I need a lug wrench

[Legal Eagles]

Thanks for the suggestion. HF is opening a new store across the avenue from me, I'll poke around when the store opens. Never been inside one of their stores.

Oh you poor (literally) poor man... HF is like Hobby Lobby for guys... who knew I need a mechanic's stethoscope, and movers' blankets, and magnifying headlamps... granted the quality is not top of the market, but the prices are low and I always find something I "need"...

 

[Hall]

Yes, another vote for a Harbor Freight breaker bar. $13-20 for a 25", 1/2 bar - https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/sockets-ratchets.html?category=1907,3357. They also sell individual sockets for $4. They are their impact-rated ones - use them without hesitation.

 

[FordMan59]

I've got 2 or 3 four way lug wrenches I think all of them were bought at Walmart years ago. I too like the idea of a 4 way better than a breaker bar and socket. I know I have at least 2 different lengths. I'm guessing the smaller one is approximately 18" and the larger approximately 24". The torque specs for my lug nuts as I remember is about 85 ft. lbs so it doesn't take anything extremely large to remove the nuts. I know I could torque more than 85 ft. lbs with either of them. Here's one that's available in two sizes 16" and 20", both under $20. https://www.walmart.com/ip/HyperTough-Automotive-20-inch-Lug-Wrench-Model-6223/876881

 

[JC1]

+2 on the breaker bar with a deep socket for your lug sizes.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I have in each of my vehicles a 1/2" Harbor Freight 25" breaker bar, a short extension [if needed] and a socket that fits my lug nuts. For $10$-15 on sale the HF breaker bar is tough to beat.

@Shel_B this is the way to go. I have a 4 bar that I will never use. I will send it to you if you wish. Just PM me. Heck, I might even send you 2 or 3...

I believe HF has a lug nut kit with sockets and a short extension. Match this with their long breaker bar, as @demarpaint says.

 

[ecotourist]

I'm very conscious of excess weight in my vehicle, so I always retract the length back to 18 inch before storing.

What. It weighs less when it's retracted?

I'm all for using a crossed wrench. Yes you could break off an over-tightened stud, but any wrench that could get that nut off would do the same thing.

I like the idea of being able to push and pull on the same wrench. I've never had a nut refuse to come off when using one (and never broken a stud either - so far - knock on wood). And I like being able to spin nuts on and off. It saves time - which could save your butt some time if you ever have to change a wheel at the roadside.

 

[Shel_B]

If its for the Camry, what's wrong with the one that came with the car? Those cross lug wrenches take up too much space, and if you only use them once a year, why bother?

Cant seem to give them away. https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/tls/d/potomac-large-and-small-tire-iron-lug/7455496989.html

It's no longer with the car.

 

[AZjeff]

Maybe the breaker bar and socket and while you're at HF grab a 1/2" to 1/4" hex socket adapter to spin the nuts off with your drill. Rotating tires would get tedious having to take the nuts off and thread them back on by hand. Heck get 3 sizes for $4.99!

https://www.harborfreight.com/hex-shank-socket-driver-set-3-pc-68513.html

 

[UG_Passat]

If its for the Camry, what's wrong with the one that came with the car? Those cross lug wrenches take up too much space, and if you only use them once a year, why bother?

Cant seem to give them away. https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/tls/d/potomac-large-and-small-tire-iron-lug/7455496989.html

If the last grease monkey touched the lug nuts, they may have just impact wrench the crap out of them, so the factory lug wrench may not have enough torque arm to loosen the nuts.

 

[meep]

I have a four-way and it lives in the truck bed. It’s nice to spin things off and on, but it stores poorly. i totally forgot I owned it, because the breaker bar is simply more elegant to use. Get a feel for it and you have better control for loosening and tightening, and if you’re dealing with something stupid-tight, the breaker bar wins while the 4-way is just waiting to rip up your shins or ankle.