Does it Damage Click Stop Torque Wrenches to Loosen Nuts
- Thread starter TimeFlies
- Start date
I've been told yes, and no, hence my asking.
Makes sense to me, it's meant to set torque not be used as a breaker bar.
I lent my 3/8 Snap On torque wrench to my neighbor one time. He needed to torque some fasteners. He returned it to me afterwards and mentioned breaking fasteners loose. I was horrified. Years later I had it calibrated. They told me it was damaged for counterclockwise.
This was 40 years ago.
This was 40 years ago.
Don't use a torque wrench like that. Use a breaker bar instead 
It's certainly not the right tool for the job.
I had the exact same scenario but with the 1/2" version. Team Torque tried to fix it and failed miserably. Years later I sent it to Snap-On under the flat-rate repair service; the wrench came back with a note saying everything inside (except ratchet head) was pretty much destroyed.
I will say I'd try to avoid using a torque wrench to loosen, but some manufacturers claim some can handle being used for that. In a worst case scenario and it's the only tool I had to use in a pinch without being able to just visit a store for something more applicable I'd use to loosen. At the end of the day the best tool to have is the one in front of you when needed.
My thought is it's designed to be a precision tool, so it would seem common sense to use it only for the purpose for which it was designed/intended. One 'might' get away with using it to loosen occasionally, but why risk it.
Yes.
And every manual for the five I own says not to do that.
And every manual for the five I own says not to do that.
I agree with not using it to loosen fasteners, but I’m curious as to what gets damaged and why. For example, torque is set for 100 lb-ft and the breaking torque on a fastener is 75 lb-ft. What exactly is causing the damage?
Ever notice how newer torque wrenches only have a one direction head?
Would this be an issue if you stayed below whatever the torque is set to when loosening ?
Some are capable of working either direction within their limits.
JHZR2
Staff member
I did through use. My norbar pro wrench is like that, not my snap on and precision instrument units.
Tightening or loosening, don't push it past its torque setting and you should be fine. They are probably bi-directional to allow for the occasional left-hand fasteners.
When the wrench manufacturer specifically states not to do that - don’t do that.
If you can’t afford a breaker bar for that task, you sure can’t afford a new torque wrench.
