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My torque wrench gave me a false reading on a Ford 5.4L spark plug job
I was doing the plugs on a 2008 F-150 last Tuesday, and my click-type wrench clicked at 15 ft-lbs like it should. When I went to start the truck, it misfired because one plug was still loose. Turns out the wrench's internal spring had worn out and wasn't giving real pressure anymore. I had to borrow my buddy's digital wrench from his box to finish the job right. Has anyone else had a torque tool fail on them mid-job, and how do you check yours?
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webb.derek26d ago
Mine failed on a head gasket job, so I check it with a tester now.
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jamiewalker26d ago
My 2005 Civic made it 240,000 miles on the original head gasket. I just don't see them as a regular wear item that needs testing. If the engine wasn't overheated, a good gasket should last the life of the car. I only dig into it if I have symptoms like losing coolant or oil mixing.
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Yeah, that "clicked at 15 ft-lbs" part is exactly the kind of thing that makes you trust a tool right before it lets you down. I had a cheap beam-style wrench that just wouldn't zero out anymore, gave me a scare on some lug nuts. Now I test mine against a known weight on a bar once in a while, super low-tech but it works. @webb.derek has the right idea using a tester, that's the smart move. It's crazy how you don't question the click until it costs you time.
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