Help, overtorqued lugs
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: columbus, oh
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![OH](https://www.rx7club.com/images/icons/oh.jpg)
The front wheels on my car crack cause the car sat throughout winter, so I have to put new tires on the car. My prob. is the lug nuts are tightened so much i can't get them off by hand, and i don't have an impact gun. Does anyone got any guesses to get them off? i can't drive it anywhere cause the tires are flat, but i can't put spares to drive it anywhere, i'm really stuck here
#3
Full Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: capital of Oregon!
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
dude, its not that hard... a gun has less power then what you can do by hand anyway...
just get a big ratchet, and a long bar to stick over the end of it... then use your wieght to break it loose... or hammer works too.
just get a big ratchet, and a long bar to stick over the end of it... then use your wieght to break it loose... or hammer works too.
#4
2 Rotors, 1 Turbo
![](https://www.rx7club.com/images/misc/15_year_icon.png)
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#6
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
![](https://www.rx7club.com/images/misc/15_year_icon.png)
Nothing beats an impact wrench. You can get just about anything off without damaging it, because an impact wrench won't break off lugs or strip threads like man-handling a breaker bar with all your might can.
Trending Topics
#12
rotary tech
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: tracy/stockton ca
Posts: 795
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
an impact gun doesn't care what its moving of course an impact can do more damage . you can do the same amount the only difference is u can feel it before you break the nut or bolt. with an impact you don't know until it becomes fubar. just get a breaker bar you will be surprised at how easy it seams to be with a 16" bar or a 24" bar like mine. if its been sitting all winter some pb blaster wouldn't hurt either before you attempt it.
#13
Not true. You will twist the stud off before you break a socket. I have had to do this countless times.
As said above, get a socket and wrench, preferably something longer. Find a bar of sufficient thickness (possibly 1.25" steel pipe 1/4" or 1/8" thick) and of sufficient length (18-24" should do). Angle the bar on the lug such that you can put your body weight on it and viola.
Edit" lol, i always use the impact rated sockets, so that may be why :P.
Also, as far as impact guns go, 250 ft lb guns suck.
As said above, get a socket and wrench, preferably something longer. Find a bar of sufficient thickness (possibly 1.25" steel pipe 1/4" or 1/8" thick) and of sufficient length (18-24" should do). Angle the bar on the lug such that you can put your body weight on it and viola.
Edit" lol, i always use the impact rated sockets, so that may be why :P.
Also, as far as impact guns go, 250 ft lb guns suck.
#15
rotary tech
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: tracy/stockton ca
Posts: 795
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
get a torque wrench you my friend are an idiot this is a terrible idea. torque wrenches are only ment to tighten a nut or bolt to a specified torque the only reason that you can change direction is becuase of the fact that there are some left hand threaded nuts and bolts out there. using a torque wrench to take off lug nuts would only show you how much force you need to take them off. you would most likely knock the torque wrench out of calibration and you have still failed at getting the lug nuts off. then you just ruined a torque wrench. you fail for sure
#16
Rotary enthusiast
![](https://www.rx7club.com/images/misc/10_year_icon.png)
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
this used to happen to me with my old saab, get a long-*** pipe, like a few feet if necessary, slip it over the socket handle then just stand on it
if that doesnt work: jump on it
the worst that can happen is you will break it (although i really doubt that)
if that doesnt work: jump on it
the worst that can happen is you will break it (although i really doubt that)
#17
Full Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: capital of Oregon!
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Wallbash](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/wallbash.gif)
![Wallbash](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/wallbash.gif)
![Wallbash](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/wallbash.gif)
ok dude, I worked at les schwab tire center for a long *** time... i think i would know how to take off a tire... seriously, if you dont know, dont give people false information.
#18
dAracIngPhaRmaCist
![](https://www.rx7club.com/images/misc/10_year_icon.png)
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Fort Lauderdale
Posts: 877
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just use some antiseize spray (let it sit for a while to penetrate) and then a 4 way lug tool... The lug will either come off or break the stud... Either way, the tire is off and the studs are only like $2 a piece at discount...
#19
I am in agreement with using a cheater bar. It is quite possible that you will snap a stud if they are seized.
Also, you should never, ever, ever use an impact gun to torque you lug nuts. Especially with alloy wheels. You will not get even torque. You will almost definately over torque. Both of those scenarios will cause bent wheels, snapped studs, vibration etc. I will set my impact gun to the lowest setting and use it to put the nuts on and settle the wheel ~20ft/lbs. Then use a Torque wrench to tighten the nuts to the specified torque. Or use my electric impact that will not go above 75ft/lbs when on a full battery.
It also helps if you know how to use a torque wrench. I have seen many a tire tech use them incorrectly. I had one guy use the impact gun to put the lug nuts on. He then set his torque wrench to 90ft/lbs and torqued the nuts. They all popped. He said they are at 90.
I said no, they are at least to 90 but most certainly not 90. Watched another guy put his full weight into the wrench when tightening. Most certainly went past the torque spec. Had a dealer insist that their guns would not tighten beyond factory spec because they used Torque Stics to put lugs back on
. When I got home I checked with my wrench and one of them was over 200ft/lbs.
Torque stic my ***. Needless to say that Borbet wheel was now bent.
Also, you should never, ever, ever use an impact gun to torque you lug nuts. Especially with alloy wheels. You will not get even torque. You will almost definately over torque. Both of those scenarios will cause bent wheels, snapped studs, vibration etc. I will set my impact gun to the lowest setting and use it to put the nuts on and settle the wheel ~20ft/lbs. Then use a Torque wrench to tighten the nuts to the specified torque. Or use my electric impact that will not go above 75ft/lbs when on a full battery.
