Questions about using a dial gauge torque wrench

[jgelack]

I bought a PMI 0-600 inch/lb dial gauge torque wrench to use for working on my motorcycle. I have a question, and I hope I can explain this correctly, I have noticed that when using the wrench once I reach the specified torque "according to the needle" on the dial, and I release tension on the ranch, the needle returns to "0" as it should, however the memory pointer remains slightly below the specified torque. So I'm thinking maybe I haven't actually reached my specified torque and I'm not sure whether or not I need to apply more torque. In order to get the memory pointer to rest on the specified torque I noticed that the needle on the dial go slightly above this torque value. The needle on the dial does seem to be very sensitive to ANY tension applied to the wrench, and it does seem like it takes a certain amount of pressure from the needle to move the memory pointer to the desired torque and keep it there. The wrench does not seem to be broken, just very sensitive. So I guess my question is with this type of wrench, do I go by the needle on the dial or the memory pointer to determine when I reach the specified torque? I really appreciate any advice you guys can give me.

 

[469 runner]

I go by where the needle is to reach specified torque. Sometimes I will use the "memory" just to make it easier to read as I approach this figure.

 

[gdocktor3]

I'd go by the actual needle and not the memory marker. You can always rent one from Auto Zone to compare yours to, then return it and get money back.

 

[T45]

The memory function is an estimator...not an indicator...that's how I would think of it.

ie, your indicator should be the certified/calibrated part of the unit

 

[Balor]

jgelack use only the indicator on your dial torque wrench. By the way are you are you working on the rockers?rngr1

 

[jgelack]

Thanks for the advice guys. From now.on, I will only use the needle on the gauge. Thanks again!