Precision Instruments (PI) torque wrench higher tooth count mechanism desire

[308guru]

I’ve got a few PI micrometer torque wrenches and really like the quality and functionality but absolutely hate the low tooth count ratchet mechanisms. I’ve contacted PI and the say they are “working on an upgrade” but that’s been long in the making now and I’m beginning to doubt it will ever be a reality. Seems like a relatively quick and easy project.

I can’t make heads nor tails of the relationship (if there is one anymore) between Snapon, PI, and (maybe CDI?). Doesn’t matter no need to beat that horse but maybe a tie in helps with what I’m after.

My question is simply; Are there any ratchet repair kits that will fit the PI ¼”, 3/8”, and ½” heads to get me the higher tooth count I’m after? My 1/2” especially feels like it has about 4 teeth currently.

 

[Wamsutta]

Remove the cover plate and flood the compartment with Permatex 81950. The excess will leak out over time.

Your concerns of a low tooth count will melt away.

 

[308guru]

Remove the cover plate and flood the compartment with Permatex 81950. The excess will leak out over time.

Your concerns of a low tooth count will melt away.

Thanks, but I don't agree.

 

[Wamsutta]

Thanks, but I don't agree.

One of the roughest ratchets on the face of the earth is the MAC 30 tooth. I've turned those ratchets into absolute butter with the Permatex.

I'm talking about a night and day difference. Feels like a completely different ratchet. Don't knock it until you try it.

 

[308guru]

I'm not knocking it......as stated, I'm wondering if there is a higher tooth count repair kit that will fit/work in this head.

 

[AEAdam]

Can you tell us more about why you want this? First reason that came into my mind was working in a restricted swing area. But really, you shouldn't use a torque wrench in a restricted swing area. You really want to hit your target torque while moving, not immediately after a ratchet.

My SO wrenches all seem to have 32tooth heads. I think the new ones are dual 80s. Not sure the reason beyond they are utilizing whatever components are in current production.

 

[308guru]

I'm frustrated with the amount of swing. Mainly used on lugs and brake/suspension fasteners (where I'm routinely running out of room). At the end of this 25" torque wrench it's a lot of movement, or at least more than I would like. The 1/4" is equally frustrating when working on underhood/engine fasteners.

 

[GX460DIYguy]

Can you tell us more about why you want this? First reason that came into my mind was working in a restricted swing area. But really, you shouldn't use a torque wrench in a restricted swing area. You really want to hit your target torque while moving, not immediately after a ratchet.

My SO wrenches all seem to have 32tooth heads. I think the new ones are dual 80s. Not sure the reason beyond they are utilizing whatever components are in current production.

It’s good to have. I’ve got performance suspension on my suv and when greasing the bushings you only have so much room between the bottom of the fender and the larger tires. Getting 90ft lbs with a 36 tooth torque wrench can be a hassle.

 

[Steve_P]

Remove the cover plate and flood the compartment with Permatex 81950. The excess will leak out over time.

Your concerns of a low tooth count will melt away.

You somehow fail to realize that math cannot be conquered by lubricants.

 

[GX460DIYguy]

You somehow fail to realize that math cannot be conquered by lubricants.

Yeah it’ll make it smoother, but it’s not gonna grab another tooth any quicker.

 

[Callelle]

I think it's a valid complaint. There are torque wrenches that are every bit as good, if not better, than those coming out of CDI / PI (tool truck heads aside). Taiwanese offerings from Icon, Capri, Tekton are honestly just better. Even some of the scamazon chicom offerings are.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Can you tell us more about why you want this? First reason that came into my mind was working in a restricted swing area. But really, you shouldn't use a torque wrench in a restricted swing area. You really want to hit your target torque while moving, not immediately after a ratchet.

My SO wrenches all seem to have 32tooth heads. I think the new ones are dual 80s. Not sure the reason beyond they are utilizing whatever components are in current production.

I can only speak of automotive - very few fasteners have even 90 degrees of unobstructed path to torque. Many pieces of service info will have you torquing things with maybe a 30 degree swing or less. Simply is no other option than fine tooth ratchet heads on torque wrenches. I've gone like two teeth at a time on an 72 tooth head. By the time you take the slack out of the fastener interface, any extensions, and the mechanism itself, that's all you have left.

 

[dnschmidt]

This is why PI *****. They haven't improved their product in about 50 years. If ICON, Tekton, and Capri put them out of business they will have nobody to blame but themselves. Our motto in the semiconductor industry was "innovate or die." why it should be any different in the tool market escapes me.

