Can You Fix Torque Wrench Not Clicking?

A torque wrench is a tool that helps you in achieving a predefined value of torque to any fasteners like nuts, bolts, and screws. It comes in handy whenever the application requires you to achieve any specific value of torque. It prevents both over-tightening and under-tightening of any fasteners. It may look like a simple socket wrench, but it comes with a scale that helps to calibrate torque wrench and measure the final results. For the indication part, when the torque wrench reaches the set limit, it will make a “click” sound to indicate. When you hear the sound, you can remove it from the fastener. But what if you didn’t hear any sound? If you are someone looking for tips about the same, we bring you a helpful guide that will teach you why your torque wrench not clicking and how to fix a broken torque wrench.

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Can You Fix Torque Wrench Not Clicking?

You will get to know why is your torque wrench not clicking further in this article. Keep reading to learn more about it in detail.

Do All Torque Wrenches Click?

No, all torque wrenches do not click. Many types of torque wrenches are available that perform the same task but operate on different mechanisms. Some types are beam type, slip type, electronic type, and click type. Only the click-type torque wrenches have a mechanism where the indications include a “click”. And as soon as you hear the click, the torque has been applied.

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Is a Torque Wrench Supposed to Click?

No, only the click-type torque wrench should indicate a click sound. There are many types of torque, and all have different mechanisms. The click-type torque wrench has a clutch mechanism that makes the click sound when the torque has been applied. If for some reason your torque wrench not clicking, you should get it checked.

Is a Torque Wrench Supposed to Click Once or Twice?

The click-type torque wrench can be clicked more than once. But one should be aware of what the “click” indicates here. When you set the torque wrench for a certain torque, it will make a ‘click” sound after it achieves that torque. If you keep tightening the bolt further and hear another click sound, another set of torque gets applied to it.

Though some people have this habit of over-tightening the fasteners, it is unnecessary, so you should let the torque wrench only once.

Is a Torque Wrench Supposed to Click?

Yes. If your torque wrench not clicking, you do not need to jump straight to the conclusion that it is broken and you need a new one. There are many factors at play when you use a torque wrench that can affect the clicking of a torque wrench. So before buying a new torque wrench or borrowing from someone else, try to test a click torque wrench.

The most basic thing you should first check is whether the size of the torque wrench is right for the job or not.
It is also possible that the calibration was not done correctly before using the torque wrench. If that’s the case, calibrate the torque wrench first.
After calibration, you can check the torque wrench. To test a click torque wrench, you should do it on an already tight fastener. First, loosen the fastener with a socket wrench a little, and tighten it with the freshly calibrated torque wrench. If it is not broken, you will hear a clicking sound.

Can You Fix a Broken Torque Wrench?

Yes, it is possible to fix a broken torque wrench. But it is important to decide on the factor of whether the torque wrench is beyond repair or not. To make this judgment you can take the help of some professional who will help you decide whether the cost of repair is less or more than replacing the broken torque wrench with a new one. So it is only advisable to fix a broken torque wrench when the damage is not very severe and can be fixed easily.

Let us see a few cases in which you can do this:

Broken directional switch: If you roughly use the directional switch, it is possible to break it. But it can be fixed easily.
Twisted Square drive: If a torque wrench is used improperly, it can result in a bent or twisted square drive.
Free wheeling of square drive: This can happen when you over-tight any fastener.
Lost head setting pin: With the careless handling of the torque wrench, it is possible to lose the head setting pin. But it is economical to replace it.
Torques setting rod protrudes: If for some reason you are disassembling the torque, it is very likely you won’t be able to assemble it properly. So unless you know the inner workings of the torque wrench do not try to open it.

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How Do You Test a Click Torque Wrench?

A torque wrench is a simple yet useful tool. But the simplicity of the tool sometimes led the professionals to overlook its care. For some machinists, it comes as a shock that torque wrenches also need checking. If not checked at regular intervals, torque wrenches will not be able to apply the right torque on the fasteners, and it poses a risk of fasteners getting over-tightened or under-tightened.

