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View Full Version : Torque wrench - A MUST have???


firstmazda
11-14-2004, 07:20 PM
Hey guys, I just wanted to know if it is a MUST to have a torque wrench if we switch our own tires.

I usually tighten the lugs (star pattern of course) while the car is raised,
then tighten as much as I can after it is lowered.
Is this good enough? Or can it also be the opposite ie. over tighten the lugs??

Thanks
Ray
MajesticBlueNTO
11-14-2004, 07:27 PM
Originally posted by firstmazda


Hey guys, I just wanted to know if it is a MUST to have a torque wrench if we switch our own tires.

I usually tighten the lugs (star pattern of course) while the car is raised,
then tighten as much as I can after it is lowered.
Is this good enough? Or can it also be the opposite ie. over tighten the lugs??

Thanks
Ray


it\'s not a must, but it does offer peace of mind to have the lugs tightened within the correct torque range.

and, yes, you can overtighten the lugs when tightening without a torque wrench.

CT has a cheap \"bendy\" type torque wrench for $25 which, if all you\'re going to use it for is tightening lugs, is more than adequate.
Abstraction
12-01-2004, 01:04 AM
princess auto has a 1/2\" drive torque wrench, that from the pictures looks pretty decent for the odd jobs.. . up to 150lbs torque and its only like $30 or something ridiculously cheap. for that price, yo ucan\'t go wrong.
PlatMS6
12-01-2004, 01:30 AM
what is the correct torquing for our wheels anyways? 80?
mazda3ride
12-01-2004, 12:29 PM
I was told 85-90.
MajesticBlueNTO
12-01-2004, 02:34 PM
Originally posted by 2004mz3


what is the correct torquing for our wheels anyways? 80?

page 228 of the Owner\'s Manual PDF (http://www.trapzero.com/forums/2004_mazda3_om.pdf)

Nut tightening torque:
N·m (kgf·m, ft·lbf) 88—117 (9—11, 65—93)

gives a range of 65 to 93 ft-lbs

80 or 85 is a safe bet.
bluntman
12-01-2004, 02:50 PM
It\'s good for any Road Rage events too!
MajesticBlueNTO
12-01-2004, 02:57 PM
Originally posted by bluntman


It\'s good for any Road Rage events too!

calm down Torretto :p
Mayhem
01-11-2005, 12:03 AM
It\'s really not that necessary.......you\'d have to REALLY tighten the bolts to strip the threads. In the 5 years I owned my previous car, I never used a torque wrench and I never had any wheels fall off on me. My Dad has changed tires on his cars going back almost 40 years now and he\'s never used a torque wrench and never had tires falling off. If it makes you feel better, get one, but it\'s not really necessary in my opinion.