you dont HAVE to use a torque wrench, find out what the torque is and figure it out.

One foot pound is one pound weight hanging on a one foot wrench.
Torque on a six millimeter bolt? Sheeit, I dunno, but lets guess. 5 foot pounds.

That would be 5 lbs hanging off a one foot wrench. It would also be the SAME as 60 inch pounds or 60 lbs hanging off a one inch wrench.

SO the nut driver is closer than a 3/8" ratchet.

I can fee the bolt get tight before it stretches as I tighten it.

Just to share, I can tighten about a max of 60 to 75 foot pounds with a standard 3/8" rachet. I need something bigger after that.

250 foot pounds needs about a three foot wrench.

I am a mechanic, I screw for a living.

David

 

Good one.

Most half inch torque wrenches max out at 150 ft-lbs. Hell, my lug nuts need more than that and so do some big nuts on cars and heavy equipment. I have a 2 foot breaker bar that I've been known to stand on to torque a big nut close to spec.

 

For future reference, do not use a torque wrench on any external fastener on the bike. They can actually cause more broken bolts. Too many variations, and a torque wrench is only as good as the brand name and the operator. I just changed oil last Friday, and I just snugged it down. Never had a problem at all not using a torque wrench.