 

[GX460DIYguy]

This is why PI *****. They haven't improved their product in about 50 years. If ICON, Tekton, and Capri put them out of business they will have nobody to blame but themselves. Our motto in the semiconductor industry was "innovate or die." why it should be any different in the tool market escapes me.

I can kind of understand what they haven’t. I see their torque wrenches mainly in retail tire shops so I know they buy a lot of them and they have less need for higher tooth counts. Not innovating saves them money when they sell a lot just to discount tire. They’re missing out on other markets though as the price point and quality level are great for diy guys.

 

[AEAdam]

I hear you guys. Just keep in mind what @Hohn tried to tell us. If you are in a space restricted area, torquing a bolt that may not be factory fresh, and you can't get more than a few teeth (10degrees or less), the torque wrench may not be doing much for you. I guess good that you are using one at all.

90degree swing is industry std. I'd probably be okay with 30degrees. Less than 10, hmmmm, not sure what you really have. I think the engineering concern would be too little preload due to increased static friction and potential grit. Tho stick slip could cause the opposite effect - once you overcome that friction, you over torque.

I'm with you guys. I always wanted dual 80 heads on my torque wrenches and don't have them. Not sure if i can swap heads or not.

 

[Outahere]

Contact Team Torque in ND. Maybe they have the parts that can do what you want.

Team Torque

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I hear you guys. Just keep in mind what @Hohn tried to tell us. If you are in a space restricted area, torquing a bolt that may not be factory fresh, and you can't get more than a few teeth (10degrees or less), the torque wrench may not be doing much for you. I guess good that you are using one at all.

90degree swing is industry std. I'd probably be okay with 30degrees. Less than 10, hmmmm, not sure what you really have. I think the engineering concern would be too little preload due to increased static friction and potential grit. Tho stick slip could cause the opposite effect - once you overcome that friction, you over torque.

I'm with you guys. I always wanted dual 80 heads on my torque wrenches and don't have them. Not sure if i can swap heads or not.

I 100% agree. It's just the nature of the beast. Unless you intend to remove subframes, engines, etc for basic repairs you're not going to find much you can use at 90 degrees of swing. Spark plugs on some models probably. Some valve covers. Certainly nothing on the front of the engine, little in the suspension.

The torque wrench in those tight areas is about minimizing how incorrect the torque number is, not hitting an exact number. You'll get a 120ft/lb+ torque and you need a 3ft extension to even hit the fastener. Wrench pinned between the differential and the fuel tank. Service info says "torque bolts". But the service info and labor time indicate not removing anything but the wheel bearing bolts. In some.of these situations you can remove additional components for access but that's VERY messy as the cars get older and there's additional possibilities for collateral damage.

Ecotec 2.4 chain tensioner is a good example. Literally cannot be done without a flex head torque wrench, maybe 30 degrees tops of sweep on the back of the engine, you need a 3/8 wrench to hit the torque range. Only way you could ever spin 90 degrees is with the engine on the stand.

 

[A&P mechanic]

Older thread but wanted to contribute. I asked Team Torque in ND about upgrading my PI split beam and their reply is

"We are unable to provide this service for you. We do not have access to the tangs that we would need in order to change the ratchet kit to have a high tooth count."

I ran into an issue torqueing an upper rear shock bolt and wasn't able to get much swing. I have a full size tire under the Tacoma and ended up having to drop the tire to get the shock bolt torqued. I originally tried a 12 point socket but a higher tooth count ratchet would have been better. So, I am probably going to get the HFT split beam and will keep my PI as a back up secondary. Have a good weekend everyone!

 

[Steve_P]

Older thread but wanted to contribute. I asked Team Torque in ND about upgrading my PI split beam and their reply is

"We are unable to provide this service for you. We do not have access to the tangs that we would need in order to change the ratchet kit to have a high tooth count."

I ran into an issue torqueing an upper rear shock bolt and wasn't able to get much swing. I have a full size tire under the Tacoma and ended up having to drop the tire to get the shock bolt torqued. I originally tried a 12 point socket but a higher tooth count ratchet would have been better. So, I am probably going to get the HFT split beam and will keep my PI as a back up secondary. Have a good weekend everyone!

I looked into whether it was possible to upgrade my 30T? CDIs with the finer tooth snap on mechanism. I can't remember the details, but I determined that it wouldn't work, or wasn't financially worth it.

I ended up buying a 90T Icon 3/8 micrometer type flex head and am quite happy with it, especially for the $. If I was buying today, I'd start with the Icons.

As said, sometimes 30 teeth isn't enough in a cramped space.

