using a torque wrench to tighten lug nuts

[mowersplus84]

I Have seen quite a few guys using a torque wrench to tighten up the lung nuts on tires . i was just wondering if its better to use a torque wrench to tighen up lung nut and if there were any benefits to using a torque wrench over and impact gun or if its just preference.

 

[lotsoftools]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

Technically, lug nuts are supposed to be torqued to the manufacturer's specs. I've never done it and never had any problems.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

I always use a torque wrench mostly to make sure they are tight enough to stay on but not so tight that I have to fight with them on the side of the road if I get a flat.

I've heard about warped rotors but I've seen plenty of people way over tighten them without having problems with warping the rotors. It is fun watching these people throw a fit when they get a flat.

Chris

 

[#1SomeGuy]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

Torque wrench is the right way to put on tires...torqued to spec. A torque stick on an impact is ok. Anyone who just bangs things home with an impact or breaker bar is dumb.

 

[3baygarage]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

Torque wrenches are the proper way.
Lots of people over tighten with impact guns. There's always that chance of snapping off a stud when removing a lug nut after.
I was taught to use a torque wrench even after using a torque stick to double check.

 

[SALIV8]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

Yes always use a torque wrench. Over tightening causes break issues. I also don't like to stress an important safety item such as a wheel stud/nut because its easier to bang it on.

At lest use torque sticks if you are gonna use a power method..

 

[yuk]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

torque sticks aint all they're cracked up to be. their torque can vary from impact to impact and if the nuts are worn on the outside too.

alot of tire shops will overtighten with an impact and then stick a torque wrench on the nut and to wrench shows tight enough, but doesnt show too tight. thats why they dont touch mine.

torque wrench is the best.

 

[Zengineer]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

Torque sticks are made to get you close, use a torque wrench to finalize. I use an 80ft-lbs torque stick and finish to 90ft-lbs with a torque wrench. (that is the spec for my car, your mileage may vary)

Having investigated numerous "wheel offs" in industry, I get the heebeegeebee's if they aren't properly torqued. Rule of thumb, if it's spinning, it better be properly torqued!

 

[Jack Olsen]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

94 ft pounds for my track car. I haven't ever given it a thought on my other cars -- just tight. But I'm not going up over 130 every 45 seconds in those cars.

 

[taumac]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

I use a torque wrench always cause the rims I had and just became a habit. Plus its easier to get off if stuck on side of road with flat tire.

 

[mowersplus84]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

thanks ill use a torque wrench next time ive always used my 4 way to tighten up lung nuts . learn something new everyday.

 

[beatcad]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

on the side of the road w/ a flat the factory supplied lug wrench or a spider(4 way) w/ a little grunt is fine.
in any shop ive ever seen its just an impact.
yes on my own classic cars I have put anti-sieze on the stud and used a torque wrench.

 

[4BT]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

I'm not going to ruin the calibration of my torque wrench on lug nuts.

 

[pmason0]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

Always torque the lug nuts, but then again I'm a racer. Just have the habit of doing on all the vehicles, even the trailer after losing a tire.

 

[kendogg]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

I'm not going to ruin the calibration of my torque wrench on lug nuts.

Thats the right attitude. Why not buy a cheap torque wrench for wheels? More than being perfectly torqued to spec, it's more important that they're torqued evenly. 5-10 ft./lbs over isn't going to hurt anything on most cars, but uneven torque will quickly warp rotors. Too much torque can snap wheel studs, not enough and they come off. Wheel studs are usually large diameter, extremely strong, hardened steel, so we really don't need to think about elasticity. They just yield, and then shear.

 

[Zrexxer]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

I'm not going to ruin the calibration of my torque wrench on lug nuts.

How does your torque wrench know they're lug nuts? Did you tell it?

 

[Old Steamer]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

torque sticks aint all they're cracked up to be. their torque can vary from impact to impact and if the nuts are worn on the outside too.

alot of tire shops will overtighten with an impact and then stick a torque wrench on the nut and to wrench shows tight enough, but doesnt show too tight. thats why they dont touch mine.

torque wrench is the best.

I have seen way too many shops do this. They go air impact crazy.

I've always used a torque wrench and never had any problems.

 

[laser3kw]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

torque wrench always on alloy / aluminum rims. Steelies - grunt tight

 

[bcradio]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

I'm not going to ruin the calibration of my torque wrench on lug nuts.

That is one of the funniest things I have heard in my life...

 

[SMKS]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

I'm not going to ruin the calibration of my torque wrench on lug nuts.

Part of me thinks you have to be joking, but if you aren't...

This doesn't make any sense to me. Why even own a torque wrench if you're too afraid to use it? And, properly using and storing a torque wrench will not "ruin" its calibration.

If you're worried about your torque wrench, then buy one of the torque adapters and use that to check your torque wrench.

