Rep Power: 0

So I put my Neuspeed strut bar in, and in the instructions it recommends to torque the bolts to 33lb/ft. I don't have a torque wrench, so I just tightened it down, and gave it a little extra pull, to make sure it stays. Is that good enough, or should I get a wrench? Or even use a little "loctite" on the bolts, to make sure they don't rotate loose? Or am I just worrying over nothing?

 
Rep Power: 310

You should be okay as long as the bolts are tight, which it sounds like they are. The three strut nuts arent that critical to torque settings as some other parts are. I would check them though in a couple of days to make sure theyre still tight.

 
Rep Power: 326

I'd still buy a tourque wrench. More accurate, down the road you'll be needing it. I didn't think it would be that useful, but after I bought it, I notice I use it all the time. The sockets are where the price starts to climb, see ya

 
Rep Power: 432

you dont need it , i didnt have torque wrench but instlled all the strut bars, sway bars.but long as bolts are tight. you will have no problem.

 
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OK. Thanks guys.

 
Rep Power: 424

Go get yourself a beam-style torque wrench... the Craftsman one is $25 and I'm sure there's plenty cheaper. You don't need one of the fancy clicky ones to get most things done right.

 
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You know, if it just needed to be "tight," they wouldn't make torque specs.

They have them for a reason. Get a torque wrench...

 
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i work at an automotive repair shop and people come in all the time and just want stuff torqued, we charge like 5 bucks to torque a couple bolts or nuts, im sure someone in your area would do the same

 
Rep Power: 413

My torque wrench cost me $180 and it was worth every penny. I have since used it so many times.

 
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I was thinking about investing in a torque wrench for future jobs. But I dont know about that 180 dollar crap!

 
Rep Power: 308

Get a torque wrench. Better safe then sorry. If you do a lot of DIY stuff on your car, it's worth buying. If it's a one time deal, i'd say no...you could always barrow one from a neighbor or friend.

 
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How accurate are those "beam style" torque wrenches compared to the clicky expensive ones? I have one, but I don't use it much because I really don't think its very accurate.

 
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You shouldn't even need to use one to tighten your nuespeed strut bar. I got one on my civic and I just tightened the bolts pretty tight, and I haven't had a problem with my bar since.

 
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The beam type wrenches are ok. There are some places though where you can't see it to read the pointer. I think there are wrenches out there for $15 and on up. I ususally just borrow one from work when I need to torque something. If you get one, you will find uses for it. Like lug nuts have a torque spec so if you change wheels you need to torque and then check again after driving some. If you already have the sockets, then a torque wrench isn't gonna cost that much more.

This prevents the old "shade tree mechanic" syndrome of "tighten it till it breaks, then back off 1/4 turn".

 
Rep Power: 424

If you read the directions that come with it on how to use it, it should be as accurate as the clicky ones... It's as simple as torque=Radius*Force. If you apply the force at the specified radius (mine has a pivot on the handle that needs to stay straight), then they're dead on what the scale says. If you don't follow directions, well, you mess up.
The clicky ones are also easy to knock out of calibration (all you gotta do is drop it) and it's so expensive to get them reset, you might as well buy another one. Sears charges $85 to re-calibrate their $89 torque wrench and recommends you do it every year. If the torque is supercritical, to be absolutely perfect... then take it somewhere that has a clicky... but if the tie bar is torqued down to 35 instead of 33, it won't matter.