Deetox

Hi guys,

I just got my Ritchey Torque Key today and I think it might be broken or something. The metal tube that the hex bit fits into seems to have a slightly loose fit inside the plastic handle. If I give it a tug I can feel and see it move out of the plastic about 1mm, and when I push it back in theres a distinct click sound when it hits the inside of the plastic.

Can someone please tell me if their Ritchey Torque key does the same thing or not?

Thanks!

EDIT: Just noticed it also has some side to side play as well. Surely it should be more secure than this?

JTGraphics

I have one don't use it because I have a better one for that range but mine moves slightly as you say if it clicks at the correct torque it should be fine hope that helps.

Deetox

Thanks, guess maybe it was just designed that way. I tested it out on my stem bolts and it seems to work fine. On the first try it actually clicked right away on all 4 bolts, they were already torqued perfectly at 5nm lol. Maybe I don't need this tool afterall.

dabac

Are you sure you understand how a torque wrench works?
If you apply it to an already tightened bolt, and it clicks before turning the bolt, then all it's telling you is that the bolt is torqued to at least the setting of the torque wrench.
You've determined that torque can't be below 5 Nm, but you have no idea how much more it is. It might be overtorqued by any amount.

Assuming your tool is decently calibrated, and ignoring friction in threads and such, the way to check for not only minimum, but actually appropriate torque is to undo the bolts, then tighten just until it clicks.

cali_axela

Mine has the same play, and works great. Sounds normal. And +1 to the above, you should loosen the bolts and then tighten them with the torque key, to make sure they weren't already over-tightened.

Deetox

Yes I understand how it works, like I said that was just my first test. Right after that I undid the bolts and retightened them and sure enough they all clicked right at the spot I had them originally. Probably just a fluke as I definitely have a habit of undertightening/overtightening things.