 

[Vinny]

I know the struggle having worked on brakes. Some of those bracket bolts are in difficult to reach spots. Sometimes I've just jacked the car waaaaay up so I could get more swing! Or a goofy set up of extensions and universal joints to put me in a position to swing on. Just the nature of the beast. I ended up buying an array of different size torque wrenches to fit it various applications. Mechanics buddies ask me why I have so much overlap with them and torque values, and I tell them it's the bolt position not the torque value I'm chasing.

 

[dnschmidt]

Want to upgrade your PI split beams. BUY ICON. They will be having a special during their 12 days of Christmas promotion. (See the latest Den of Tools video, yes I know looking at that guy will cause you to heave but sometimes to get a deal that's the price you have to pay.) they HF is having 40% off on their split beam torque wrench on one of these 12 days. This lowers the price to $60. Cheaper than you could buy a rebuild kit for that PI dog you've got.

 

[A&P mechanic]

Want to upgrade your PI split beams. BUY ICON. They will be having a special during their 12 days of Christmas promotion. (See the latest Den of Tools video, yes I know looking at that guy will cause you to heave but sometimes to get a deal that's the price you have to pay.) they HF is having 40% off on their split beam torque wrench on one of these 12 days. This lowers the price to $60. Cheaper than you could buy a rebuild kit for that PI dog you've got.

I agree, I saw the Harbor Freight 12 days of Christmas posted in the hot deals section and I’m planning to get (1) icon split beam and then I’ll try it out for a while before I make a decision to replace my other low tooth torque wrench. I did see the Icons are made in Taiwan.

 

[Monte]

with 80 teeth from Snap-On No need to buy Icon

 

[GX460DIYguy]

with 80 teeth from Snap-On No need to buy Icon

I wish they’d release this in 3/8s

 

[A&P mechanic]

Picked up the Icon ½ torque wrench today for $80 to replace my low tooth count ½ drive torque wrench. I’m going to try out the Icon for a year to see if I like it better than my PI. If I like it, I will also replace my 3/8” inch Precision Instruments torque wrench next year when it goes on sale again. I noticed the flip lever is not as strong on the Icon versus the PI. I loosened a lug nut this morning and tightened it. So far, I like the Icon wrench because it has more teeth than the PI. It is made in Taiwan.

I was at Harbor Freight before they opened. There was a couple people waiting at the door for the sale. Nobody went to the torque wrench aisle except me, they all bought the regular wrenches instead. So there’s probably still the discounted toque wrenches available for the 12 days of Christmas sale.

 

[Steve_P]

I also picked up the 1/2 Icon flex head micrometer clicker today because of the sale. I got there at 9ish and they had at least five on the shelf, which surprised me. Oh, I checked before I left home and it said in stock. The guys in front of me at the checkout had nothing Icon, just the typical junk. Guy behind me had an Icon wrench set, couldn't see what style. I was surprised that there wasn't an early run on the torque wrenches at my store, or apparently any icon wrenches as there were no empty hooks in the wrench area. When I was paying, the cashier said, "this is a hell of a deal. Where was this sale on Black Friday?"

 

[A&P mechanic]

I also picked up the 1/2 Icon flex head micrometer clicker today because of the sale. I got there at 9ish and they had at least five on the shelf, which surprised me. Oh, I checked before I left home and it said in stock. The guys in front of me at the checkout had nothing Icon, just the typical junk. Guy behind me had an Icon wrench set, couldn't see what style. I was surprised that there wasn't an early run on the torque wrenches at my store, or apparently any icon wrenches as there were no empty hooks in the wrench area. When I was paying, the cashier said, "this is a hell of a deal. Where was this sale on Black Friday?"

The cashier said the same thing and he was not aware the torque wrenches were on the 12 days of Christmas sale also. Glad you were able to pick one up also.

 

[Fedwrench]

The shelves were empty of Icon Torque wrenches and most Icon wrench sets at my local Harbor Freight an hour after opening today. I brought the SKUs for the Split Beam Torque wrench & the long reach cutters with me and a Harbor Freight employee was nice enough to retrieve one of each from the back storage area. For $83.99 before tax, it's a great deal to me.

 

[Steve_P]

At my local HF store there were signs all over the wrench aisle with the 40% sale posted. Surprised me. When I went to pay, I sat the torque wrench down on the counter and didn't even have time to pull up the coupon on my phone before the cashier scanned a coupon he had at the register. Thanks. They also had a bunch of Icon wrench sets behind the register for some reason. One of the guys in front of me got one of the micro toolboxes, which was behind the register, for some reason. I don't know if he called and asked them to save one for him, or ???

My store didn't have the long reach cutters on display, and the Icon plier area was mostly bare except for a few of the pipe wrenches. But they had plenty of Icon wrenches, ratchets, and torque wrenches.