Torque and Chrome

Do I need a torque wrench to change the disc and pads?

Hi got to change the rear discs and pads on my 02 vauxhall vetca 2.0dti hatchback in the haynes manual it gives torque wrench settings but no where in the list of things to do does it say use a torque wrench to tighten bolts etc. Advise from someone in the know please. Cheers.

Public Comments

1. no not really,just make sure they are well tight,use copper grease on the caliper slides and the back of the pads
2. no it is not necessary, but honestly if you didn't know that maybe you should let somebody else do the job, brakes are important things. do you know how to release the cylinder?
3. using a torque wrench is a good idea when putting the wheel back on.
4. if you think about it maybe if you don't know what tools to use then really you should not be tackling such a job on your car!
5. If you've got the torque wrench and the specified setting it's always good. Even the best certified mechanics out there can't judge the proper torque without one. But let's face it. If you've been around tools for a while and have a good feel for your work, you can get away without it. You don't see people on the side of the road fixing flat tires with torque wrenches. Now if you were doing a cylinder head gasket, that's a completely different story. So in my opinion, you can get away with it, but you should really get one for the future, and a service manual if you plan on doing all your own work. Good luck to you..
6. Repairs to brakes should only be carried out fully trained personnell. You are dealing with other people's lives not just your own
7. Hi If you were to go by the book for every repair you carried out, you would use a torque wrench to tighten every single solitary nut and bolt you ever loosened or removed. Any official repair instructions you ever read will always contain the phrase "tighten to the correct torque", and, with the exception of things like head gaskets, which have to be torqued down precisely, it is merely a "get out clause" or "face saver" in case you under or over tighten a nut or bolt because you have not been instructed otherwise in the instructions you have been following, which would hold them liable should the nut or bolt give way or work loose. That aside, it is always good practice to torque nuts and bolts correctly to suit their purpose, but if you haven't got a torque wrench, then you either have to get one, or trust your better judgement. Personally, I have a torque wrench, but I only ever use it for hub nuts, head bolts, and any other nuts and bolts for which precise torque is essential, however, I have been spannering for over 20 years,man and boy, and like every other accomplished mechanic out there, DIY or professionals alike, I have gained a very good feel for just how tight nuts and bolts should be for efficient functionality in their various applications. In a nutshell, if you have a torque wrench then by all means use it, it is professional and very good practice, and you will be able to rest assured that you have carried out the work to the letter. You will eventually work yourself into using techniques that you personally are comfortable with, be it using a torque wrench, or good old intuition. Very best regards Geordie
8. it depends on if you got a big enough ratchet or not.but if the haynes manual doesnt say to use tourqe wrench,then you dont need to
9. no you don,t need a torque wrench. just tighten the bolts as tight as you can get them, they won,t come loose. i just use a ratchet and a allen socket on mine and mine don,t come loose.
10. No mate just a good socket set and possible some Hex keys