I got a $50 torque wrench from autobarn and unsure if I can trust it.

It used to have a rubber/plastic like clear cylinder shaped thing that went into a hole into the sidfe of it.

It has gone missing.

Do I need that plastic thing?

It still clicks but how can I be sure it's accurate?

I dunno if I can trust it though. My exhaust manifold bolts were loose as all hell according to the wrench, I had to give each around 1/2 a turn or a bit more to get it to 30nm.

That could be right though, I think they were last tightened 20 000k's ago or 100 000k's ago (when head gasket blew).

I too bought a $50 torque wrench, I dont trust it much any more (although it seemed to do the trick at the start) cause when i replaced my old cars head gasket, I torqued the intake manifold side, and water started squirting out when I started driving so I had to tighten it over what the wrench said. Also, the other day, I was tightening a spark plug on a camry to the specified torque requierd (roughly tight by hand and then another quarter) but the wrench seemed to continue and I didn't think it was gonna cut out in time before I threaded the plugs. Have you dropped it since you bought it? dont think that plastic thing is important as it doesnt connect to anything. Maybe get it re-callibrated by someone.

Hmmm

Yeah the plastic piece connected to nothing.

I'll test it on a spark plug.

The plastic part is just a dust cap that seals the hole used for adjustment. You are supposed to get them calibrated every year, but for $50 to buy a new one, who would?

If it is more than a year old or you have used it to undo a stuck bolt ( I know I have) then I would not trust it. Use your own judgement.

cheers
Scott

definately worth spending the extra when it comes to something thats measuring. you can get second hand decent brand ones on ebay and that for around that price as well.