Hey guys, havent posted in a long time, but still been browsin every now and again.

How many of you guys use a torque wrench when tightening lug nuts? I've read that 83 ft/lbs was the number for my car, but am wondering how many of you simply use the traditional x lug wrench and tighten to you see fit?

 

I use a tq wrench every time. Car manufacturers say to do it for a reason. well, a few reasons, but they are all good reasons. plus, IMO this is one of those things that is not hard to do, nor does it take an appreciable amount of time longer to do that a "+" style wrench.

 

Let me also add this, as I'm thinking this is going to be the common answer.

Can anyone recommend a good, but affordable torque wrench?

I'm leaning towards Craftsman now for 59.99. But if anyone else has a good one, please speak up!

 

tighten till i see fit for lack of a torque wrench

 

I use a cratfsman "digi-torque" wrench...lol, its called digi-torque because the tq numbers are digits...a rolling number strip...lol. digi...lol. anyway, It cost me $100 about 2 years ago, I use it every day, it still works fine. dont drop it. and always keep it in the case it comes in when you put it away.

I have more expensive/better/snap on tq wrenches for situations that require the precision.

 

I use one every now and then just to make sure I get them tight enough. I don't have a very good torque wrench though.

 

I got my torque wrench for harbor freight tools, costs me about $15, works great, use mine EVERY time I put my wheels on, about 50 miles after I put the wheels on and about once a month or so just to make sure they're still on tight.

 

every time. 60 dollar craftsman for me. Be warned, they do NOT warranty the tq wrenches for life. Only for a year.

 

That's right, I was thinking about this. I'd just get the lugs as tight as I could get them to the recommended spec. Then check/fix it with the harbor freight torque.

I've heard this. From the little I've read, I'd love to get a Snap-On torque wrench but a little to expensive for me.

 

My torque wrench is from Harbor Freight also, I bought it mainly to torque my c/c plate nuts.

 

I have the Jesse James edition one from MAC its nice and cheap off eBay, plus its powder coated black with WCC symbol etched on it which is sweet in my book.

Still dont use it on the lugs just go by man strength.

 

sry man, but that seems kinda dumb since you actually have a nice tq wrench. why not use it on your lugs? there really is no reason not to.

 

i torque everything that has a manufacture torque value. it doesnt really take much longer to use the torque wrench on the lugs. just get the lugs nice and tight and finish up with the torque wrench.

how do you guys calibrate your torque wrenches? my shop has yearly re-cals on them. i never bought one and wouldnt know what kind of businesses does this kind of work.

we also have to cycle 5 times them at full value if its being used for the first time that day.

 

Because there is no need to do that, do you really think the dealer and other auto shops do that when they work on your car? no they just hit with a am impact gun. Just use my breaker bar and tighten them up.

 

hmm...every dealer/car shop I've ever worked at...we torqued wheels. liability bro...if ya dont and for some reason (could be any other reason) a wheel falls off...the tech who worked on said vehicle is screwed...major. And not just out of a job...its court time.

 

I'm going to have to disagree. Every shop and dealership that I've been to, to have them work on a car of mine, they've always checked the lugs with a torque wrench. Of course they aren't going to do this if they aren't doing any kind of maintenace that requires removing the tires.

To add to this, Tire Discounter's near me also required me to come back in so they can re-check my lugs after 25 and 100 miles when I had new rims/tires installed on my old car.

 

"Lets just agree to disagree."- Ron Burgundy

 

Every time for me.

 

we could do that, but the reasons to tq your lugs are well known. and there is no good reason not to. so its kinda strange for anyone not to agree about it. but w/e.

 

Way to get the last word in their, lol.

BTW, what other things are their that a torque wrench can/should be used for, for normal DIY jobs. (I'm not talking engine rebuilds, etc., lol)

 

As in maintenance wise. Rear end fluid change, tranny fluid change, bunch of stuff.

 

Every time for me

 

torque those babies down...you dont wanna be one of those nubs loosing a wheels launching at the track!! haha

mine is just like a 40$ one from autozone

 

Went out to a Harbor Freight store today to buy one. Didn't feel the need to spend $60-80 for a Craftsman one. I've also heard of some reliability problems with the Craftsman one and it having only a 1 year warranty.

Bought a 3/8" drive, 84 ft/lbs max torque wrench. About 14" long I believe. Came with a nice plastic red case and the wrench itself is all high quality metal.

Price: $14.99 with lifetime warranty. Can't beat that for the price.

Already used it to check my current lugs and such. Good piece of equipment.

Also had to run to Sears to buy a 13/16" deep socket 6 point for the lugs.

 

I use a 80lb tq stick with my mac elec impact, beats messing around with a tq wrench.

Shawn

 

that works too, but doing it by hand with a tq wrench is more accurate.

I used to use a tq stick at work.

 

Tighten till i see fit than use torque wrench from my buddys house when i have a chance. I need to get my own but I do check them often never had a problem.

 

Yes, every time. Cheap insurance if you ask me.