B-STOCK

I have to remove my wheels and don't have my breaker bar with me. I only use my torque wrench to tighten bolts, lugs etc. Will it put unnecessary wear or mess up the calibration if I use the torque wrench as a breaker bar to remove my lugs? Thanks, Mike

dennis50nj

no it wont, i havnt seen any left hand thread tq wrenches

saplumr

I use mine to break the nuts loose but who knows if I've done any damage...I doubt it.

B-STOCK

I am not sure I understand your answer. My torque wrench has lever to change directions just like a ratchet wrench. When going left does it just act like a regular breaker?

dennis50nj

some cars like mopar have left handed wheel studs or threads and a torque wrench works and reads in both directions left or right hand threads

VET4LES

It will read a value in either direction. No problem to remove your lug nuts with it.

Snake.Oiler

If you are going to use it like that, put it at the highest setting and don't be smacking it with a hammer.

saplumr

If you have to hit it with a hammer....you've already got big problems.

B-STOCK

Thanks, I wasn't aware it read values in both directions.

HANNY

turn it up to like 150 when you do it and it wont hurt a thing. The thing that hurts the calibration the most is to NOT back it off between uses. Loosen it up all the way to take the pressure off the internals. It doesnt effect it much but that alongf with dropping it will throw off the calibration a bit. Not a big deal if your just using it for lugnuts (a few pounds off isnt the end of the world) but if your like me and use it for tourquing heads etc.. you want it to be accurate

Vette5.5

Not sure how often you're removing the wheel's, but trade between a track set several time's a year, and find a long handled 3/4" drive ratchet works best for breaking the nut's loose. Easily swing's more than one stroke, then spin em' off with a cordless drill. I put the lug's back on with the drill, then use the torque wrench. Maybe not what you're asking, but if swapping wheels often, one of the quicker way's.

B-STOCK

Always looking for helpful time-labor saving tips.

AORoads

correct.

BillH2121

I hope it doesn't hurt because I use mine like that all the time - I even occasionally hit it with a rubber mallet to loosen things. As said above, back it off to 0 when not in use and everything should be fine.

BoosterClub

Right don't hit it, and put it on a high setting, dont "click" it and keep applying force.

Yea, the backing it off thing does really nothing, I left one at over 80 foot pounds for about 3 years and it was still just as accurate. I'm lazy and have an electric one now for important stuff other then lug nuts.

JoesC5

I carry a Gorilla lug wrench. Picked it up at WalMart and it has it's own carrying case. It has a telescoping handle so it extends to a distance that I can loosen the lug nuts with inducing another heart attack.

3 Z06ZR1

I have a snap-on TQ wrench that only tightens right handed!

ufso

Both of my torque wrenches say, "Don't use as a breaker bar/knuckle braker."

Are there wrenches that say the bar can be used as both?

saplumr

Mine is right hand thread only and says absolutely nothing about limits other than release tension when finished.