Hey guys, I just order a set of wheels for summer use only and when the time comes I plan to put them on the car myself. I'm wondering what tools I need to buy to perform this task? I know I need a car jack, jack stand, a torque wrench. What else do I need? What brand would you recommend?

Thanks for all the replies.

 

Just to note: you'll need a frame jack, because the jack stands normally go where the regular jack would normally be placed.

You sound like you know the stuff. You didn't mention a 1/2" socket breaker bar for loosening the lug bolts (that the dealer over-tightened ), or the matching 1/2" socket and maybe 6" extension. Also, for rotations, four jack stands make it really easy to rotate tires from front to rear. This may be overkill, but I had them anyway from my painting the disc rotors. Frame jacks and jack stands are relatively inexpensive. You can't go too far wrong with Sears brand, but other less expensive ones work too.

 

I personally use air tools =p.

19mm Socket + Lug nut key and impact on max counter and low/medium Clockwise.

Jack stand / jacks

torque wrench..


and muscles.

 

With air tools you have to wait for the tank to fill which takes too long just for a quick tire change. I use a ingersoll rand cordless impact gun because I'm lazy.

Stock lugnuts are 21mm and most tuner lug nuts for aftermarket rims are 19mm.

 

when it comes to tools, go to NAPA. they carry the best tools for the money. most of them are made in teh same factory as Matco tools. (if you dont know, Matco is a professional line of tools used by mechanics).

 

Only the Snap-On tools will cost you an arm and a leg

 

Even snap on's relabeled china crap is expensive

 

Does anyone know where i can purchase (online preferably) a 19mm .5 inch socket wrench so i can install these new aftermarket wheels i got.?? Or would it make more sense to buy a 1/2 inch breaker bar and buy a 19mm socket?

 

A torque wrench will be nice to apply an even and consistent amount of torque, so it won't warp your rotor. If you are in a pinch you can install the wheels with the hand tools in your trunk. To install one wheel at a time, you can just use the scissors jack that comes with your car, just don't go under it when it is on a scissors jack.

If you are talking about mounting the tire, you probably don't have the machines at home to do it. Bring it to a tire shop or walmart (if you want to save money), walmart charges something like $7-10 per tire mount, and they do it pretty good (hand tighten to the right torque rather than using air tool).

 

You don't want to use a breaker bar for your wheel, they are for breaking open stuck bolts that need hundred or more lb ft. You can use .5 socket with a .5 torque wrench or .5 ratchet, everywhere sells it (Sears, Autozone, etc).

 

considering most impacts START out at 150ft/lbs of torque, there's nothing wrong with using a breaker bar to crack the wheel nuts and then just finishing them off by hand. use a torque wrench to tighten.

 

Also note that the Lexus manual specifically says not to use air tools on the security lug.

 

nothing wrong, sure, but also no need.

 

If I can't break open the lugs with my electric impact, I use the breaker bar. If I can't get it off still, then I'll pull out my air gun. Doesn't matter what you use as long as you finish tightening the lug nuts with a torque wrench.

There is no ill-effect to using a breaker bar.