Checking wheel torque settings

[Buddyboy]

I am particular about my wheel nut torque settings and use my own torque wrench to set them. There is much to be read about how to do that. However, how do I check what torque settings have been set by the garage when I get my car back after service? Is there a way to see how tight they tightened each lug nut?

Topic

[twiggy]

I usually just loosen one lug nut at a time and just retighten myself just to be sure.

[college man]

what you could do is set your torque wrench to you wheel torque.
lets say it should be 100 pounds. see if the torque wrench clicks
or tightens. I usually go home. Loosen the lugs with my impact gun and
torque all my wheels to the correct spec.

[Buddyboy]

Thank you both. Yes, that’s what I do also, but I like to check on the work of the (dealer) garage rather than let them off the hook completely. One time I guestimated that one lug nut was about 130 ft/lb instead of 100. Such an imbalance can warp your rotors. I wondered if there was an accepted way to measure. The only way I can think of is to progressively tighten up the setting on my click torque wrench and see if the nut moves at all before clicking. If it moves, it was set at the number immediately previous when it didn’t move.

[college man]

I like to check the torque to. But when its all said and done.
You will end up loosening the lugs and putting the correct torque.

[crypkilla]

A beem torque wrench is the easiest way. apply leverage just until the nut budges. keep an eye on the wrench to get a fairly accurate idea what the torque value was when it budged. now that you’re over tight, just back it off and retorque. it may help to hold a finger on the nut to feel when it budges since ur eyes will be on the gauge.

i spose u could use a click style also by setting it starting a bit lower than expected, checking to see if it budges, and progressively adjusting the setting upwards until it budges.

just be sure when your done to back it off lower than the spec, then torque upward to spec. Example: Assume your spec is 100 ft/lbs and the tire shop got it right. To check, apply leverage till it budges (which would happen essentially just above 100 ft/lbs) and say it ends up now at 110. back it off to like 70 or something, then retighten upward to 100, rather than just backing it off from 110 straight to 100. Basically never torque a fastener downward from a higher torque value. Only upward from a lower value.

and do this in a star pattern of course, without the full weight of the vehicle on the tire (just enough to keep the tire from spinning)

Here’s a sweet beam torque wrench.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-1-2-in-dr-beam-style-torque-wrench/p-00903300000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1&PDP_REDIRECT=false&s_tnt=39869:4:0

I abhor tire shops. All in one visit to my local “we come running” shop, i’ve had them over torque my lug nuts by using just an impact wrench, randomly over inflate my tires, use an incorrect tire rotation pattern, fail to successfully diagnose the source of a leak (corrosion on the rim where the bead seats) AND replace a chrome air cap with a plastic green one. Not to mention the great job they do “washing” the rims. great business plan if your in the business of selling brakes and tires…

[Dave]

Static torque is not accurate the tire industry wants the torque wrench to turn at least 1/4 of a turn then the torque should be right. Use the correct tightening pattern and torque the nuts in 1/3 increments ie. 33 ft lbs 66 ft lbs then 100 ft lbs

Just setting your wrench to the torque and seeing when it clicks is not accurate on nuts that are already tight

[Buddyboy]

Thanks, guys. You have understood my concerns and given useful feedback. Loosening and resetting the torques is not the issue. Being able to determine the torque set by my garage is my goal. They are usually pretty good but, as Reagan said, “trust, but verify”. When I tell them things like “you over-torqued one wheel by 15 pounds” they know I check things so it keeps them on their toes in all things they do for me. Properly mounted and set wheels and tires is really important. I see them using those torque limiters on their impact wrenches but I insist they hand torque my wheels. Apparently there are many customers that have the same stipulation. I wonder why.

[crypkilla]

[quote=”brokemechanic3000″ post=61787]
Just setting your wrench to the torque and seeing when it clicks is not accurate on nuts that are already tight[/quote]

makes sense. so the verdict is back em off and retorque and assume the tire shop was wrong cuz it probly was lol

it takes extra torque to overcome friction and all that. so trying to measure by watching when it budges could give a false high value.

[quote=”Buddyboy” post=61792]
Being able to determine the torque set by my garage is my goal
[/quote]

¡impossiblé!
http://www.futek.com/product.aspx?stock=FSH00718

[crypkilla]

someone in a forum somewhere said this:

Put a beam style torque wrench on the nut and let go of it. Make note of what angle the wrench lies, maybe mark an outline of the wrench on the tire with a grease pencil. Back off the nut then tighten the nut until the wrench returns to the same position it was in before you backed it off. The torque you had to apply to get back to this original position is an approximation of how much torque was originally applied to get the nut there in the first place.

Sounds legit. I wouldnt trust any method enough to go in admonishing the tire shop guys tho.

the above method is probly easier with a click style wrench.

[drthrift035]

Torque for wheel can be a real issue. I worked at a garage where we had to manually check each wheel with a click style torque wrench after we had used an impact wrench. A lot of other places just ram the lug nuts back on with no check of the torque. In reality it a way for them to create more work in the form of warped rotors and other parts. Very crooked.

[Buddyboy]

crypkilla: I like your suggested method and agree it is not enough to condemn anyone with but it would appear to give a good idea. I will use it with my click type torque wrench.

dthrift: I also agree with your comments.

I watched a mechanic from a distance while he replaced a wheel, using only an impact wrench. When I mentioned it to the service manager he stated the mechanics use a torque limiter. From what I am aware of torque limiter sockets they are comprised of a bar, something I did not see on the impact wrench. Since then I have insisted on hand torquing. They say they comply. I am left wondering, just how reliable are those torque limiting wrenches used on impact guns?

[drthrift035]

Buddyboy. It’s all about the little things. If the mechanic slacks in one area. He can slack in other areas. Perhaps I am paranoid. But I don’t want anyone working on my vehicle. Think if a guy doesn’t want to use a torque wrench on tires imagine a job like engine reassembly where he is doing it by feel. This business is to serious to take chances with anything. Follow the rules to the letter of the law unless there are circumstances outside of your control.

Eg. Broken down at the side of the road without all the specialty tools.

P.S

Buy a Service Manual for your vehicle to stay informed. You can go to Haynes.com or Alldata.com

[Author]

Replies