Who uses a torque wrench on lugnuts?

whitethunder46 · 03-03-2008, 04:01 PM

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?

zigzagg321 · 03-03-2008, 05:24 PM

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.

whitethunder46 · 03-03-2008, 05:29 PM

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!

B-rett · 03-03-2008, 05:42 PM

tighten till i see fit for lack of a torque wrench

zigzagg321 · 03-03-2008, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitethunder46

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!

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.

01FR500 · 03-03-2008, 09:55 PM

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.

00whtgt · 03-04-2008, 08:18 AM

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.

r3dn3ck · 03-04-2008, 08:36 AM

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

whitethunder46 · 03-04-2008, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00whtgt

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.

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by r3dn3ck

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

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.

01FR500 · 03-04-2008, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00whtgt

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.

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

spike_africa · 03-04-2008, 11:27 AM

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.

zigzagg321 · 03-04-2008, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spike_africa

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.

stanger00 · 03-04-2008, 02:47 PM

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.

spike_africa · 03-04-2008, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zigzagg321

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.

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.

zigzagg321 · 03-04-2008, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spike_africa

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.

whitethunder46 · 03-04-2008, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spike_africa

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.

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.

spike_africa · 03-04-2008, 08:23 PM

"Lets just agree to disagree."- Ron Burgundy

*03gtmustang* · 03-04-2008, 08:31 PM

Every time for me.

zigzagg321 · 03-04-2008, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spike_africa

"Lets just agree to disagree."- Ron Burgundy

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.

whitethunder46 · 03-04-2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zigzagg321

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)

*03gtmustang* · 03-04-2008, 09:33 PM

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

2kids3pets · 03-08-2008, 08:06 PM

Every time for me

03-03-2008, 04:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
whitethunder46 Always Detailin' Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 3,556	Who uses a torque wrench on lugnuts? 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?

03-03-2008, 05:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
zigzagg321 yup. Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: OH Posts: 6,567	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. __________________ image courtesy of wnracing /\/\FOR SALE/\/\

03-03-2008, 05:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
B-rett BMC Member# 03209 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: north ridgeville, ohio Posts: 1,637	tighten till i see fit for lack of a torque wrench __________________ ---35th Anniversary--- 265 rwhp 288 rwtq

03-03-2008, 09:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
01FR500 Cones Beware Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texarkana, TX/Conway, AR Posts: 674	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. __________________ 2003 GT H&R SuperSports l Tokico Illumina dampers l Maximum Motorsports c/c plates l MM XL SFCs l JLT RAI l MGW shifter l other goodies...

03-04-2008, 08:36 AM	#8 (permalink)
r3dn3ck Wowbagger hates me too! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Magrathea/California Posts: 6,702	every time. 60 dollar craftsman for me. Be warned, they do NOT warranty the tq wrenches for life. Only for a year. __________________ Built 5.5L 2v and Maximum Motorsports Max Grip box. www.squarerootofone.com My CarDomain Page

03-03-2008, 05:29 PM	#3 (permalink)
whitethunder46 Always Detailin' Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 3,556	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!

03-04-2008, 08:18 AM	#7 (permalink)
00whtgt Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 38	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.

03-04-2008, 11:27 AM	#11 (permalink)
spike_africa Administrator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Orlando,Florida Posts: 6,960	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. __________________ Dustin 2002 GT Mustang 5-Speed Drag Radials,Sprayed,Powershifted WOOO HOOOO!

03-04-2008, 08:23 PM	#17 (permalink)
spike_africa Administrator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Orlando,Florida Posts: 6,960	"Lets just agree to disagree."- Ron Burgundy __________________ Dustin 2002 GT Mustang 5-Speed Drag Radials,Sprayed,Powershifted WOOO HOOOO! Last edited by spike_africa : 03-04-2008 at 08:28 PM.

03-04-2008, 08:31 PM	#18 (permalink)
03gtmustang Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Va Posts: 3,175	Every time for me. __________________ D&D Auto Detailing -Dan

03-04-2008, 09:33 PM	#21 (permalink)
03gtmustang Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Va Posts: 3,175	As in maintenance wise. Rear end fluid change, tranny fluid change, bunch of stuff. __________________ D&D Auto Detailing -Dan

03-08-2008, 08:06 PM	#22 (permalink)
2kids3pets williteverend Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 68	Every time for me __________________