So we understood that it is necessary to test a click torque wrench. Now let us see how you can do it. There is the option to take it to a professional, but doing it yourself at home is not a very big task. Let us see how you can test a click torque wrench.

1. Take a torque wrench. For this, we are assuming that you have an 18 inches torque wrench.

2. With the help of an inch tape, measure the length of the torque wrench from the square drive to the middle of the handle.

Note: For an 18 inches torque wrench, this measurement will be 15 inches. Now, mark this with a help of a marker.

3. Now, tighten this torque wrench from the square drive to a bench vice while the whole torque wrench is hanging the vice outwards horizontally.

4. Then, tie a rope at the mark we sketched in Step 2.

5. Hang a known weight on the rope and make sure it does not touch the floor.

6. Now, according to the weight hanging, calculate the torque and apply it to the torque wrench. For this little mathematics needs to be done.

For example, if you have used a 10 kg weight, then:

Weight x Handle distance = 10 kg x 15 inches = 150 inch-kg
Convert inch-kg to foot-kg = 150 inch-kg / 12 (inch) = 12.5 foot-kg

7. Set the torque wrench to this value.

Note: Take notice of the dimensional units. If you are using different dimensional units then your result value will be different.

8A. Hang the weight with the rope and then wait for the click sound. If you hear the sound, your torque wrench is correctly calibrated.

8B. If it doesn’t click, you have to set the tension of the internal spring of the torque wrench. Take the weight off, adjust the tension, and repeat the process. And do it until you hit the click sound.

How to Use a Torque Wrench?

A torque wrench is a simple-to-use tool. With a basic understanding of the desired torque in the fastener and the set-up of the torque wrench, one can easily use it. Before jumping into using the torque wrench make sure it is calibrated. This step is necessary because, with a wrongly calibrated torque wrench, the incorrect value of the torque may get applied to the fastener. When the torque wrench is good to use, you can move on and use it.

Let us see step by step how you can use a torque wrench.

1. For a click-type torque wrench, select the right torque wrench for the job.

2. Check the permissible torque on the bolt and adjust the torque wrench handle and align the 0 (Zero) on the dial to the correct torque specification.

3. Lock the torque wrench to the correct setting.

4. Turn the wrench until you hear a clicking sound.

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How to Calibrate Torque Wrench?

If you want to calibrate the torque wrench in-house, it is possible. If you have the required things, it becomes very easy. If you do not want to do it yourself, you can also take the help of a professional. If you are a more DIY kind of person, you will find it easy to do it.

Let us see how you can calibrate torque wrench by yourself.

1. Measure your torque wrench: For this measure, you need to have an inch tape and measure the length from the square drive to the middle of the handle. Use a marker to mark the length.

2. Fix your torque wrench: For this step, you need a bench vice. From the square, the drive clamps the torque wrench to the vice. Do it in the way that the whole length of the wrench is hanging horizontally out of the vice.

3. Bring the rope and weight: Find a known weight for example a dumbbell. We will use it for calibrating the torque wrench. And a rope to hang it.

4. Calculate torque: With the known values of weight and the handle, length calculate the torque required.

5. Check the torque wrench: For this set the required torque value in the wrench and hang the weight at the mark. Wait for the click sound.

6. Calibrate the Tension: If you have heard the click sound then the wrench is correctly calibrated and if not then you need to set the tension with the set screw. Take the weight off, set the tension externally, and repeat the above steps. Do it until you hear the click sound.

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Torque wrench not clicking is a common problem that machinists face. But many are unaware of the importance of “click” and how many times is the best. We hope that this guide was helpful and you were able to understand what to do when the torque wrench not clicking and how to fix a broken torque wrench. Feel free to reach out to us with your queries and suggestions via the comments section below. Also, let us know what you want to learn about next.