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Author Topic: Is it safe to to tighten wheel nuts without torque wrench?  (Read 10722 times)

Offline homesqueeze

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Is it safe to to tighten wheel nuts without torque wrench?
« on: July 23, 2012, 08:16:14 pm »
As above really.  I don't have a torque wrench so when I take my wheels off, is it safe enough to put them back on and just tighten them back up with the standard tool kit. It won't be for that long as i need new tyres fairly soon and when they get put on the fitter will put the nuts on at the correct stting. Is there any kind of danger with me not putting them on at the precise setting, or am I just being stupid?  :drool:
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Offline john87

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Re: Is it safe to to tighten wheel nuts without torque wrench?
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2012, 08:20:44 pm »
I've removed countless sets of wheels and never used a torque wrench, then the next time I remove them they're still tight!

Just make sure you tighten them evenly in the 'star' fashion, then give each one a final nip up (standing on the end of the wrench does the trick, perhaps not a good idea if you're >15 stone however!
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Offline jimk04

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Re: Is it safe to to tighten wheel nuts without torque wrench?
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2012, 08:24:36 pm »
As long as you have a feel for torque you should be fine...you would struggle to strip an M14 wheel bolt with the wrench in the boot so yeah go for it....the tighter the better!

I have been on the A1 in a mates mk2 who had done them up by hand not tight enough and its not a good thing when the wheels start to part company with the car!

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Offline Moz

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Re: Is it safe to to tighten wheel nuts without torque wrench?
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2012, 08:26:30 pm »
I've removed countless sets of wheels and never used a torque wrench, then the next time I remove them they're still tight!

Just make sure you tighten them evenly in the 'star' fashion, then give each one a final nip up (standing on the end of the wrench does the trick, perhaps not a good idea if you're >15 stone however!

I made this mistake once, I put the bar on and at an angle stood on them to get em nice and tight, being 21 stone wasn't a good idea.

Had to get a garage to use an air drill to get em off

Offline big al

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Re: Is it safe to to tighten wheel nuts without torque wrench?
« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2012, 08:51:58 pm »
Don't really think there is a need to stand on the wrench to get them on tight enough.
I have an extending wrench that I bought from Halfords for about £12,
Works fine at removing nuts that have been put on tightly with an air gun at the garages, and puts them back on plenty tight enough. Just pull as hard as you can, as said earlier, doing it in the star formation to tighten them all.

Offline bodger00

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Re: Is it safe to to tighten wheel nuts without torque wrench?
« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2012, 08:59:44 pm »
Guys what are you messing about at...... :laugh:......standing on them...... tight as you can......

Buy a torque wrench for £20 and be safe in the knowledge that you have torqued the studs correctly....

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cht141-1-2in-drive-torque-wrench

As someone has already pointed out having a wheel let go at 70 mph could kill you or others so sort it out guys...

Just my opinion. :P

Offline sub39h

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Re: Is it safe to to tighten wheel nuts without torque wrench?
« Reply #6 on: July 23, 2012, 09:05:23 pm »
Guys what are you messing about at...... :laugh:......standing on them...... tight as you can......

Buy a torque wrench for £20 and be safe in the knowledge that you have torqued the studs correctly....

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cht141-1-2in-drive-torque-wrench

As someone has already pointed out having a wheel let go at 70 mph could kill you or others so sort it out guys...

Just my opinion. :P

ironic considering your username :rolleye:
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Offline E30Dom

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Re: Is it safe to to tighten wheel nuts without torque wrench?
« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2012, 09:13:44 pm »
I just do mine up tight, in a star shaped pattern, then do the locker up last.
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Offline Tfsi_Mike

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Re: Is it safe to to tighten wheel nuts without torque wrench?
« Reply #8 on: July 23, 2012, 09:14:48 pm »
I just do mine up tight, in a star shaped pattern, then do the locker up last.

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Offline jedi-knight83

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Re: Is it safe to to tighten wheel nuts without torque wrench?
« Reply #9 on: July 23, 2012, 09:16:47 pm »
what is the correct torque again. I did mine to 88nm the other day.
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Offline Andy

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Re: Is it safe to to tighten wheel nuts without torque wrench?
« Reply #10 on: July 24, 2012, 01:11:43 am »
just tighten them F T if you haven't got a torque wrench

Offline homesqueeze

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Re: Is it safe to to tighten wheel nuts without torque wrench?
« Reply #11 on: July 24, 2012, 08:05:51 pm »
Thanks for the advice guys, that helps. I'll just make sure I do them up nice and tight!  :happy2:
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Offline stealthwolf

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Re: Is it safe to to tighten wheel nuts without torque wrench?
« Reply #12 on: July 24, 2012, 08:11:09 pm »
120Nm or 90ftlb for ED30 wheels.

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Offline jedi-knight83

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Re: Is it safe to to tighten wheel nuts without torque wrench?
« Reply #13 on: July 24, 2012, 08:46:38 pm »
120Nm or 90ftlb for ED30 wheels.

is it wheel dependant... for instance im on 19" BBS CH now
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