Torque Wrench

[rossman]

Hi,

Does anyone actually use a torque wrench when swapping summer to winter rims?

In the past I have never used one and I dont think it did any damage to my rotors or pads. But now that I have a new car and a nice yaris I dont want to take the risk.

Suggestions???

Thanks

[1stToyota]

Hi,

Does anyone actually use a torque wrench when swapping summer to winter rims?

In the past I have never used one and I dont think it did any damage to my rotors or pads. But now that I have a new car and a nice yaris I dont want to take the risk.

Suggestions???

Thanks

I always use a torque wrench on my lugs. I also use torque sticks. In general I use some kind of torque wrench on any nut/bolt I tighten.

[supmet]

^^ eh.. torquing is good, but your lugs will be fine as long as they are tight.

[cali yaris]

Changing your wheels is not related to your brake system (rotors/pads).

I ALWAYS torque my lug nuts, but I think also take my wheels off more often than most do.

[thebarber]

i swapped wheels about a half dozen times this summer and never use my torque wrench anymore....though i used to use it all the time

now i just use a breaker bar w/ my socket to tq my lugs. a friend of mine from MO.com was surprised and disappointed that i didnt tq my wheels until he checked one of my wheels....was pretty much the right torque! ;)

i guess i just do it by feel now....

got some wheels overtorqued on the aveo by a local shop who obviously used an impact wrech....had to use a 4' long pipe on the end of my breaker bar to get them off!

[bearda]

Changing your wheels is not related to your brake system (rotors/pads).

I ALWAYS torque my lug nuts, but I think also take my wheels off more often than most do.

If you overtorque the lugs can't you warp the rotor? Kind of makes sense since you're increasing pressure on the rotor, especially if the torque is unbalanced from each lug.

[Indianspringsaz]

If you overtorque the lugs can't you warp the rotor? Kind of makes sense since you're increasing pressure on the rotor, especially if the torque is unbalanced from each lug.
No:wink:

[supmet]

got some wheels overtorqued on the aveo by a local shop who obviously used an impact wrech....

Ya, I've seen/had 2 cross threaded lugs(the 4 foot pipe just snapped the lug :frown:), and about 100 over tightened from tire shops, dealers, brake shops, quick lube places. I'd say most place just impact them on way to tight... discount tire is the only place I've seen torque them, and you still have to watch to make sure they pick up the torque wrench sitting 5 feet away :rolleyes:

Its probably *best* for the car to torque them every time, but far from necessary

[nemelek]

I don't torque mine.

[fmicle]

As far as I know, the aluminum/alloy wheels are more sensitive and should be torqued correctly, to insure that you have the same pressure/tightness on each bolt. I never used a torque wrench before on all my previous stock steelies, but it's a different ball game now :smile:

[schleppy]

I always use a torque wrench. It makes removing them a lot easier when it's time to swap again.

[sex]

I use a 1/2" Husky Pro 50-250 ft-lbs. torque wrench during each rotation. I find a 13/16" fits better than a 21mm. Get the right tool and use it.

[TLyttle]

I started using a torque wrench when the local tire shop stretched s few lugs putting on my snowies with an impact. Then they had the audacity to tell me that their impact was "torque controlled" and I was overtightening the new studs! Technicians they are not...

[thebarber]

put winters on both cars tonight....couldnt even find my breaker bar let alone the torque wrench.....giant ratchet ftw!

[YarisSedan]

I always torque my wheels down. I think factory spec is 76 ft lbs

[MUSKOKA800]

I always use my torque wrench for final tightening. Bought one, may as well use it. The extra couple of minutes isn't an issue. I also insist that tire shops do as well. If you've ever been on the roadside fighting to get lugs undone with only the OEM tools you'd understand why.

[robkay]

I try to torque everything to proper specs. Do you homework, though, as torque wrenches come in various torque ranges and, in particular, quality.

I bought an S & K 74101 which, to me, was a good balance between price and quality, and also a good torque range for most apps I would be using it for. Here's a link (you might find it cheaper other places; I bought mine at tooltopia.com, but it doesn't look like they carry it at the moment):

http://www.amazon.com/SK-74104-10-foot-100-foot-Micrometer/dp/B00061SNHK

[Roscoe]

I always use a torque wrench. It makes removing them a lot easier when it's time to swap again.

:thumbsup:

[WeeYari]

put winters on both cars tonight....couldnt even find my breaker bar let alone the torque wrench.....giant ratchet ftw!

What happened to your little electric impact wrench?

[DerFlosser]

Ya, I've seen/had 2 cross threaded lugs(the 4 foot pipe just snapped the lug :frown:), and about 100 over tightened from tire shops, dealers, brake shops, quick lube places. I'd say most place just impact them on way to tight... discount tire is the only place I've seen torque them, and you still have to watch to make sure they pick up the torque wrench sitting 5 feet away :rolleyes:

Its probably *best* for the car to torque them every time, but far from necessary

4 foot pipe for lugnuts? People bring their cars to those lube shops and actually let those guys touch their cars? Sounds like a torque wrench would be a good investment for you.

Obviously it's not neccessary but highly recommended to use a torque wrench. A good quality torque wrench can be had for minimal money and re-calibrated whenever neccessary. I have found the better one to be withing specs after years of usage as long as you reset the wrench and don't keep tension on the spring. I highly recommend the use of a torque wrench...when your family is riding in the car, you can never have enough piece of mind.

[thebarber]

What happened to your little electric impact wrench?

tucked away somewhere

and it was 9pm last night i did them...too late to be that loud

[WeeYari]

Just put on my snows this morning. Even tho everything gets torqued on at 76 lbs, had to impact the front right ones off.