Using torque wrench to tighten socket head screws
 

Hi

Can anyone give me some advice on how to tighten bike components that need allen keys or screwdrivers to the required torque. I have a shiny new torque wrench 1/4 inch drive.

Thanks

Geoff

Purchase 1/4 inch drive hex sockets.

Hopefully its in inch-pounds?
 

Torque wrenches are available in ft-lbs as well as inch-pounds and there isn`t one that`ll cover every component on the bike. Typically a torque wrench has about a 5% error. Thats 5% of the total range of the wrench so for maximum accuracy you want ones with as narrow a range as possible. Particularly for small items like allen head bolts.

Suggest you pick up a set of metric allen head socket drives in the same size as your wrench if you don`t already have some.

Aside from that - read the owners manual and the service manuals for the components you want to work on. Maximum torques are indicated directly on many modern components, otherwise they`re available in reference documents.

Maximum is maximum and is for torquing dry components unless otherwise indicated. (anti-sieze compounds)
Lubing threaded fasteners calls for caution and reduced torque afterwards. Using graphite pastes is similar. Most components today are precision fit and it doesn`t take a lot to secure them. Doesn`t take a lot to strip alloy either if you get overly enthusiastic.

Thanks UnsafeAlpine

Geoff

If you can't find 1/4" square drive hex sockets, you can use 3/8" drive hex sockets and a 1/4"F to 3/8"M adapter. Any hardware store, or home center has these also.

In fact, my Park 1/4" drive torque wrench included one of these adapters right in the box.

???

I have 1/4 square female to 1/4" hex female adapter. This fits on the 1/4" drive wrench and takes any sort of widely available 1/4" hex drive bits commonly used in power screwdrivers and drills including flat and phillips screwdrivers, allen, torx etc.

You can also simply use a 1/4" drive 1/4" hex socket with these bits.

Good point. Those 1/4"square to 1/4" hex adapters are often included with packaged screwdriver/ratchet sets that have a huge variety of 1/4" hex drive bits.

Another way to get hex bits is to cut down L-type allen wrenches using a Dremel and a cut-off wheel and super glue the stubs into appropriate size 1/4" square drive sockets.

Lots of alternatives.

Thanks Burton very comprehensive reply. Yes it is inch lbs a Neilsen

Geoff

Is the right stuff really all that expensive?
 

I`m all for saving money and in theory some things will work, but the range of allen-head drives needed on a bike is pretty limited and the equipment designed for the job won`t set anyone back more than $20 to $40 depending on what you buy so I`d like to mention a few things.

Unless the adapter used for the bits has a ball-lock feature or is magnitized, bits will simply fall out when you try to use them. Same for any 1/4 inch socket. That can get pretty frustrating, Yeah - I tried it. OK for some things, but if its worth putting out the coin for a few torque wrenches, the additional cost of the hex drives will be less than the tax on the wrenches.

And the idea of scrapping a set of sockets and allen keys as well as LOTS of cut-off disks for a Dremel doesn`t sound very cost effective to me. But maybe in your case you got all that stuff for nothing so yeah - that might make it worth the time.

Another item I particularly don`t recommend is those new electronic units that go onto a regular ratchet and give a digital torque readout with an audable beep in some ranges. Not particularly user friendly and unbelievably awkward to verify any reading outside the audable range (which happens to cover most bicycle applications).

Tools designed specifically for the job are easier to use and get the job done faster with less frustration.

Thats my experience and I may be particularly lazy. but I`d rather not make any job more difficult than it has to be. I`d much rather be having FUN doing it.

Plus the adaptor adds the better part of an inch to the assembly, which often makes the difference in whether you can get it to the bolt or not.

This really isn't a problem.

The only place on high end road bikes where that may be an issue is the rear fixing bolt.'

Loads of basic 1/4" drive "bike specific" torque wrenches are available for about $50 MSRP. You'll need two wrenches, usually for the 0-20'ish NM and 20 - 60nm.

My 1/4" sq dr to 1/4" hex drive adapter does indeed have a ball lock and it's secure to the point that removing the bits can be difficult if your fingers aren't completly dry and grease free. For bits in 1/4" drive sockets, super glue sees to it they don't fall out.

A very cheap "made in China" set of sockets is perfectly satisfactory for dedicating to home-made hex bits as the torque damands aren't that high. Use a fiber-reinforced cut-off disks (not the super brittle ones) in your Dremel and one disk will last to cut through several hex wrenches. So, I don't get my stuff for free but the raw material cost is very low and my time is mine to squander. :)

I went to a local Sears store and bought a set of Craftsman metric hex key sockets, 3/8" drive with a 1/4"x3/8" adapter. Cheap. Works great with a decent torque wrench. And Craftsman stuff has a lifetime guarantee...