We were going to renew our lease, but the landlord 'threw a wrench into the works' [=('Brit') 'threw a spanner into the works'] by increasing the rent.
The storm 'threw a monkey wrench into' their plans for a picnic. [=the storm ruined their plans for a picnic]
an emotionally 'wrenching' experience [=a very sad/painful experience]
(..) Mom screwed it up, of course. She'd always tell them about Judgment Day and me being this world leader. And that'll be all she wrote. Torque wrench, please. - Here. I wish l could've met my real dad. You will. Yeah. l guess. When I'm like, , I think. (..)1991 Terminator 2: Judgment Day