Date: Wed, 10 Jul 2013 08:28:25 -0400
Reply-To: "kenneth wilford (Van-Again)" <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "kenneth wilford (Van-Again)" <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Oil plug
In-Reply-To: <10ADF45C-93DB-45D8-9E5C-B76EE6B30C00@yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
The things that I have been using my torque wrench on the most is Vanagon
wheels. I want them tight enough so that they don't fall off or cause
problems that way, but loose enough so that they can be taken off on the
side of the road if you get a flat with the stock tire wrench that VW
supplies (or equivalent). Most of the time when vans come in here for work
they have new tires and wheels installed (you guys love your bling!).
However these are usually put on with an air gun at the tire shop. There
is no way on earth you are going to get them off with the stock wrench in a
bind. Tight is good so ultra-tight must be the best. Not so much. You
can buy a 1/2" click type torque wrench from Habor Freight for less than
$20 that will do the trick. In fact it is so big and beefy, you might just
want to toss it under the back seat along with a 19mm deep socket for wheel
removal on the road. It ratchets and has a long handle for more leverage.
133ftlbs is the wheel fastener torque for those who were going to ask :-)
It is also in the Bentley Manual if you need to reference it.
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
On Wed, Jul 10, 2013 at 8:13 AM, Stuart Fedak <ve3smf@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > I have a small fleet of VW vehicles and I also use a 1/4 inch or 3/8
> drive torque wrench all the time. I am just a shade tree mechanic, but I
> look up all the torque specifications for everything on the engine.
> Aluminum parts and steel bolts are always very low torque items.
> >
> > I have learned that the time required to look up the torque
> specifications and use the correct torque wrench, is less than the time
> required to repair a stripped bolt hole. The Vanagon engine is full of
> aluminium engine parts bolted onto aluminium. You should be comfortable in
> conversion between foot pounds, inch pounds and how to correctly set the
> various size torque wrench. Also understand that a torque wrench is just
> to finish off the tightening job, and is not for general use. Once used,
> you need to release the torque wrench back to 0 to maintain the accuracy.
> >
> > Once you get to explore engine rebuilding, you will understand that a
> good torque wrench is your friend. You learn about torquing sequence, and
> why head bolts and other bolts can not be reused.
> >
> > Yes, there are folks who have been wrenching since they were 5 years old
> and can feel the difference of 0.5 ft lb of torque. Good for them. The
> rest of us mortals can learn this by actually using a torque wrench.
>
>
> Sent from my electronic umbilicus
>
> On 2013-07-10, at 7:30 AM, Bill Monk <billmonk@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> > Scott - I do use a torque wrench on the oil drain plug. Especially when
> > I am working on someone else's rig. I use a 1/4 or 3/8 drive shorty dial
> > torque wrench. The published spec is the same for all Vanagons with
> > stock motors. Drain plug: 18 ft-lbs
> > So your generalization that no one does is incorrect. By using a torque
> > wrench on it. I know for sure that it was done properly and I always put
> > a dab of inspectors lacquer when done. When I am working on one of
> > the several vans that I care for its also noted on the RO (repair order)
> > that it was done and the spec used.
> >
> > Bill M
> >
> >
> > On Jul 10, 2013, at 3:33 AM, Scott Ohana <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
> wrote:
> >
> >> But you don't use a torque wrench on vanagon drain plugs ..right ?
> >> No one does.
> >> not that I
>
--
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
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