Thread: DIY angle dial for head bolt tensioning

Torque up to specified preload.. Recheck, then using a white marker, draw a single line atop each head bolt running fore and aft (or all the same way). Then tension 90 or 180 as req, putting a dot on each one as turned. Once finished, wipe all your marks off using brakeclean etc. no angle gauge needed.

Just use the points On the head bolts for your torque angle

sorry duplicate post !

Originally Posted by rangie ute on 38'';

Just use the points On the head bolts for your torque angle

The bolt heads cannot be seen if they are in the socket you are using.

A good quality angle gauge for your 1/2" socket driver is less than $20

Where can the angle gauge be sourced?
I am going passed a Autopro thismorning so I will try there.
Thanks for all the help.
cheers
Dennis

Originally Posted by 87County

The bolt heads cannot be seen if they are in the socket you are using.

A good quality angle gauge for your 1/2" socket driver is less than $20

It is,nt too hard to mark the out side of the socket with a texter or paint pen to get the angle required , A single hex socket is best too use
As said before no need for a angle guage ,
This method has worked many a time for me

They are available at Supercheap also. Not expensive.

Hi,

I did this job last week on the 300tdi disco. I do have an angle gauge, and tried to use it between an impact socket and breaker bar, and it fouled on the first few bolts. And where it did not foul, it was near impossible to get a reliable reading.

The easy solution, as others have stated is to put a dot of paint marker on the head directly beneath a hex point that you can see from your heaving up position. Then put a tiny wee dab on the side of the bolt head flange directly beneath the next hex point to the "right" of the Mark on the head. You should be able to see both marks. Heave away till they coincide. That will be 60 degrees. Then another dab below the next point for another 60. The last 20 degrees on the longer bolts was a bit of a guesstimate about a third of the way to the next hex point.

A beauty of this one is that if you get called away mid job, the marks let you know where you were up to. I didn't bother cleaning the marks, I am sure that they will fade or wear away with time.

This way works best in multiples of 60, or 30 at a pinch, depending on estimating and marking skills.

Gumnut