Abstract: A torque control tool for installing and removing threaded fasteners couples a driven section of the tool with a drive section of the tool through detent balls of the former and a clutch plate of the latter. The clutch plate keys to a stem of the drive section for rotation together and has semi-spherical sockets of substantially the same radius of curvature as the balls receiving the balls and lying on a circle about a rotational axis of the driven section. A carrier plate cages the balls so that they index with the clutch plate sockets and keys to the balance of the driven section to transmit torque to it. Reliefs to the side of each socket and centered on the circle of the sockets permit the detent balls to uncouple from the drive section at an applied installation torque less than the uncoupling torque in the opposite, removal direction.