One more reason I try to do my own work when possible....

My truck was in the body shop because of a recent wreck - got it back last week.
Weather got nice, so I decided to put my new summer wheels/tires on.

When removing my front wheels (they were both off during repairs), I actually broke a 1/2" drive Snap-On 12" ratchet. I couldn't believe how tight the lug nuts were.

This is why I installed my own new wheels instead of the tire shop.
Don't any of these shops know what a torque wrench is, or why it is necessary?

Another recent experience with a 3 month old John Deere diesel tractor that I brought in to the shop for a warranty repair. After removing a rear wheel and ROPS, the "tech" grabbed his air gun and proceeded to reinstall. I stopped him, and asked him about torquing the ROPS (very important) and wheel....his response was: "I've never used a torque wrench in the 5 years I have been here". Well, I told him, you are going to use it now!

Sure enough, brought out his box with a brand new torque wrench......

Anyway, hopefully the rotors on my 6 month old truck are OK - but I have had a bent rotor on a VW once before because of this.

[/rant]

 

I always use a torque wrench when installing or rotating wheels. This weekend my snap-on got used twice, once on my 04 and once on the wifes Focus.

 

yeah most shops think they are funny guys when putting wheels on, the last time a shop took my rims and tires off i requested then hand tightened then and boy did i get a look.

 

weird my local shop always torques my wheels down everytime...its different with every shop i guess

 

If your tire shop doesn't torque, I'd be looking for another one.

 

i wanted them to hand tighten them with a torque wrench, not a use the gun and pin that mother wide open to be funny guys. i think i worded that wrong

 

What are they supposed to be torqed down too?

 

i torque mine to 150

 

I've never had any problems with the local ford dealer, but the Audi dealer torqued the hell out of my brothers wheels.

 

i think its supposed to be closer to 120 ft, but anyways, I torrque my own properly, but when i had to have my valve stems replaced, the discount tire direct guys used a torgue wrench, I didnt even ask them too, just figured they wouldnt do it but they did it on their own... and oh yeah they replaced my valve stems for free even though i didnt buy my tires there.

 

yep 150

 

'04-up F-150- 150Ft Lbs it is. There was a guy on here with an '08 F-150 a while back that lost a wheel going down a grade and did some damage to his new truck. Couldn't figure out why it happened. I think he had torqued them to about 85-90 lbs. Pays to read the owners manual, cover to cover.

 

It was easy to warp a VW drum. I always use a torque wrench (have 5 of 'em) and I would never try to take a wheel off of a '04-up F-150 with a 12" ratchet. 150 Lbs. of torque is probably too much for a 12" ratchet. Hope Snap-On will replace that for you.

 

They make "torque" wrenches for Impacts. A lot of places use those.

Also unless you spend some good money on a torque wrench(couple hundred) you don't have a good one. A harbor freight special is not a quality torque wrench.

 

I have torque stick for my gun.

150 is alot though.. i usually do 100 on mine