[itasor]

I always torque my lug nuts to 100 ft. lbs. using a 1/2" drive click-stop torque wrench. I use a 1/2" drive 3/4" size deep impact socket on the torque wrench.

My TJ has the "Gambler" wheels. I think because they are 15x8 instead of 15x7 like the stock steel ones, the lug nuts are set farther in compared to the tire. This makes it hard to get the wrench on the lug nut without the handle scraping the tire, even with the deep socket.

I have a short (2-3") 1/2" drive socket extension that I was thinking about putting between the wrench and socket. Will this change the torque that I'm putting on the lug nuts?

It would definitely make torquing and retorquing a lot easier.

[mdm]

Yes it will. But not enough to matter. With most extensions that short you would need a pretty sensitive scale to be able to measure the difference.

[mudb8]

yes an extension does change the torque. I forget what the calculation is to figure it out,
using a 2" extension on your wheels isn't realy anything to worry about. when ya start talking 6" then your looking at needing to make a setting adjustment.

[tangofox007]

Are we talking about an extension bar or an extension that effectively changes the length of the wrench?

[IslandTJ]

In theory, the longer the extension the greater the deviation in torque error. But the error is marginal for our use.

[mdm]

Originally Posted by itasor

… the lug nuts are set farther in compared to the tire. This makes it hard to get the wrench on the lug nut without the handle scraping the tire, even with the deep socket.

I have a short (2-3") 1/2" drive socket extension that I was thinking about putting between the wrench and socket...

Originally Posted by tangofox007

Are we talking about an extension bar or an extension that effectively changes the length of the wrench?

??
…………...

[itasor]

Originally Posted by tangofox007

Are we talking about an extension bar or an extension that effectively changes the length of the wrench?

An extension that is placed between the torque wrench and socket.

[tangofox007]

Originally Posted by itasor

An extension that is placed between the torque wrench and socket.

In theory, that doesn't change the effective length of the wrench and won't change the torque applied. In practice, an extension bar does make it more likely that applied torque won't be perfectly tangential to the fastener, allowing for some error. In the case of lug nuts, which are not terribly torque critical, it's not worth even considering. The practice of making mathematical torque corrections applies to extensions, like a crow's foot, which effectively changes the working length of the wrench.

[grinwa]

Maybe this will help. Torque is a rotating force and adding a socket extension will not change the torque. Only if you use and extension like in the picture will it change.

[athos76]

An extension (i.e. 90 degrees from face of torque wrench)... will not change the torque...

Grinwa hit the nail on the head...an adapter WILL change the torque... extended away from the face adds torque, extending toward the handle decreases torque.

As a Aircraft Mechanic, torque wrenches are a must have, and I've seen mechanics get their license yanked by the FAA for not knowing if an adapter changes torque.

[Jeepsr4me19]

never mind I found the answer

this old wives tale has been argued for years and no an extension will not change the torque value. It does not matter if the extension flexes you would simply pull the wrench farther. It is simple laws of physics, whatever force you input into one end of that extension is what is going to be exerted on the other end period. If you were getting less energy out of it than you put into it where on earth does that energy go? If the extension twists then as I said the wrench would require that much more input as long as it is moving but when the torque setting is reached and movement is stopped then at that point the input force and the resistance is equal and that is what it will read. Now if you allow the extension to lean over from the center of the fastener so that the wrench turning center is no longer centered over the fastener then you would get an erroneous reading because of the leverage factor, but this is something else entirely. For this same reason a crows foot extension must be compensated for and some wrenches include a chart for doing this but again this is for leverage because the wrench is not centered over the fastener. If an extension required compensation then they would include that also.

[grinwa]

Originally Posted by Jeepsr4me19

Is this true if the extension twist instead of the bolt or nut?
I had a extension twist in the middle during a high torque load. Bolt didnt move. 110 foot pounds

Yes. You are still applying the same rotational force. The weak link was the extension. I twisted a cheap 2" 3/8 drive extention with a small 3/8 drive ratchet and not much force. Just a weak/cheap extension.

[Jeepsr4me19]

Originally Posted by grinwa

Yes. You are still applying the same rotational force. The weak link was the extension. I twisted a cheap 2" 3/8 drive extention with a small 3/8 drive ratchet and not much force. Just a weak/cheap extension.

I was a aircraft mech for 6 years and I sometimes get stupid from all those jet fumes.

[silvrjeepr]

Stack about 6 feet of extensions on a bolt and see if it's just as easy to take off...

[grinwa]

Originally Posted by silvrjeepr

Stack about 6 feet of extensions on a bolt and see if it's just as easy to take off...

That has nothing to do with torque applied through a shaft but the ability to hold on to something straight. Use counter torque and it will work. Who uses 6' of extensions anyway?