 32 blades.
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