Does anyone know where I can find a beam-type torque wrench that will read under 20 in lbs preferably in 1 in lb increments? I'm trying to set the pinion bearing preload in a 9-bolt and can't find such a wrench anywhere. Thanks in advance for anyhelp you can provide.

 

i use a dial type, but i bet you're looking to save money on what will be a one use tool. i'd look at sears, northern tool, mc master-carr ( but i bet it ain't cheap there) and e bay might be a place to find one.

 

I bought mine from Matco Tools.

 

I have forgotten the part number, but there is a KD tools beam-type wrench like you are looking for... You can get it through O'Reillys for about $40 iirc..

 

Ede, yeah, I definately don't want to spend $150 on a tool that I'd end up using a handful of times, although the dial type would certainlty be the tool of choice. Sears only has the ft lb beam, Northern doesn't have it either. McMaster-Carr has exactly what I'm looking for, but they want more than the dial type. If I can't find this thing for a reasonable price, I think you may be right about ebay.

Tom, I checked Matco as well and may have found what I need. It's a 0-50 in lb beam type(part# DR50I). But here is no info on the increments. I'm going to call customer service on monday when they open to find out, and to see where I can buy one(no info on that either).

Thirdgen, I know of the KD wrench that you are talking about, but it goes up in 2.5 in lb increments. I was hoping to get one with a more accurate scale on it. But if all else fails, That seriously may be the road I'll take.

Thank you everyone for your help, I truly appreciate it.

 

My 0-50 Matco is in 2 lb. increments. But the space between marks seems to be wide enough that it would be easy to split them.

 

If it's easy to split the space, I can certainly use that one. Did you buy that at a local shop or at a national chain? I'm asking because I'm in NJ.

 

Got it off the tool truck running around town. Actually, he had to order it for me. Don't know if they have stores or not.

 

Yeah, I wasn't sure if Matco was sold in any store. If not, I'll just register on the site and order it direct. I'd rather take the Matco over the KD because of the smaller increments. I'm not really having any luck finding anything reasonable besides those two. After two months of looking for this thing, I think it's time to just buy one. The bearings, etc. will be here next week so time's running out. Thanks a lot for your help, much appreciated.

 

I couldn't find one locally for the life of me. I just ended up doing it by feel. If you can't turn it by hand, it's too tight, if you can feel slop while pulling on it, it's too loose... Worked for me, but I was using a solid pinion spacer.

 

I don't trust myself enough to do it without the wrench, although I know of a lot of people who do it your way. Also, I'm using the crush sleeve. I'm literally just about to call Matco as soon as I log out. If they make it easy on me I'll order it before I get off the phone. Otherwise it's KD. I'll leave it up to them. Thanks man.