I'm thinking I could use a decent torque wrench for changing wheels, etc. Anyone have experience with this Sears one?
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...&vertical=TOOL

recommendations?

 

Kind of expensive for a torque wrench. $65 can buy you a whole lifetime's worth of tire rotations.

 

for what you are using it for its perfect

i had one from Sears but ive recentlyreopened my account with Snap-on

so im picking up one from them

 

That one looks good. I need to invest in a torque wrench and a hydraulic jack. That would make my life so much easier.

 

IMO i would atleast get 1/2" wrench

 

Here's one for a little less:

http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/tools/tw605.jsp

 

thanks NEO, good find - I wonder how the quality is on that one?

 

Johnny,

Grab me one while you are there - need something for the AME's!!

Jonny

 

I have a 3/8" Husky from Home Depot that I bought years ago. When I wanted a 1/4" one, I had a TireRack GC so I bought the one in the link. It has worked fine for me so far. Since you don't pull it out all the time, wear and tear would not be a big deal.

I can't vouch for accuracy since I (and many of us here) don't have a way to test that. My wheels have not fallen off yet.

 

I hope I'm not hijacking the thread here, but I have a quick (and most likely dumb) question. I know you use a torque wrench when putting the lug nuts back on to tighten them to a specified torque and to make sure that you don't overtighten them, but can you also use the torque wrench to take the lug nuts off? Is something like this longer than the OEM lug nut wrench in the trunk such that it will provide more leverage and make it easier to remove the nuts?

Chuck, let us know which one you end up getting and how it works out. I (and I'm sure others)will follow your lead.

e

 

The cheapest way to do this is to get a metal pipe from the hardware store that will fit over the OEM wrench. You will often find leftover pieces that are about 2ft long that they will sell you for cheap. I have one that fits over the OEM bar and fits in the groove that holds the lug wrench.

You can spend a little more money and get this:

http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/tools/pw1.jsp

I have this too and it works fine.

 

I have a craftsman 3/4 drive and a Matco 1/2 drive. the craftsman is my fav, but the Matco is good for things like drains plugs and the like because of the lower torque settings.

 

I use a Husky from Home Depot. I like it and very affordable!

 

I bought one like that from pepboys. $19.99

 

I bought one of those from tire rack about 4 years ago. My wheels haven't fallen off and I have not warpped any rotors. For consumer use, I would say its fine to use.