Torque Wrench

[thebarber]

i swapped wheels about a half dozen times this summer and never use my torque wrench anymore....though i used to use it all the time

now i just use a breaker bar w/ my socket to tq my lugs. a friend of mine from MO.com was surprised and disappointed that i didnt tq my wheels until he checked one of my wheels....was pretty much the right torque! ;)

i guess i just do it by feel now....

got some wheels overtorqued on the aveo by a local shop who obviously used an impact wrech....had to use a 4' long pipe on the end of my breaker bar to get them off!

[supmet]

Originally Posted by thebarber

got some wheels overtorqued on the aveo by a local shop who obviously used an impact wrech....

Ya, I've seen/had 2 cross threaded lugs(the 4 foot pipe just snapped the lug ), and about 100 over tightened from tire shops, dealers, brake shops, quick lube places. I'd say most place just impact them on way to tight... discount tire is the only place I've seen torque them, and you still have to watch to make sure they pick up the torque wrench sitting 5 feet away

Its probably *best* for the car to torque them every time, but far from necessary

[DerFlosser]

Originally Posted by supmet

Ya, I've seen/had 2 cross threaded lugs(the 4 foot pipe just snapped the lug ), and about 100 over tightened from tire shops, dealers, brake shops, quick lube places. I'd say most place just impact them on way to tight... discount tire is the only place I've seen torque them, and you still have to watch to make sure they pick up the torque wrench sitting 5 feet away

Its probably *best* for the car to torque them every time, but far from necessary

4 foot pipe for lugnuts? People bring their cars to those lube shops and actually let those guys touch their cars? Sounds like a torque wrench would be a good investment for you.

Obviously it's not neccessary but highly recommended to use a torque wrench. A good quality torque wrench can be had for minimal money and re-calibrated whenever neccessary. I have found the better one to be withing specs after years of usage as long as you reset the wrench and don't keep tension on the spring. I highly recommend the use of a torque wrench...when your family is riding in the car, you can never have enough piece of mind.