Jack and tire iron?

[Quahog]

Yeah, changing the length of the lever would definitely impact the torque value.

[tinlizzie23]

Extending the length of the torque wrench handle would not only change the torque value, but using it this way would probably also permanently change the torque value of the wrench itself. That would effectively render the indicated torque value unreliable, and therefore ruin the wrench. Torque wrenches should never be used to tighten or loosen bolts - that is the job of a breaker bar. TWs have a delicate calibration, and are used only for putting final torque on the bolt.

[RustyFairmount]

I use a star wrench and the jack from TV. If you need more oomph, consider using a cheapo tire iron with a black pipe slip-on, cut to whatever length you need.

[Gma-n-Gpa]

Guess i need some EDUKASHUN. I thought a torque wrench measured the torque at the "pivot" point (the socket end). If that is correct how would lengthening the arm change the torque measurement? Granted it will take less energy (with a longer arm) to achieve a given amount of torque but shouldn't corrupt the measurement. Now if you added length between the pivot end and the guage (old school with indicator arm) THEN the measurement would be inaccurate. Help me understand your opinion.

[tinlizzie23]

Gma-n-Gpa, the best way I know to answer your question is as follows. Torque is usually express in pound-feet. That is, 1 pound-foot is the rotational force exerted on a bolt when 1 pound of force is applied at exactly 1 foot from the bolt, with the wrench at right angle to the rotation. If you double the distance from the force to the bolt, but exert the same 1 pound of force, then you double the torque (1 pound of force at 2 feet will be equal to two pound-feet ). On a calibrated torque wrench of the beam type (old school), the slender beam does not move with relation to the bolt, but the large arm flexes, and is calibrated to give an accurate reading on the scale based on the amount of flex due to force exerted. The key here is that the degree of flex is precisely calibrated for the exact length of the arm. If you add length to the handle, the flex changes, increasing with longer extensions, and the calibration is no longer accurate. Think of it this way (exaggerated) - if you put an extension 20 feet long on the torque wrench, you could probably move it with one finger, but the flex would be tremendous, and would likely not move the bolt at all. So you would be exerting a large force, but the reading would be at or near zero. Hope this helps explain "my opinion".

[Gma-n-Gpa]

tinlizzie23 - got it thanks