Torque Spec when Installing Wheels ?
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20,030
Likes: 289
From: Wylie TX --> Less is More, except under the hood !
Torque Spec when Installing Wheels ?
Guys:
What is the torque spec when installing wheels on the wheel bolts ? I heard its 100ft/lbs
Is this correct ?
Thanks !
What is the torque spec when installing wheels on the wheel bolts ? I heard its 100ft/lbs
Is this correct ?
Thanks !
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 46
From: Taylorsville North Carolina
Unless you use a torque wrench alot, the $80 from Sears seems expensive to me. Go to Harbor Freight and you can get the old style one for $9.99. Works well for me! Can't believe they can make money on it. Actually, I like it so much that I bought their 1/2" ratchet for $7.99 instead of the $22.99 craftsman. Keep in mind I am a weekend mech, not a professional. Just a suggestion.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 794
From: Longview Texas
Unless you use a torque wrench alot, the $80 from Sears seems expensive to me. Go to Harbor Freight and you can get the old style one for $9.99. Works well for me! Can't believe they can make money on it. Actually, I like it so much that I bought their 1/2" ratchet for $7.99 instead of the $22.99 craftsman. Keep in mind I am a weekend mech, not a professional. Just a suggestion.
I would be a little concerned about the accuracy of a $10 torque wrench. If you are going to go to the trouble to torque the lugs, at least get a tool that is reasonably accurate.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,791
Likes: 355
From: Northville, MI
You might be amazed at which torque wrench is more accurate, money is not the determining factor. Take a 5 gal bucket and 40 lbs of play sand (get from Lowes, etc) and weigh them, eg. 41 lbs, lock the TQ Wrench in a vise and set to 41 lbs and then position the pail 12" from pivot point. If it is dead on you will Click or move the dial on the TQ wrench. Adjust to find the error and then make it on the wrench.
I have 3 TQ wrench's I have accumulated thru the years. I measured the above at 18" and set everything for 60 lbs. The Harbor Freight was 1.5lbs off (61.5), the Sears was 3.5 lbs and the beam was .5 light. Dave Farmer mentioned that tip several years ago in the Forum.
I have 3 TQ wrench's I have accumulated thru the years. I measured the above at 18" and set everything for 60 lbs. The Harbor Freight was 1.5lbs off (61.5), the Sears was 3.5 lbs and the beam was .5 light. Dave Farmer mentioned that tip several years ago in the Forum.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 643
Likes: 2
From: Alexandria Northern Virginia
For the what its worth department...
Always store your torque wrenches at a Zero setting; ie, the lowest setting or at the STOP point on the dial. The springs are sensitive to stress over time and if you leave it at a position under tension it can become inacurate.
I learned that as a mechanic for Ford. All tools for Ford were to be kept without torque on them and the Snap On dealer told me the same thing
As for a Harbor Freight wrench, its your car man, but there are other places to cut corners than on the Vette. Everytime I do brakes, the bigger tools come in handy. I can see if you never mess around with cars but if you are in it far enough to read a forum about them I feel you're pretty well committed If you were nearby you could borrow mine
Cassidy
Always store your torque wrenches at a Zero setting; ie, the lowest setting or at the STOP point on the dial. The springs are sensitive to stress over time and if you leave it at a position under tension it can become inacurate.
I learned that as a mechanic for Ford. All tools for Ford were to be kept without torque on them and the Snap On dealer told me the same thing
As for a Harbor Freight wrench, its your car man, but there are other places to cut corners than on the Vette. Everytime I do brakes, the bigger tools come in handy. I can see if you never mess around with cars but if you are in it far enough to read a forum about them I feel you're pretty well committed
If you were nearby you could borrow mine Cassidy
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
It wasn't that long ago that someone posted about breaking off a critical fastener...heads maybe?...and he was using a HARBOR FREIGHT torque wrench set at the specified setting. That's all Chinese made. No thanks.
Tools are one thing you shouldn't try to save a few bucks.
Tools are one thing you shouldn't try to save a few bucks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 9,891
Likes: 1,829
From: Hot Springs AR
You might be amazed at which torque wrench is more accurate, money is not the determining factor. Take a 5 gal bucket and 40 lbs of play sand (get from Lowes, etc) and weigh them, eg. 41 lbs, lock the TQ Wrench in a vise and set to 41 lbs and then position the pail 12" from pivot point. If it is dead on you will Click or move the dial on the TQ wrench. Adjust to find the error and then make it on the wrench..
Have a good one,
Mike
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,246
Likes: 1,093
From: Dyer, IN
It wasn't that long ago that someone posted about breaking off a critical fastener...heads maybe?...and he was using a HARBOR FREIGHT torque wrench set at the specified setting. That's all Chinese made. No thanks.
Tools are one thing you shouldn't try to save a few bucks.
Tools are one thing you shouldn't try to save a few bucks.
Never cut corners on tools. After all, you'll have them a lifetime. You'll never convice some guys though. I guess it's just like the jack pad thing. You can either buy the good quality that will last forever, or go hillbilly with hockey pucks and eye bolts. Funny thing, I've never heard of the good quality jack pads cracking or coming apart. I guess it's ok to go hillbilly sometimes, but never..ever..on a vette!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
If I was a professional mechanic or as in your case an engineer, I'd buy the best torque wrench, also 
whether it's SNAP ON, MATCO, CORNWALL, SK, MAC, etc.
For the large majority of "shade tree" type automotive enthusiasts, a CRAFTSMAN, HUSKY or similar quality will last them a lifetime with proper care.
whether it's SNAP ON, MATCO, CORNWALL, SK, MAC, etc. For the large majority of "shade tree" type automotive enthusiasts, a CRAFTSMAN, HUSKY or similar quality will last them a lifetime with proper care.
Guest
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Never cut corners on tools. After all, you'll have them a lifetime. You'll never convice some guys though. I guess it's just like the jack pad thing. You can either buy the good quality that will last forever, or go hillbilly with hockey pucks and eye bolts. Funny thing, I've never heard of the good quality jack pads cracking or coming apart. I guess it's ok to go hillbilly sometimes, but never..ever..on a vette!
