Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[MossRoad]

Don't know why my pic attachments didn't work so will try again:

View attachment 481655

I thought you were supposed to either put a jack under the suspension to lift it up to get that nut on, or put the tire on and set it on the ground to get it to lift up to put that nut on?

 

[hutchman]

I thought you were supposed to either put a jack under the suspension to lift it up to get that nut on, or put the tire on and set it on the ground to get it to lift up to put that nut on?

You can't see it in the photo but the lower control arm is supported by a jack (and torsion bar tension relaxed some). The bushings are too thick and need to be compressed some and really the only way to do it is to press down on that stabilizer bar.

It wasn't a high pressure push ... just enough to compress those bushings some (there are 4 - top/bottom of lower control arm and the 2 you see in the pic). Probably the same thing could have been done by putting something solid the right length in place of the cylinder shown and using the floor jack to lift up on control arm. The problem is that stabilizer bar on top wants to rotate freely and it's hard to get it manipulated in such a way that the geometry of the hole will allow a bolt to go through the hole. Getting those links off and back on were the hardest part of the whole thing!

Once I used the cutting wheel (PB blaster and breaker bar got the nuts off but the factory "rubber sleeve" - which takes the place of two of rubber bushings of the new part - wouldn't slide off the bolt!) to get them off (required two cuts each side) and then figured out this trick to get the links back on it went real smooth and easy. I spent a lot of time fooling around with it and just sitting and staring at it trying to figure out what to do. Everything was straightforward except those pesky links.

 

[hutchman]

Man that looks suicidal if it were to slip free under pressure while you are working under there..

All that would happen is the cylinder would fall down. Nothing free to go flying anywhere. A super monster "C" clamp could have done the same thing I guess but I didn't have one that could do that.

 

[IslandTractor]

An update on a HF torque wrench that failed. I was using mine 1/2" Torque Wrench to install a receiver hitch on my Honda Element and set it for the spec'd 70lbs. I was underneath the car so in an awkward position but it seemed to require a lot more power to tighten the nuts than it should. I stopped. Later I put a bolt in a vise and used the torque wrench on it at different settings. Turns out that it doesn't click off at any setting and works just like a ratchet wrench to tighten. In reverse it still worked at a torque wrench. Tried lubricating but didn't make any difference.

As it has a "limited lifetime warranty" I took it back for exchange. The package was different than the current version so the clerk gave me grief even though it is a "Pittsburgh pro" tool. Go figure. They eventually looked up the item number and realized it was theirs so gave me a replacement.

 

[hutchman]

An update on a HF torque wrench that failed. I was using mine 1/2" Torque Wrench to install a receiver hitch on my Honda Element and set it for the spec'd 70lbs. I was underneath the car so in an awkward position but it seemed to require a lot more power to tighten the nuts than it should. I stopped. Later I put a bolt in a vise and used the torque wrench on it at different settings. Turns out that it doesn't click off at any setting and works just like a ratchet wrench to tighten. In reverse it still worked at a torque wrench. Tried lubricating but didn't make any difference.

As it has a "limited lifetime warranty" I took it back for exchange. The package was different than the current version so the clerk gave me grief even though it is a "Pittsburgh pro" tool. Go figure. They eventually looked up the item number and realized it was theirs so gave me a replacement.

Glad they finally fixed you up and stood behind their warranty.

I've got several. Since I never get them calibrated, I'll use an extra one (or two depending on what I'm doing) as kind of a verification.

 

[California]

My 'calibration' technique is verify against a beam torque wrench - actually two of them, an old Thorsen and an even older Craftsman I bought new in 1960. I do this a couple of times per project. Trust But Verify, its from HF after all.

So far in 20 years use the HF click torque wrench has been verified correct by these two antiques. All three test within a couple of pounds.

I also have a HF dial tire gauge that came with an impressive calibration certificate like the torque wrenches. Don't know if they still sell those. I use it to verify cheap pencil tire gauges. I've found those vary considerably.

 

[prichard]

I needed to torque to 3.7 lb-ft the other day and my torque wrench wont go that low. I was wishing there was an HF closer so I could go buy an lb-in wrench. But I got a loaner from auto parts store. Same issue as IS, would only "click" in reverse. So I ended up going by feel.

 

[IslandTractor]

Glad they finally fixed you up and stood behind their warranty.

I've got several. Since I never get them calibrated, I'll use an extra one (or two depending on what I'm doing) as kind of a verification.

Good strategy. I might get one of the old fashion dial type for that purpose.

 

[sixdogs]

I needed to torque to 3.7 lb-ft the other day and my torque wrench wont go that low. I was wishing there was an HF closer so I could go buy an lb-in wrench. But I got a loaner from auto parts store. Same issue as IS, would only "click" in reverse. So I ended up going by feel.

It's been a couple years but I got a Husky torque wrench in inch lbs fro Lowes on a sale for $40 or so $$. Works great. Remember to adjust back to zero before storing since it helps keep accuracy.

 

[DFB]

Good strategy. I might get one of the old fashion dial type for that purpose.

You could use a HF torque adapter too...if it only worked

Gosh the reviews on that are simply horrible.


1/2 in. Drive Digital Torque Adapter