Torque Angle Gauge?

[BigE]

I had to replace a set of heads a few years ago and I purchased a cheap torque angle gauge from a big box parts store (AA, AZ, etc. - can't remember). It didn't work well at all. It relied on friction to keep the gauge 'in place' when turning the bolt but, more often than not, it failed to do so. It made it very difficult to torque to the required angle confidently. I have another head replacement I have to do that will also require use of a torque angle gauge (unless I go with aftermarket non-TTY bolts). I will be doing it in the truck so I have to be able to clear brake booster/AC with it on a wrench/ratchet. That being said, does anyone have a recommendation of a specific torque angle gauge that you know works well? Snap-On, MAC, etc.?

Edit - Just to add information, the work I'm doing now requires the head bolts to be torqued in 3 steps. Step 1 is a torque value. Step 2 is an additional 90 degrees. Step 3 (final) is an additional 70 degrees.

 

[Olafur]

I use coarse tooth ratchet and just count teeth. Easy math to figure out how many teeth certain angle is. Using 24/32/36 tooth ratchets gives 6/8/9 clicks for 90°

First you align the handle to where your swing will END and take notice where the shaft is pointing under light force (next bolt or whatever for reference). Then back up and count the clicks and take the handle back to the END position. In limited space you can perhaps only move 2-3 clicks each time but what matters is the total number of clicks before the shaft is in the final END position.

This method is very accurate if done with care. Longer ratchets are better.

 

[MLB0611]

Paint pen, mark head of bolt and head and crank until reached degrees, works well on 90° but if it is 56° or some other odd number best bet is a tech angle from snap on

 

[guy48065]

Saw this in another thread here. Little pricey at $80 but a big advantage in being able to stick it on in a visible spot on the wrench--esp. when working in the engine bay.

http://www.brownlinemetalworks.com/digital-angle-gauge-ratchets-wrenches-backlit-display

 

[iajonesy]

Not trying to hi-jack this thread, but how does a torque angle gauge work or why is it used? Thanks for any help.

Mike

 

[Ruger_556]

Saw this in another thread here. Little pricey at $80 but a big advantage in being able to stick it on in a visible spot on the wrench--esp. when working in the engine bay.

http://www.brownlinemetalworks.com/digital-angle-gauge-ratchets-wrenches-backlit-display

I have one of those, works fine. If it's just a 90 degree turn the paint pen method works fine also. Then I bought a C-Tech torque wrench... That's pretty sweet.

 

[tt350z]

Not trying to hi-jack this thread, but how does a torque angle gauge work or why is it used? Thanks for any help.

Mike

Not sure how the digital ones work, but probably some potentiometer or gyros of some sort.

The analog ones is just a moving pointer with a static faceplate with degrees on it. Like the one in this link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UMRXSW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Torque to yield fasteners are measured by angle rather than torque value to ensure that they are stretched. You'll typically find TTY fasteners on critical components such as headbolts, crank bolts, connecting rod bolts, etc.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Not trying to hi-jack this thread, but how does a torque angle gauge work or why is it used? Thanks for any help.

Mike

An angle gauge is used on torque to yield fasteners. If you see a repair procedure that tells you to torque to a value then turn X number of degrees that is what it is referring to.

 

[dnschmidt]

I sell the Eclatorq digital angle meters and these work using a gyroscope. I'm certain the Brown Line one does as well.

 

[iajonesy]

Okay, that all makes sense. I guess I was still in the dark ages of torque wrenches being the only method of installing bolts,etc. Thanks for the info.

Mike

 

[guy48065]

I sell the Eclatorq digital angle meters and these work using a gyroscope. I'm certain the Brown Line one does as well.

Tri-axial accelerometer that detects movement in any direction. You can thank smartphones & Wii for the accuracy & cost improvements that make this tech so common now.

To operate the one shown you stick it on your torque wrench where you can see the display, torque the fastener to spec then press the Reset button to zero the angle. Now it starts counting angle change and freezes the display when you back off more then 7°. That's so you can ratchet the wrench when you need more angle in a tight spot. That feature is what makes it so clever, IMO.

 

[fsae0607]

I used the Lisle one:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002STSW6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Priced right and works great. I used it when I r&r'd the head on my Colorado.

 

[BigE]

I used the Lisle one:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002STSW6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Priced right and works great. I used it when I r&r'd the head on my Colorado.

How does it work? I assume the alligator clamp is used to restrain the dial and that there aren't any electrical components necessary?

 

[BigE]

Is anyone familiar with the Lisle one? Can you explain to me how it works? Thanks!

 

[dnschmidt]

The mechanical ones work if you've got something on a bench. They are extremely difficult to use in the car as they are clumsy and big.

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

I've tried the dial angle gauge, bought the Snap On Tech Angle torque wrenches. Nothing beats a paint pen. I can easily figure out if I need 56 degs just by looking at the bolt.

 

[Agentwho]

If it is something you only need once then cut a circle out of some cardboard, cut a square in the middle for the ratchet/breaker bar and mark the edge say every 10 degrees. Pick a fixed point and count the number of marks that go by. ( 7 marks = 70 degrees )

It just occurred to me that you could use the compass app on your phone (one that gives you degrees) You could duck tape it atop the ratchet or have someone hold it.

 

[Wamsutta]

I used the Lisle one:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002STSW6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Priced right and works great. I used it when I r&r'd the head on my Colorado.

What is the cable and battery post clamp for?

 

[Tallpilot]

Another vote for the Lisle one. It stays in place with the battery clamp. The cheaper ones don't. But if you want to spend more money the fancy electronic one looks cool.

 

[bigdav160]

I think you should just go for the best. It really is slick to use.

To further elaborate on jonesy's question, torque angle is a more predictable way of tightening a fastener. If I have a bolt with a 1mm thread pitch, every 36 degrees moves the bolt .100 of a millimeter. Measuring torque alone has too many variables due to friction in the threads and under the head of the bolt.

And to dispel the old wives tale, torque angle is commonly used on regular and torque to yield bolts. Just because the specification is in torque angle does not mean its a TTY fastener.

 

[md21722]

What is the cable and battery post clamp for?

Does the same thing as the L shaped rod in the conventional style.

 

[md21722]

I think you should just go for the best. It really is slick to use.

LOL. That's more than the Snap On branded one in Green.

https://store.snapon.com/TechAngle-...le-Torque-Wrench-12-5-250-ft-lb--P889396.aspx

 

[bigdav160]

Actually SnapOn is using CDI.

I see in the comments that CDI neutered some of the functionality at SnapOn's request. So maybe not the "best" anymore.

 

[guy48065]

Actually SnapOn is using CDI.

I see in the comments that CDI neutered some of the functionality at SnapOn's request. So maybe not the "best" anymore.

I really miss the built-in egg timer.