Dial indicators

[KidVermicious]

I'm getting ready to rebuild a transfer case and I don't want to fake it, so I think it's time to purchase a dial indicator. I'd appreciate the insight of the professional mechanics on board, what's an appropriate model for a driveway monkey? I don't need super professional precision, but I don't want to cheap out and end up ruining a transfer case or differential, either.

[MENTION=94888]EatonKyleH[/MENTION], [MENTION=66389]BlackWorksInc[/MENTION], [MENTION=86948]mikebontoft[/MENTION], consider yourselves paged . Anybody else that wants to chime in is welcome!

 

[SV_Dude]

What are you wanting the dial indicator to be attached to? A torque wrench? Depth gauge? Micrometer?

 

[KidVermicious]

You lost me - torque wrench? I need something that can measure lash, clearance, runout, like this.



I thought that was generally referred to as a dial indicator, is there another term I should be using?

 

[SV_Dude]

Ok. My terminology was jacked up. In the aviation world we don't call it a dial indicator since most of our precision tools all use a dial indicator system. Even some of our torque wrenches use a dial indicator to check things such as run on torque.

I just did a google search for "dial indicator" and found the tool you're looking for. I guess they are called dial indicators.

Just about all of our precision tools for our aircraft are made by starrett. They are a littl spendy but are top notch. For what you're doing I would go to sears and get one there. I don't personally own one and for as little as I would use it in my garage I would try and make a set of feeler gauges work. It is a little more time consuming but I think you can get the same results.

 

[EatonKyleH]

I've got an old snap-on one.

Set, Dial Test Indicator, Ball Joint/Disc Brake

Buy once and cry...A LOT lol.

The shop owns this set below though and it works honestly just as good and costs a a quarter the price!

http://www.flexbar.com/shop/pc/FLEXBAR-VISE-GRIP-INDICATOR-KIT-p5036.htm

Anyway those are two I have experience with that will do what you want.

Hope it helps.

 

[EatonKyleH]

I like the snake like flex bar on both because you can set it exactly where you want and they lock up tight. Its great because its accurate, can be secured easily and the indicator can be positioned exactly where you want unlike some other set ups so you'll be able to use it on almost anything.

 

[SV_Dude]

I like the snake like flex bar on both because you can set it exactly where you want and they lock up tight. Its great because its accurate, can be secured easily and the indicator can be positioned exactly where you want unlike some other set ups so you'll be able to use it on almost anything.

For $125 that's a pretty good deal.

 

[fourwd1]

Check out Harbor Freight. I got a dial indicator and magnetic base from them when I was doing similar work.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Harbor Frieght wouldn't be a bad idea, my only concern is how long and how accurate the dial gauge is. I genuinely haven't had that great a experience with the level of precision that FSM page is showing. They are asking for about ten thousandths clearance and that is pretty rare for a automotive application from what I remember and I'm not sure I'd trust a Harbor Freight set to be that accurate, most of their equipment is very loose around .001 and even though some Digital Calipers say they measure .0005 I wouldn't trust it (even my Mitutoyo ones)

Dial Test Indicators | MSCDirect.com

Here's a website I use for buying some equipment for my machine toolbox when I'm doing some side projects. I have had great experience with Mitutoyo, they are pricey, but worth the money in my opinion, Starret is another good company, as is Brown and Sharpe. These are more in the professional machinist's realm of tools; but I'd consider the investment worthwhile.

So here's a Mitutoyo for $193 that has dial graduations in .0001's and guaranteed accuracy of .0001
Dial Test Indicators | MSCDirect.com

and then you can use a mag base like this for $76
Magnetic Indicator Bases | MSCDirect.com

Its pricey I know, but you're not going to find .0001 accuracy that the FSM is calling for on the cheap. I doubt any dealership has those type of tools. You could try and get by with a .0005 Dial Indicator for about $127
Dial Test Indicators | MSCDirect.com

 

[KidVermicious]

Harbor Frieght wouldn't be a bad idea, my only concern is how long and how accurate the dial gauge is. I genuinely haven't had that great a experience with the level of precision that FSM page is showing. They are asking for about ten thousandths clearance and that is pretty rare for a automotive application from what I remember and I'm not sure I'd trust a Harbor Freight set to be that accurate, most of their equipment is very loose around .001 and even though some Digital Calipers say they measure .0005 I wouldn't trust it (even my Mitutoyo ones)

That's a really good point, Blackworks, I hadn't realized how tight those tolerances were.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

That's a really good point, Blackworks, I hadn't realized how tight those tolerances were.

Like I said, you can probably get by with a very accurate .001" dial since you have about +/-.001" to play with, but I genuinely would feel more comfortable with .0001" if I was doing it; the extra $70 is worth it in my mind to be sure I am doing it according to the specs (even though they seem very conservative.)

 

[02SE]

I have a Starrett dial indicator. Brown & Sharpe and Mitutoyo are also good.

I can't comment on what inexpensive models are good, because when I bought my Starrett, none of the cheap ones I checked were worth using. Perhaps the precision of the cheaper models has improved since then.