It also helps if you know how to use a torque wrench. I have seen many a tire tech use them incorrectly. I had one guy use the impact gun to put the lug nuts on. He then set his torque wrench to 90ft/lbs and torqued the nuts. They all popped. He said they are at 90.
![Wallbash](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/wallbash.gif)
![Wconfused](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/Wconfused.gif)
![Icon No2](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/icon_no2.gif)
![Icon No2](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/icon_no2.gif)
#21
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
![](https://www.rx7club.com/images/misc/15_year_icon.png)
I've never broken a stud, nut, bolt, or thread by getting something stuck off with an electric impact wrench, but I've broken plenty of things by cranking on them with a breaker bar.
#22
Leah Dizon > Roast Beef
![](https://www.rx7club.com/images/misc/05_year_icon.png)
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Québec
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am in agreement with using a cheater bar. It is quite possible that you will snap a stud if they are seized.
Also, you should never, ever, ever use an impact gun to torque you lug nuts. Especially with alloy wheels. You will not get even torque. You will almost definately over torque. Both of those scenarios will cause bent wheels, snapped studs, vibration etc. I will set my impact gun to the lowest setting and use it to put the nuts on and settle the wheel ~20ft/lbs. Then use a Torque wrench to tighten the nuts to the specified torque. Or use my electric impact that will not go above 75ft/lbs when on a full battery.
It also helps if you know how to use a torque wrench. I have seen many a tire tech use them incorrectly. I had one guy use the impact gun to put the lug nuts on. He then set his torque wrench to 90ft/lbs and torqued the nuts. They all popped. He said they are at 90.
I said no, they are at least to 90 but most certainly not 90. Watched another guy put his full weight into the wrench when tightening. Most certainly went past the torque spec. Had a dealer insist that their guns would not tighten beyond factory spec because they used Torque Stics to put lugs back on
. When I got home I checked with my wrench and one of them was over 200ft/lbs.
Torque stic my ***. Needless to say that Borbet wheel was now bent.
Also, you should never, ever, ever use an impact gun to torque you lug nuts. Especially with alloy wheels. You will not get even torque. You will almost definately over torque. Both of those scenarios will cause bent wheels, snapped studs, vibration etc. I will set my impact gun to the lowest setting and use it to put the nuts on and settle the wheel ~20ft/lbs. Then use a Torque wrench to tighten the nuts to the specified torque. Or use my electric impact that will not go above 75ft/lbs when on a full battery.
It also helps if you know how to use a torque wrench. I have seen many a tire tech use them incorrectly. I had one guy use the impact gun to put the lug nuts on. He then set his torque wrench to 90ft/lbs and torqued the nuts. They all popped. He said they are at 90.
![Wallbash](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/wallbash.gif)
![Wconfused](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/Wconfused.gif)
![Icon No2](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/icon_no2.gif)
![Icon No2](https://www.rx7club.com/images/smilies/icon_no2.gif)
There are some tools out there that won't allow the impact to torque passed a certain level and unless you have expensive wheels using the gun to tighten the lug nuts is no big deal.
I had some old lady insisting that I do not torque her wheels to much so that she could remove them herself if needed be. I tried but it would definitely have been dangerous to comply with her request.
#23
Pistons are gay
![](https://www.rx7club.com/images/misc/05_year_icon.png)
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Prince George, BC
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
get a torque wrench you my friend are an idiot this is a terrible idea. torque wrenches are only ment to tighten a nut or bolt to a specified torque the only reason that you can change direction is becuase of the fact that there are some left hand threaded nuts and bolts out there. using a torque wrench to take off lug nuts would only show you how much force you need to take them off. you would most likely knock the torque wrench out of calibration and you have still failed at getting the lug nuts off. then you just ruined a torque wrench. you fail for sure
Step 1, set torque wrench to 150. Step 2, set torque wrench for reverse. Step 3, torque the lugs off.
Wtf is wrong with that? I work at a tire shop and do this on my wheels all the time, because I have those gay open ended lugs and don't want them to rust.
#24
Rotary Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Pasadena
Posts: 1,485
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
...................................LOL. Considering the torque on our cars is only 65-87, I can't see this being an issue.
Step 1, set torque wrench to 150. Step 2, set torque wrench for reverse. Step 3, torque the lugs off.
Wtf is wrong with that? I work at a tire shop and do this on my wheels all the time, because I have those gay open ended lugs and don't want them to rust.
Step 1, set torque wrench to 150. Step 2, set torque wrench for reverse. Step 3, torque the lugs off.
Wtf is wrong with that? I work at a tire shop and do this on my wheels all the time, because I have those gay open ended lugs and don't want them to rust.
I never use the torque wrench for turning off bolts although u can.
ANyways, ewhatever works, this is a lot of discussion for lug nuts.
1)spray with penetrating lube
2)use a breaker bar or impact
3)turn counterclockwise to take out
4)repeat 4-5 times depening on amount of lug nuts
5)pull tire off
Instalation is reverse of dissassembley, except for the lube part, you might want to use some antisieze.
I used to do tons of jobs without an impact gun. The trusty pittsburg taiwan breaker bar worked 75% of the time and broke 25% of the time. That is why its called a breaker bar. I used to do axles with breaker bars, even honda crank pulley bolt, and those are on there freakin tight.
#25
Full Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: capital of Oregon!
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
nice try, it actually proves everything about my ability to work on suspension, tires and wheels... thats why when you torque down a lug nut, you must do it by hand with a torque wrench to the manufactures specs... an impact gun is too hard on a lug and a lug nut and will snap or break them if you sit there and let it run. I would know.
now, back to helping this guy...
using a breaker bar is the best and most safe way to do it, it will help you be more smooth and have a better chance of not breaking it off... simple as that