KingCorvette93

Hello Everyone,

I just ordered new wheels and tires, mounted and balanced! I am somewhat handy, and would like to tackle this install myself.

However... I do not have a torque wrench, a jack, nor jack stands. Do I need anything else besides these three things? Can you all recommend some products?

My knowledge thus far:

• The torque spec is 100 lb ft per wheel
• DO NOT install the lugs sequentially; that is, skip every other lug
• Tighten the lugs progressively: 50 --> 80 --> 100 (I found some info that says increments of 25, then two passes at 100 for a "leveling pass")

Thank you!!

BigMonkey73

You'll need a breaker bar to get the lugs off, torque wrench to put them back on.

Tighten lugs in star pattern...meaning after first one, tighten one directly across from it next etc till you're done

SlothX311

100lbs per wheel nut is correct, no need to tighten them progressively though. While the wheel is still in the air, just get them tight, a little past hand tight is fine. Slowly drop the tire to the floor until it makes contact, when there's some weight on the tire it wont spin when you torque the nuts to the right spec. Star pattern till they're all at 100lbs.

Floor jack, jack stands, torque wrench (ft lbs, not inch pounds), and breaker bar. I also use a wheel hanger on german stuff, cant remember what the bolts are like on the vette, I've only rotated the tires once.

dmaxx3500

just take it to a tire store,pay them to put them on

cheaper then buying tools

BigMonkey73

Ya but if these wheels are special, you need to know that they arent' going to screw them up..kind of a risk if you've never used them. I never hesitated to buy the tools. We're men, we have Corvettes, buy the damn tools

SlothX311

Haha I agree BigMonkey. If you're going to be wrenching on the car in the future, buy the tools. I don't take it to a shop unless its something outside my comfort zone. Simple shop risk mitigation.

Also, KingCorvette, I forgot to add... after you drive on them for 50 miles or so, re-check the torque on the wheels.

KingCorvette93

Thanks for all the advice, folks.

I am going to buy the tools because I want to be able to look under the car once in a while... Even if not to do major work, but just to inspect and know what's going on. Also would like to learn to change the oil!

Where can I buy quality but not exorbitantly expensive automotive tools? Would a regular parts store have them, or Home Depot? I would prefer NOT online for this type of stuff!

BigMonkey73

Harbor Freight or Northern Tool are my usual go to places for tools. You can get the jack, jack stands, breaker bar, and torque wrench there all really cheap at HF.

Get oil and filters at Wal-mart.

With that said, the only tool I have personally spent more money on is the torque wrench. I bought a cheap-o at Harbor Freight a few years ago and over time it rusted up and I couldn't change the settings anymore. I only used it for my wheels, so it didn't really matter to have it adjustable. I take my car to the track, so I ended up buying a dedicated torque wrench that is a fixed setting. Now I don't have to worry about it and just pick it up and use it when I need to torque my wheels. Plus it is a bright color so I don't confuse it with anything else.



And if you want the oil changes to go super easy, think about a Fumoto drain valve. It replaces your oil plug so that you don't ever need to remove it anymore...one less worry. However, it does require a special torque wrench so that you don't overtighten it. Or you could just try to wing it, but I bought the wrench that measures in inch pounds.

https://www.fumotooildrainvalve.com/

SlothX311

Harbor freight.

SlothX311

This. The torque wrench accuracy is important. You get what you pay for here. You don't need to get Snap On or anything, just spend a bit of time looking at reviews and get a middle of the road one.

dmaxx3500

ok,if you want to o this,start going on youtube and watch some videos on changing wheels/tires,then give us what your cars is,,then we can tell you where to jack it up from,so you don't wreck it or kill yourself

you will need a ''low profile'' hyd floor jack [aluminum ones are lighter],a good lug wrench or breaker bar and the right sized socket,or an battery powered impact gun

extrapilot

Advance Auto stores sells the Gear Wrench brand that seems like fairly decent quality hand tools. Occasionally they have great discount prices also. I have a set of flexible sockets, well made, IMO
You could borrow the torque wrench, as I have Auto Zones that have a lending program in my area that do that without cost.

KingCorvette93

Ok fantastic - Harbor Freight it is!

How many jack stands should I get?

Also, can you briefly describe how a torque wrench works?

I suppose you set it to 100 lb ft and there is a guage that signals when the lug is that tight. Does the wrench lock up and stop turning at that point? Are all torque wrenches adjustable, or are some permanently set?

Shaolin Crane

Buy the higher end jack stands and jack from HF but for the torque wrench and hand tools go to a Pawn Shop or search on eBay. The hand tools at HF are still garbage

HBsurfer

Torque wrench will click and stop turning when it reaches the set torque.
Always store your torque wrench back at zero. (Don't leave it at 100#)

itomh

Does the standard C6 also require jack pucks to lift? I have a C6Z and I use them to lift. If so, you can make them yourself.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ck-thread.html

KingCorvette93

Ok I'll watch some videos.

It's a 2010 base!

itomh

This is what I do to do my oil changes and under body inspections every spring.

oldcanuck

Your avatar looks like you're a young guy.
IMO buy the best quality tools you can afford.
They're worth it in the long run in more ways than 1..
Buy once get the best.
After all you have a Vette and we're not talking about hamburgers here.

GS982

I get Craftsman jack stands from Sears. They almost always have some on sale around $30-40. I bought 2 aluminum floor jacks from Costco for $100/ea. (you can get away with 1, I just wanted 2). My torque wrench is from HF and I've had it 10 years without a problem. While I doubt it is super accurate, it gets the job done. I would imagine a HF breaker bar would be fine as well. If you want to start wrenching on your car, I would suggest a good set of wrenches, sockets and ratchets. I have craftsman and they are good quality for what you pay with a lifetime warranty. Buy a nice set as they are much cheaper than buying separately, and Sears runs good sales on mechanics tool sets.

FWIW, search around the forum for threads about race ramps and quick jacks. Depending on what you're wanting to do, might be worth the extra $$$ to you.