Wheel brace or torque wrench
- Thread starter Marlon
- Start date
I'd advise it Colin. Having used one for a couple of years on this car, the amount of tightening is significantly reduced vs the times before (on previous cars) when I'd do as you suggest - just tighten by hand using a bit of body weight. Mine are torqued to 120nm; using my body weight, I could easily see it being far in excess of that. I remember first time I took my current wheels off, I needed to use a lot of extra force to get them undone, they must have been torqued way over 120nms! Excessive tightening will damage the bolts as I'm certain you know.
Its a one off expense and worth it for me. In fact, I think I'll get another smaller one to be honest for engine bay-related gubbins.
Stevo
Its a one off expense and worth it for me. In fact, I think I'll get another smaller one to be honest for engine bay-related gubbins.
Stevo
I bought one only because you can use it for other things aswell, I use it to change the wheels because the car doesn't come with a wheel brace.
Not really needed for wheel nuts though unless you're ocd about the torque settings.
Over tightening is usually done when an impact gun is used, by garages, tyre shops etc.
Not really needed for wheel nuts though unless you're ocd about the torque settings.
Over tightening is usually done when an impact gun is used, by garages, tyre shops etc.
Liverpool
I have three torque wrenches. Small, medium and large. The large one is this DRAPER 30357 1/2in SqDr 40-210nm Ratchet Torque Wrench https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007UJUEAK/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_02S6wbFNNGH5H
They don't cost the earth, can be used all round the car and will last a lifetime.
Surely five wheel nuts all torqued-up the same and in the correct pattern has to be better/safer than just guessing with a wheel brace.
They don't cost the earth, can be used all round the car and will last a lifetime.
Surely five wheel nuts all torqued-up the same and in the correct pattern has to be better/safer than just guessing with a wheel brace.
I have a 120nm Torque Bar which works with an airgun or battery gun! It's great.
I always check it with a Torque Wrench afterwards though.
Sealey 120nm Torque Stick
I always check it with a Torque Wrench afterwards though.
Sealey 120nm Torque Stick
Marlon said:
That particular large Draper torque wrench is 1/2 inch drive as most other large ones are also. So if you already have a 1/2 inch drive 17mm deep socket then you are good to go. If not you will need something like this Sealey SX03017 Alloy Wheel Impact Socket, 17 mm, 1/ 2-inch Square Drive https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000RO67R4/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_wVW6wb25KVDV2
I don't know if it would be wise to use a 1/2 to 3/8 inch drive adaptor with a 3/8 drive 17mm socket as you will be putting 120nM through it. Also torque the bolts in the sequence 12 noon, 5 o'clock, 9 o'clock, 3 o'clock and 7 o'clock.
Taz said:
If you tighten wheel bolts randomly or in a circular sequence it is highly likely that one bolt will be tighter than the others. As the wheel bolts are under stress when accelerating, braking and cornering this means there is a slim possibility that the 4 slightly 'looser' bolts may work loose with possibly disastrous consequences. This is why it is recommended to tighten wheel nuts/bolts in sequence and to the correct specified torque setting.
Your physics are stale...Marlon said:mmm-five said:
Interesting knowledge base you have there Tony
So that wouldn't be anywhere near tight enough - and there was me thinking I might over tighten by hand
1kg is around 9.8N so on a 0.5m bar then putting 100kg of weight through it would be 490nm...
Get a torque wrench, it's a very useful tool and after a while your natural judgement of torque will improve. Most wheel nuts are overtightened but you get away with it as they are big threads. When you undo 120nm with at least a 40cm bar you realise how overtight the nuts have been.
