1/2" or 3/8" Torque Wrench for Oil Change and Brake Work

[Adagosto]

Hi all,

I'm confused as to which route to take with buying a torque wrench. I have my eye on the AC Delco digital 1/2" TW with a range of 4-99 ft/lbs. The sweet spot of this tool seems to be right where my work will be with oil changes and brake work. The problem I am seeing is getting the sockets that fit the 1/2" male. For instance, the oil plug needs an 8mm hex socket and the appropriate tool is kinda hard to find whereas, the 3/8" drive 8mm hex is very common. Likewise, the M12 needed for caliper bolts is super easy to find for a 3/8" drive but not so much for the 1/2" drive.

So, how do you feel about using a 1/2" TW with the adaptor/reducers to get these jobs done?

My concern is that when you start adding additional fittings you do two things, you increase the distance the force is applied at the bolt and there may be some inherint inaccuracy introduced to the torque process.

Does any of this matter? Am I just being psyco anal and over analyzing this or is there merit to my concern.

It seems to me the most appropriate ft/lbs range I need to be in for this work is between 10-80. That's a reasonable range for a 3/8" TW. Its just that the AC Delco 1/2" TW had a slightly larger useful range and added a bit of power and leverage for some harder stuff. I would not use it for lug nuts, I'd get a dedicated one for that.

Thoughts?

[faverymi]

Sears has the craftsman wrenches on sale for christmas.

Why don't you get both?

BTW, I don't loose sleep over torque wrenches and adapters. Whatever you decided to use I'm sure it's going to work fine

[Johnny S]

The only use I have for my 1/2 torque wench is for the wheel bolts and suspension. Now I use the 3/8 size for everything else that needs torquing and sockets of 17mm or less. So yea, buy both sizes so you have the right tool for the job at hand. Most screwups are the result of the wrong tool being used.

[Mike80911]

It is ideal to have both and at $49 each from Sears you can get both for the price of one.

[rusnak]

Can't hurt to have both torque wrenches. BTW the socket to remove the oil filter housing will be either Hazet or Porsche. I bought the Hazet and it works great.