Torque Wrench

[Bax]

I'm wondering, do you use an impact wrench, torque wrench, or just regular wrenches to put your lug nuts back on?

What got me wondering about this, is this morning I ask my dad if we have a torque wrench just out of curiosity, because I couldn't remember. So he says "no, but why do you need one?" I say simply because I'd rather use a torque wrench to put my lug nuts back on because impacts over-tighten them. Then he gives me this "I been doin it fur yearrrsss every shop duzz eet i nevar see no probleems. Yu aint gunna brake nuttin usin dat impact wrench we gotz."
Pretty much talking like I'm stupid for wanting to use a torque wrench, because it will take maybe 2 more minutes at the most (boo hoo).
Plus as much as I take my wheels off and on, and I will be in the future with possibly lowering my car a little more, getting new brake rotors, new wheels in the future, test fitting wheels and getting my drop dialed in, etc, I'd rather do it the right way at 80ft/lbs if I'm going to be doing it that much.

 

[xIrvin]

I actually just use me tire iron when i take off/put my lugs back on...
LOL'd at the accent

 

[Bax]

My dad's really country...

 

[kn0x47]

well from an engineer's stand point it's bad to over tighten partly because you risk cross threading. mechanics dont really care.

i normally use a torque wrench.

 

[RedRyder]

Don't buy a Craftsman torque wrench.

 

[JDM_Rook]

Don't buy a Craftsman torque wrench.

Speaking from experience? Did you have one fail on you? OP, I think I have a Gearwrench torque wrench and it works fine. Unfortunantly my impact gun isn't strong enough to even remove lugs, so I never have to worry about over-torquing. I think a good impact should be rated at 500 ft-lbs capability? Correct Me if I am wrong. I've applied anti-seize compound to the wheels studs on a saltwater boat trailer. I've read that anti-seize isn't a good idea cause it can lead to an inaccurate reading(over-torquing), but i know what saltwater is capable of too, so far know problem with that, though.

 

[Bax]

The impact we have is pretty strong. I can take my wheels off like I'm in a nascar pit crew. haha

Torque ratings are specifically for clean, dry threads. I know that for a fact because we went over that in this past semester. Anything to lubricate the threads will cause less friction and you will over torque. But this is stressed in a school where EVERYTHING has to be torqued right, so it's probably not as big of a deal on something like this. They're just very anal about torque ratings on aircraft.

edti: and yeah Chris, did something happen to one that you had or something?

 

[001Stunna]

I'd say use a torque wrench...and I actually put a tiny dap of antisieze on the threads as well since last year when i had a lugnut come out with the stud inside of it since the shop that put them on just gunned them on.

If you insist on using a gun on them, then make sure you get them finger tight then use the gun, it avoid some chances of misthreading at least.

As for torque wrench I have a PowerFist brand one i got for $22cad locally that has served me well for the past 2 years; recently bought a mastercraft maximum torque wrench for around $55cad on sale and have had no issues with it.

 

[RedRyder]

Speaking from experience? Did you have one fail on you?

edti: and yeah Chris, did something happen to one that you had or something?

Yeah, the handle just became unfastened to the torquing mech inside the wrench. I used it all of 5 or 6 times, and then once when I when to use it the handle just spun. Conveniently Craftsman's torque wrench is one of their only tools they don't offer a lifetime warranty on, and conveniently it's one of the most expensive.

So yeah, POS. Get a Snap-On or just non torque-grip types, so much more worth the money.

 

[kn0x47]

harbor freight ones are cheap. i havent had a problem with them yet