I don't recall ever buying one, but now it's needed. I know I want one that's built in a cross shape, and I don't want junk. What's a good brand, or what kind of construction or build quality should I be looking for? What should the length of the arms be for good leverage? Can I get a decent wrench for about $20.00? Thanks!
I need a lug wrench
- Thread starter Shel_B
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1/2" breaker bar and socket
X2 go to Lowes,HD etc and buy a breaker bar and the socket you need.
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
I have this. Works good.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087BLJ7DJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087BLJ7DJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Here is one from Ken Tool. Made in the USA
AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
I have one that I've used once. Worked okay but you can't spin the lugnuts off like a traditional lug wrench.
OP is this to carry in the car or stay in the garage? I've had a cross for years, just measured and it's 22" end to end and no idea the brand. NAPA maybe? Good leverage and it has enough inertia to spin the nuts off with one spin. It might hit the ground spinning off the lowest lug nut on car size wheels/tires, you might want to take a measurement. Don't over think it. If it's for the mighty Camry anything 16" or longer will likely be fine it it will spin freely. It looks like on Amazon a $20 one is high end. HF has a 20" for $11.49
Look for something old, used, cheap, garage sale
I agree with you, go for the cross shape and forget a breaker bar. It's nice to spin off those lug nuts quickly with it. Get the largest one you can find that has the sizes you need. I don't think you need to so particular with brands, I have one in each trunk and never messed one up yet. If you are concerned, stay away from the chrome ones. Any tool that is chrome isn't top quality.
I have a cheapie cross from walmart. It folds which is nice, but last time I looked one of the screws did back out, so it might be time for another one.
Can get a lot of leverage on a cross / 4 way, foot down on the left side, pull up at the same time on right.
Can get a lot of leverage on a cross / 4 way, foot down on the left side, pull up at the same time on right.
I'm absolutely sure that I don't want that type of wrench. I hadn't thought about a breaker bar, but now I am considering it, along with the cross-style wrench. Thanks for the suggestions.
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.
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.
I don’t care for the 4 way lug wrenches myself. I’ve seen too many guys bust lugs using them. Many will pull and push at the same time on lugs that have already been impacted on several times over the years. Ever see a vehicle with missing lug nuts?
I've used big and small "crosses", socket with bar, electric impact gun.
Important to me is fit of the socket, not speed or the entertaining 'spin' as I'm not a pro.
Test fit whatever you're looking at....goes double for HF tools.
IRONY: Old cross wrench from the farm reached for for over 60 years. Expected to fit every inch and metric sized lug found today...yeah, right.
Important to me is fit of the socket, not speed or the entertaining 'spin' as I'm not a pro.
Test fit whatever you're looking at....goes double for HF tools.
IRONY: Old cross wrench from the farm reached for for over 60 years. Expected to fit every inch and metric sized lug found today...yeah, right.
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
This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
It's not only tough to beat, it has the capability to snap off most ANY wheel stud on ANY car or light truck ever made. Simply put, you're not going to spend more money, and get anything more capable of doing the job.
Those big cross wrenches are clumsy, take up too much room because of their shape, and offer no advantage to a nice long breaker bar.
I bought this extendable Breaker Bar from Home Depot.
Made very well.
Extends from 18 - 24 inch.
I'm very conscious of excess weight in my vehicle, so I always retract the length back to 18 inch before storing.
Also get yourself a six-pointed socket.
Note: Next time you remove the lug nuts, one drop of oil will prevent rusting.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1...Extendable-Breaker-Bar-H12EXTBB1824/311856673
Made very well.
Extends from 18 - 24 inch.
I'm very conscious of excess weight in my vehicle, so I always retract the length back to 18 inch before storing.
Also get yourself a six-pointed socket.
Note: Next time you remove the lug nuts, one drop of oil will prevent rusting.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1...Extendable-Breaker-Bar-H12EXTBB1824/311856673
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AZjeff
$50 Site Donor 2023
That's nice but he'll have $40 in that and a socket, 2X his hoped for pricepoint.
Nevermind, OP is considering a cross wrench and a breaker bar. Come on Harbor Freight!
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