way back i think i remember one of the torque wrench instruction sheets recommending relaxing the spring, i never do though. i picked up a torque wrench from harbor freight for $13.00, with case and compared it to my snap-on, $250.00, plus $ for case, almost dead on. it's not really as much about the number as it is about the even. just my experience.

 

You should. Especially if you have disk brakes. I have had rotors warped from tire jockys using an impact gun on the lugs. They don't have a clue as to how darn tight they're getting the lugs. I've seen them twist them off also and they're very difficult to get loose again which is a pain when you're out in the middle of nowhere with a flat and all you have is the stupid little wrench which doubles as a jackhandle.

I watch them like a hawk and make them use a torque wrench. If they don't have one I go home and re-torque them ASAP and I don't buy tires there again.

If you get a shudder when you stop it's a sure sign your rotors are warped. The lugs should be torqued to the proper spec and in the correct order, usually in a crossover pattern.

Edwin

 

So the way the NASCAR guys do it is wrong?

I always go out, put on my CREW CHIEF jacket, pull out that 700 Foot Pound impact wrench and get my bad self going on those lugs...

What are you supposed to torque them to?

 

Dually wheels torque spec is 140 ft/lb.

 

It is a good practice to lower your torque wrench to the lowest setting when you are done with it.

I cannot speak for MAC, Matco, but I do know that Central Tools makes the clicker type torque wrenches for Snap-On and Cornwell.

 

Central? As in the Harbor Freight straight-from-China Central Tools?
Same company, maybe... But you can't say that they are the same wrench. At least not after you torque a few dozen duallie wheels.

Snap-ON is an independent company, and I've never heard about Cornwell...
MAC is owned by Stanley, along with PROTO, Huskey and a handful of others...
Craftsmen was owned by Stanley, but then Stanley dropped SEARS and now Craftsmen are made by Dynaher. Kobolts are as well, if I am to recall correctly.

I think that there are only about 5 tool makers on the planet. And Ford probably owns them all.

 

Well when you only expect to go 500 miles on a set of rotors you don't need to worry. I would also guess that they don't use stock rotors and lug bolts/nuts. Also, those things probably glow cherry red so warping them is the least of their worries.

Edwin

 

I picked up a digitork last summer, set me back $90, but it still feels fine. I always torque my lugs with it, no weird noises yet. I will say that I will never buy an el-cheapo-auto-parts-store-special torque wrench again. I was torquing my air horn bolts one day and the stupid head of the torque wrench blew up on me and shocked the bolt and snapped it. Now, try finding an 8mm x120mm bolt around here. Not going to happen. That was reason enough to pay for something decent.