Modern Vespa

I am going to replace the belt, rollers and guides on my ET4 150 this weekend and want to know if anyone has done this without using a torque wrench. I rather not have to purchase one right now if I can avoid it. I know the best way is to use one but any opinions!

Jack G

Harbor Freight has one that you can get for $10.with a coupon. Admittedly not the best quality but I've had good luck with mine. Or maybe you could rent one.

You certainly CAN do the job without a torque wrench, but whether it would be WISE to do so is another question entirely.

The consequences of torquing something too tight can range from shearing off one of the tranny cover bolts (not that big a deal) to stripping or deforming the threads on the end of the crankshaft (a very big deal). The consequences of getting something too loose can range from having a tranny cover bolt fall out (again, not that big a deal) to having the variator come apart at 60 mph (a very big deal).

Do yourself a favor and rent or borrow a torque wrench if you can't afford to buy one. Consider also that you will need to obtain or make tools to hold the variator and clutch stationary while removing their nuts.

Oh... and don't forget to pick up a couple of the one-time-use nuts for the variator.

I don't normally use a torque wrench. I'd hesitate to recommend this to others who have to ask the question though...

I will give Harbor freight a try, I have never bought their tools, but it sounds like it would be better than no torque wrench.

PM me your address for a $9.99 coupon if interested - just got one in yesterday's newspaper. I'll send it to you. Get the 1/2" 20-150 ft./lbs model. Buy online or visit a Harbor Freight store near you...

http://www.harborfreight.com/storelocator/location/map

I also don't use one for this job. I use a impact wrench. mine has 3 settings
and I remove nuts using smallest setting that will remove nuts and replace
nuts with same settings. done this way for at least 50 jobs. no problems so
far. no special holders needed. good luck, ike

The wife says we got a coupon book from them in the mail and sure enough they have one for 10.99 and a 20% off coupon. Thanks for the offer and the help.

Yeah, Jim, but everybody knows we old wrenchers have calibrated wrists.

Is there a 'tool lending library' in your area? Quite a few cities/towns around me offer this service. The library in Berkeley, CA has an incredible variety. Your local library might have a list of towns in AZ that offer this service. I'd check hours and call ahead to save yourself a trip. Sometimes they're open at funky times.

Good luck.