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[PhilRich]

Does using an extension pole of any sort on a torque wrench alter the torque value?

[Webby the Bear]

you're not supposed to due to the torque that's lost between the joints of the extension, socket etc

that's what they say........

as for real life i'd say its best to torque something with an extension than not to torque it at all. obviously if youre torqueing head colts or camshaft bolts then i'd steer clear of them........... if you can 

[tunnie]

Yeah I'm told it makes them less accurate, but as in some situations they are a must. It's a better than guessing 

[chrisgixer]

Does using an extension pole of any sort on a torque wrench alter the torque value?

Ooh now, is this one of those Qi questions?

Not a relevant question IMO. As the length of the Handle, and therefor, size of the wrench is only applicable to the range of torque on the dial. So a bigger torque wrench is needed.

To answer...A torque wrench can only be over tightened, if tightening after the click. To do so with a longer handle would be idiotic to achieve a higher value.

But, a longer Handel does gives more torque on a ratchet, for instance. So it would on a torque wrench too.

Thing is, the whole point of a torque wrench is, that it is NOT over tightened.


Put another way, to achieve the desired torque on a t wrench the set figure would click out easier with a longer Handel. That would be the only reason to justify such a ....

...I'll leave it there.



Do you mean a torque wrench specifically, or just any tool with leverage? Spanners and ratchets etc?

[Kevin Wood]

Are you talking about an extension on the output or on the handle?

In either case, no. An extension bar might make it less easy to make an accurate torque, though, as you need to support the base of the wrench.

Crows foot sockets, or any other kind of offset adaptor will, but that can be compensated for.

[Webby the Bear]

hold on..... are we talking extending the handle? or using extensions which go In to sockets? lol

[Webby the Bear]

must type faster

[tunnie]

I read it as extension bar on the wrench, to reach said item to torque?

[chrisgixer]

If an extension on the Handle, to give a longer handle, in order give a higher value than that set, no.

[chrisgixer]

OI! Ya can't just stroll in, drop a hand grenade question, then clear off.

There's more questions than answers here

[TheBoy]

An extension on the handle allows you to exert more torque, but the torque wrench accuracy should be maintained.

An extension bar or very deep sockets do tend to affect its accuracy, not due to the extension itself, but the way you end up fannying around holding it all on. I work on the principle that if I don't need to support that end, its generally still accurate.

[PhilRich]

Sorry for going AWOL last night lads but I have a sick doggy who won't sleep unless you nurse her on your knee & constantly stroke her neck!
I'm aware that an extension bar between the tool and the bolt can alter the value if the attack angle is allowed to stray from normal. So to clarify, I meant an extension on the handle to give more leverage/less effort and a jerk free pull until correct torque is reached.
The reason for the question is this: Within months of buying my Desmond Saloon the Head Gasket failed. Had it skimmed, pressure tested etc at a reputable engineering company and the repair lasted for 3 years. less than 3 weeks after giving the car to my youngest stepson the Head failed again, which after some detective work & hard questioning was attributed to a coolant leak from the new thermostat I had supplied & his 'mate' had fitted, damaging the sealing ring! He had ignored the low coolant warning on the Dash & not lifted the bonnet since the 'repair'   
I had the head the skimmed by the bare minimum once again but was apprehensive as the 4 pot head is not supposed to be skimmed at all
Everything was cleaned and carefully refitted using new gaskets/head bolts etc including a new water pump, cambelt & tensioner kit (which I had bought for my 'new' estate) and she ran beautifully with no apparent issues for 1 whole week!
This time the HG failure appears to be far worse than the two previous times since coolant is lost almost as fast as you can put it in! While searching for a larger/longer torque wrench on 'tinternet, I happened on an article that inferred torque settings were badly affected by the use of any extension to the handle of the wrench and I wondered if this could have been the cause of the latest catastrophy
I have not had the Head stripped yet, so no visual evidence but have bought a second hand head from Steve at Omegaspareparts & yet another set of gaskets/bolts.
Sorry for the Epic post chaps, but a fuller picture gives a more reasoned response. Thanks for the replies so far, they are much appreciated                                

[Sir Tigger KC]

I can't really see an issue here Phil. 

An extension bar on the handle as you say, would just give you more leverage and make it easier to achieve the correct torque.  Just be careful not to over tighten. 

[Kevin Wood]

Surely the last couple of stages of head bolt tightening are by angle, so the torque wrench accuracy wouldn't have made a big impact anyway?

[cnj]

when I replaced the head gasket on our old 2.0ltr I did as kevin says and torqued up and then the finished off with an angle gauge. when I was on the last tightening session the pressure was so great I wondered whether I would shear the bolts off. I have in the past been told that if the heads are not angled up correctly that leads to premature failure of the head gasket. (if your lucky !)