My experience has been that torque wrenches that are properly used and stored will stay in calibration for a long time. Even my 8-year-old HF torque wrench is still within spec and it has been used quite a lot.


To the OP-
There's no reason not to use a torque wrench for lug nuts. I use one and it works great for me. Many people will say you'll be fine without using one, but I like to do things the right way.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

I'm not going to ruin the calibration of my torque wrench on lug nuts.

Oh please do explain.....

 

[Kamp]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

I use a HF torque wrench on wheels, and my snap-on for engines. Will it hurt to use a snap-on for wheels? Nope.
Torque sticks are pretty good if used properly. But, so are impacts. Someone who does it day in and day out can get them almost all to the right torque. When I worked at a dealer, I could repeatedly hit within 5ftlb or so, just by the sound. I had people argue and check my work, and I never lost. However, 90% of the people running an impact aren't that good...
That said, I've torqued every wheel I've installed for the last 15 years or more, for all the same reasons above.

 

[jd_1138]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

I use a torque wrench always cause the rims I had and just became a habit. Plus its easier to get off if stuck on side of road with flat tire.

To get the lugs off, you can use a breaker bar. Makes it much easier than using that crappy little tire tool that comes with cars. I bought a Harbor Freight 25" 1/2" breaker bar for $8 and added a 19mm socket to it. One you use a breaker bar to loosen lug nuts, you will never go back.

 

[SALIV8]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

torque wrench always on alloy / aluminum rims. Steelies - grunt tight

Torque specs are for the hardware not the rim alloys...

 

[JCQuick]

with todays brake rotor's you better. I always use my torgue wrench on my wheels.
I use my 1/2" for big things and my 3/8" for engine and small things

 

[sselander]

What is wrong with German torque specs = "gutentiyt"

 

[SKFishing]

I have had two wheels come off due to improperly torqued lug nuts and had numerous broken studs. I now own two very nice torque wrenches, always tighten in the proper sequence i.e. criss cross, and retorque after 50-100 miles.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

I always use a torque wrench mostly to make sure they are tight enough to stay on but not so tight that I have to fight with them on the side of the road if I get a flat.

This is why you use a torque wrench !


In my first "real" job working at a gas station a long Long, LONG time agao, I found out you could tighten lug nuts harder than an impact wrench can get them off with a "4 way"/"cross" wrench.

 

[soj]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

I'm not going to ruin the calibration of my torque wrench on lug nuts.

I'm not going to waste my compressed air (or my air wrench) on lug nuts.

Different strokes, for different folks...

 

[jsaw]

I have had two wheels come off due to improperly torqued lug nuts and had numerous broken studs. I now own two very nice torque wrenches, always tighten in the proper sequence i.e. criss cross, and retorque after 50-100 miles.

Same here, but I have had wheels properly torqued with a torque wrench come loose. Alloy wheels are worse. Dual wheels need to be retorqued after 100 miles and checked a second time after 500 miles. I have seen 5 or 6 loosen up

 

[ford33]

I always use a torque wrench. I was surprised at how inaccurate my estimate for tightening lugs nuts was until I started using the torque wrench..

 

[fredybender]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

I'm not going to ruin the calibration of my torque wrench on lug nuts.

omg, I hope you have better understanding of what you said by now...

 

[4BT]

OMG OMG OMG lighten up ladies


I promise I use my torque wrench on my expensive Bogart wheels. The truck gets a gud-in-tite with the 1/2" breaker. Never had a loose lug, but everytime the truck goes for tires....the professionals leave them loose.

 

[jvitez]

I always torque them. If I have a torque wrench why not use it and make sure the job is done right?

I'll often use a torque stick one size below the final torque setting then use the torque wrench. Do it once, do it right.

 

[krdiesel03]

I use a 150 torque stick on my truck, the a torque wrench to bring it up to the 175.

 

[Slednut]

My truck and the wife's car both have aluminum wheels, I use the torque wrench on the wheels and put it on the bench. Once they have a run to town and back I torque them again. Then I put the wrench away, once in a while one will be a little loose after some miles are put on.

 

[dhall50]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

How does your torque wrench know they're lug nuts? Did you tell it?

 

[SlowAl]

Never had a loose lug, but everytime the truck goes for tires....the professionals leave them loose.

I hope they require you to sign a waiver before you roll out of there!

 

[4BT]

I hope they require you to sign a waiver before you roll out of there!

Guaranteed there will be at LEAST 2 finger tight lugs out of 6 per wheel by the time I get it home. I get the tires cheap enough.......bitching doesn't fix anything.

 

[Sea_Chicken1]

Re: using a torque wrench to tighten lung nuts

I'm not going to ruin the calibration of my torque wrench on lug nuts.

I'd like to know how you would ruin the calibration on your torque wrench while using it as intended. Torque wrenches are tougher than you think. I have dropped a torque wrench off of a aircraft and had the cal checked, it was still nuts on. Only a idiot would leave their lug nuts loose.