bad idea to torque down lugs with cheater bar?

illini_wrx · 10-27-2008, 01:37 PM

i don't own a torque wrench, so i've always just used a 2 foot long cheater bar. someone just warned me about over torquing the lugs because of how much force im imparting with the cheater bar (because it might strip the lugs?)

is that something i should worry about? right now im about to use the stock lugs to put the stock wheels back on if that makes a difference

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mla163 · 10-27-2008, 01:41 PM

I would worry about over torquing and breaking the studs. It would take some work , but it's possible. buy a cheap torque wrench, or just get used to the "feel" of the right torque for the lugs.

fliz · 10-27-2008, 02:09 PM

You can get a lug-nut worthy torque wrench for $10 from Harbor Freight...really no excuse not to have one.

sniper1rfa · 10-27-2008, 02:12 PM

Or use a smaller wrench. Our cars only call for ~65 ft/lbs, which would be very easy to exceed with a breaker bar.

Remember that the more you tighten a bolt, the less strength it has.

Tirerack sells a decent torque wrench for 30 bucks or so. Buy one and you won't have to worry about it.

rdodger · 10-27-2008, 02:16 PM

It'll be very easy to strip with a 2ft bar unless you don't tighten them down much. Ive stripped some with a large 18in wrench before and generally just use an 8in wrench and go 90% as tight as I can go, or break out the torque wrench.

the_professor · 10-27-2008, 02:33 PM

Yeah, buy a torque wrench. It's an investment that is way cheaper than spending hours on replacing studs. Best $ spent for any car enthusiast.

2fas4u · 10-28-2008, 10:52 AM

yeah if your using a 2 foot extension and just torquing the crap out of them that is not good

Uncle Scotty · 10-28-2008, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illini_wrx

i don't own a torque wrench, so i've always just used a 2 foot long cheater bar. someone just warned me about over torquing the lugs because of how much force im imparting with the cheater bar (because it might strip the lugs?)

is that something i should worry about? right now im about to use the stock lugs to put the stock wheels back on if that makes a difference

75ft-lbs is about right

you are likely using 150 or more

get a torque wrench

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...itemnumber=239

oh yeah....your lugs are likely stretched all to hell and wont hold now at the correct torque....you are almost certainly going to have loosening issues until you replace all the studs

10-27-2008, 01:37 PM	#1
illini_wrx Scooby Specialist Member#: 155844 Join Date: Aug 2007 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Arctic Circle	bad idea to torque down lugs with cheater bar? i don't own a torque wrench, so i've always just used a 2 foot long cheater bar. someone just warned me about over torquing the lugs because of how much force im imparting with the cheater bar (because it might strip the lugs?) is that something i should worry about? right now im about to use the stock lugs to put the stock wheels back on if that makes a difference * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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10-27-2008, 01:41 PM	#2
mla163 Scooby Specialist Member#: 104922 Join Date: Jan 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: NoVA Vehicle: 2013 BRZ. 94 Miata	I would worry about over torquing and breaking the studs. It would take some work , but it's possible. buy a cheap torque wrench, or just get used to the "feel" of the right torque for the lugs.

10-27-2008, 02:09 PM	#3
fliz Scooby Guru Member#: 30342 Join Date: Nov 2002	You can get a lug-nut worthy torque wrench for $10 from Harbor Freight...really no excuse not to have one.

10-27-2008, 02:12 PM	#4
sniper1rfa Scooby Specialist Member#: 141040 Join Date: Feb 2007 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Designing things Vehicle: 07 2.5i wagon UGM	Or use a smaller wrench. Our cars only call for ~65 ft/lbs, which would be very easy to exceed with a breaker bar. Remember that the more you tighten a bolt, the less strength it has. Tirerack sells a decent torque wrench for 30 bucks or so. Buy one and you won't have to worry about it.

10-27-2008, 02:16 PM	#5
rdodger Scooby Newbie Member#: 156447 Join Date: Aug 2007 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: NWIndiana Vehicle: 99 18g'd 2.5RS-T Black	It'll be very easy to strip with a 2ft bar unless you don't tighten them down much. Ive stripped some with a large 18in wrench before and generally just use an 8in wrench and go 90% as tight as I can go, or break out the torque wrench.

10-27-2008, 02:33 PM	#6
the_professor Scooby Newbie Member#: 192317 Join Date: Oct 2008	Yeah, buy a torque wrench. It's an investment that is way cheaper than spending hours on replacing studs. Best $ spent for any car enthusiast.

10-28-2008, 10:52 AM	#7
2fas4u Scooby Specialist Member#: 90691 Join Date: Jul 2005 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Manchester, Maryland Vehicle: 2005 STI / 2009 STI Blue	yeah if your using a 2 foot extension and just torquing the crap out of them that is not good