Clicker torque wrench is hard to make work at low values. You just dont have the energy in the system for a solid click. Look for used dial torque wrenches or shell out the big bucks for an electronic torque wrench.
Before any important job I always do a cal check on a torque wrench. I try to do it around the torque I expect to need. Obviously that is easier with lower torque values as I need less weight.I remember snapping a cam cap bolt using a beam style 3/8 torque wrench.
dealer had a replacement bolt in stock ! wtf no wait?! I was surprised and pleased.
Always thought about a 1/4 drive torque wrench after that, but ended up just going by feel for the really small stuff...for 30+ years lol
I dont take all spring tension out. I leave 5 to 10% dialed in to make sure those shenanigans dont happen.There is a design defect in some cheap click torque wrenches. If you back the spring pressure off for storage, as is recommended, and you back it off too far the little piece inside that triggers the click falls out of place and the torque wrench simply becomes an awkward wrench.
I have the cheap ones and always make sure they click before torquing a fastener. I just clamp the square socket receiver in a vice at any low setting and test for the click. I've compared mine to a mechanic buddy's and the values are not that far off.
I used to service the ones from GM and they were not adjustable, stayed at the same setting forever. After fixing them and setting the torque, the Allen screw was then filled with solder to prevent in-plant tinkering.I dont take all spring tension out. I leave 5 to 10% dialed in to make sure those shenanigans dont happen.
I prefer to use weights. Less likely to be wrong. Although it is unlikely that both are off by a similar amount in a similar direction, it is possible. Chunks of steel change very very little with time.Easiest way to test a torque wrench is with a second torque wrench,
you just put a socket wrench between the two torque wrenches and test one against the other.
I'm usually in too much of a hurry to get it done and go ride moreI prefer to use weights. Less likely to be wrong. Although it is unlikely that both are off by a similar amount in a similar direction, it is possible. Chunks of steel change very very little with time.