New? Shop-tool for comfortably torquing lug nuts/ wheel studs while vehicle is on the lift.

[Nobody-named-Olli]

Hi!

A company, fairly local to me, introduced a shop tool for torquing lug nuts/ wheel studs while the vehicle is on the lift - which could be considered very comfy/ good for your back I guess.

I have no stakes in this, I just looked into it after I saw it on YT and found out it’s a local company behind the tool. And I think it’s worth sharing. Maybe some already have “DIY” solutions for this, maybe it isn’t even that new and similar products already exist/ exist in North America? I don’t recall seeing something like this before, and if it actually saves one back it’s maybe worth it?

It’s a aluminum bar with two plates that “locks” the tire against the floor. This is the manufacturer: https://easyknack.com/

Picture copyright easyknack.com



Picture copyright easyknack.com

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[inphx]

seems like a few physics variables would make that ineffective

 

[u2slow]

When you have an operable lift, one tends to lower the vehicle near the floor so you dont have to strain your back lifting the tires/wheels. Then either put it on the floor for final torque, or use a wheel chock.

But I'm no licensed mechanic....

 

[Buckgnarly]

Interesting tool! We lower the lift until the tires barely touch to hand torque all tires at school, but I gotta admit as I get older something like this would make it MUCH easier! How much, though, my German is rough as it's been 30 years since high school!!

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

Could be that someone interested in this is already using a tire lift?

Also, not a mechanic, but I see all sorts of gadgets popping up to supposedly making life easier & shop owner’s pockets lighter.


-

@Buckgnarly I’ve only found one store so far in Germany selling it, and they are selling it for 159,- Euro/ 185,- USD. MSRP is said to be 199,- Euro/ 231,- USD

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[51dueller]

Looks like this could be accomplished much cheaper and faster with a brake pedal depresser tool, then could do all four wheels at once without setting it up for each wheel individually.

 

[lolaetype]

To me it looks like a solution looking for a problem. I tighten the lug nuts as well as I can with the car at a comfortable level and do what others have suggested; lower the car until the tires touch the floor sufficiently to prevent their rotation when I torque the lug nuts. But that's hobbyist/home use. Do tire shops do anything differently?

 

[manwithtools]

Do tire shops do anything differently?

Nope...

 

[u2slow]

Do tire shops do anything differently?

13 uggaduggas and send it out.

Thats my estimate.... based on trying to loosen them the next time.

 

[Schurkey]

My concern is that if the vehicle is somewhat unstable on the lift, torquing the lug nuts causes the wheel to jack-up on the support bar...which tosses the car off the lift.

That thing is a HARD "NO!" from me. Lock the brakes instead. Or just put the vehicle back on the ground.

 

[Twisted Sid]

Will be fun when someone forgets to grab it from under the tire and it gets loaded and flung like a javelin or sent up into the car when the lift is lowered

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

I don’t recall seeing something like this before

Bessey STE telescopic drywall prop. Various lengths available.

Being telescopic you can also use it to hold anything up or sideways in place.

Much cheaper too.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

Great input everyone!

Kind regards,
Olli

 

[Yankeefarmer]

Whether on my 4 post lift or the floor, I just lower that corner and put a block of 2x4 or 4x4 under the tire where the rotation of the tire while tightening wedges it between the tire and runway/floor.

 

[Sumboodie]

To me it looks like a solution looking for a problem. I tighten the lug nuts as well as I can with the car at a comfortable level and do what others have suggested; lower the car until the tires touch the floor sufficiently to prevent their rotation when I torque the lug nuts. But that's hobbyist/home use. Do tire shops do anything differently?

When I worked at Sears, i did tireson 3 4 post lifts with axle jacks.
Or had 2 in floor old style 1 cylinder air lift.
Just liwer car or hold tire with 1 hand and torque wrench with the other.

Makes me wonder what happened to all that equipment. It was a shop for 50 or 60 years. Now an REI? Hippie camping store and a guitar store.

 

[djbmw]

Generally the vehicle is simply lowered. Torque sticks are commonly used on lug nuts while the vehicle is in the air. If you must use a torque wrench instead, or need to torque an axle nut with the wheel off (instead of just removing the rim center cap), then applying the vehicles brakes via a brake depressor tool - or a stick of your choice - is what's typically done. Having said that - i dont see the need for the tool that OP posted.