Replacing lug nuts: need torque wrench?

A while back, I allowed some nitwit to remove my tires to check the
brakes on my 2001 Accent. In the process, he damaged the chrome
plating on several lug nuts, and now they are badly corroded. I'd like
to replace them, but a lot of literature I read seem to say that an
expensive torque wrench is needed to safely install lug nuts. Can't I
just use the wrench in my trunk?

Chris

 

Hello Christopher,

CW> A while back, I allowed some nitwit to remove my tires to check the
CW> brakes on my 2001 Accent. In the process, he damaged the chrome
CW> plating on several lug nuts, and now they are badly corroded. I'd
CW> like to replace them, but a lot of literature I read seem to say
CW> that an expensive torque wrench is needed to safely install lug
CW> nuts. Can't I just use the wrench in my trunk?

I am confused. You seem to have more than one issue here ... damage to chrome
lug nuts, safely installing lug nuts and and expensive torque wrench -- all
are mutually exclusive.

Get the lug nuts on eBay.

Use a torque wrench to apply the correct torque to the nuts.

Yes you can use the wrench in your trunk to install the nuts safely, but
it is best to have a torque wrench.

Regards,
Wayne Moses
Houston, Texa

 

A torque wrench isn't necessarily needed to SAFELY install lug nuts, but
it is needed to PROPERLY install lug nuts.

Matt

 

There are many things we don't "need" in life, but there must be a reason
that any worthwhile mechanic uses them and why engineers specify torque
setting for so many components.

 

What would you call expensive? I don't consider torque wrenches
expensive.

On the other hand, why not just have a competent mechanic install some
for you?

 

Too much torque can shear a stud.

 

I am sure some people will not agree with me but thi
is my take. The exact amount of torque applied is not as importan
as tightening all the lug nuts close to the same amount. I bought
Harbor Freight wrench for $11.95 and know it is not as accurate as
calibrated Snap-On but it gets me in the ballpark and helps a
getting all the lug nuts tightened the same

I think most of the problems came about from those 250 foot-pounds o
torque applied by untrained tire changers. Sam's paid $135 to ge
one of my studs replaced a few years ago. Now they use torqu
sticks

 

Hello southluke,

s> I am sure some people will not agree with me but this
s> is my take. The exact amount of torque applied is not as important
s> as tightening all the lug nuts close to the same amount. I bought a
s> Harbor Freight wrench for $11.95 and know it is not as accurate as a
s> calibrated Snap-On but it gets me in the ballpark and helps at
s> getting all the lug nuts tightened the same.

I agree with you.

That approach is perfectly fine. The Harbour Freight torque wrench is better
and more consistent than the arm-method of judging torque, and has a better
chance of even tightening.

Regards,
Wayne Moses
Houston, Texa