Is having a torque wrench for replacing tires on the road side needed ?

[vavavroom]

Until age 25 or so I only carried a cross lug wrench and never had a problem removing or putting on a wheel.

I have been keeping a dedicated torque wrench in the trunk. I don't trust tire shops because I have encountered several undertorqued and maimed wheel fasteners. I always losen and torque the wheel fasteners after getting my car back from the tire shop.

 

[JeffKeryk]

You can also stop at a tire shop and ask them to check torque. They do that around here; just tip 'em a fiver...

 

[CharBaby]

Until age 25 or so I only carried a cross lug wrench and never had a problem removing or putting on a wheel.

I have been keeping a dedicated torque wrench in the trunk. I don't trust tire shops because I have encountered several undertorqued and maimed wheel fasteners. I always losen and torque the wheel fasteners after getting my car back from the tire shop.

I bought a cheap $19 Pittsburgh torque wrench from Harbor Freight for $10 after the discount. It’s the clicker type and I keep it in the trunk with my tire plug kit & air compressor along with a few other emergency items/tools.

I too carry a 4-way lug wrench along with what I mentioned above. ^^^
Everything that I carry fits under the trunk or hatch floor.

 

[vavavroom]

You can also stop at a tire shop and ask them to check torque. They do that around here; just tip 'em a fiver...

A tire shop with a good reputation in Marin announces proudly on a sign above the counter "We hand-torque all fasteners."

My ears and eyes must have been deceiving me. I can hear impact wrenches and see them hammering in bolts and nuts like they are working on M1 battle tanks. After they distorted the heads on two out of four of my wheel bolts I had them order me new ones but didn't let them put them on. I haven't gone back there. I found a trustworthy tire guy at a local Wheel Works out of all places. I've had him do brakes on several cars in my family and he did a fine job every time. I always ask for this guy and he's often booked out for two weeks because of high demand. Word of quality work does get around.

 

[vavavroom]

I too carry a 4-way lug wrench along with what I mentioned above. ^^^
Everything that I carry fits under the trunk or hatch floor.

One advantage of my Mini not having a spare is that there's a cubby hole under the truck liner that accommodates tools, a battery jumper, a compressor, bear spray, and a first aid kit.

 

[Astro14]

Torque wrench? No.

But each of my cars has a breaker bar and socket that fits. So much easier than the factory wrench.

Particularly for wife and daughters.

 

[Chris142]

millions of tires get changed every day without a tq wrench

 

[RaymondP]

Good and tight by the roadside. Then use the torque wrench back home unless on an extended trip. NEVER trust a tire shop or garage. Over/under torque or over/under inflate. Failed to replace tire wrench and more, too.

Yes, disappointing history when for paying for services.

 

[nomas]

Am I the only one who has never used a torque wrench on tires and has no plans to?

No , sir . I have never used a torque wrench on my vehicles . Haven't lost a wheel or broken a stud in 50 years .

 

[SC Maintenance]

I also carry a breaker bar in all my vehicles like @Astro14

I do have to wonder however if the short lug wrench provided is at least in part so you can't over tighten?

 

[Number_35]

I carry a torque wrench for highway trips. The van has lots of cubbies, so storage is not an issue.

 

[PF52]

I do have to wonder however if the short lug wrench provided is at least in part so you can't over tighten?

I was going to suggest the same thing. I doubt the average person could over-tighten a lugnut with a stock OEM lugwrench, at least not without jumping on it or standing on it. They probably would though if the manufacturer equipped the car with a long breaker bar, but since they don't, it's a non-issue.

 

[ripcord]

It's a personal thing. Only the voices in your head know for sure.

 

[wavinwayne]

I never have and never plan to. No matter though, my car doesn't have a spare tire..

 

[paulo57509]

I also carry a breaker bar in all my vehicles like @Astro14

I do have to wonder however if the short lug wrench provided is at least in part so you can't over tighten?

I heard this a long time ago, but I have no recollection if I was told or I read it someplace.

 

[svtrit]

Don’t tell anyone, but I rarely use a torque wrench on my cars. Never had a wheel fall off or even come loose. I use a breaker bar and a socket.

 

[ctechbob]

Torque wrench, no.

Collapsible 4 way, yes.

 

[Astro14]

I was going to suggest the same thing. I doubt the average person could over-tighten a lugnut with a stock OEM lugwrench, at least not without jumping on it or standing on it. They probably would though if the manufacturer equipped the car with a long breaker bar, but since they don't, it's a non-issue.

And yet shops overtighten them routinely.

A couple of extra Ugga Dugas’s on the impact on just to make sure that sucker is on good and tight.

So, what do you do as an owner when the shop has overtightened the heck out of the bolts, it’s a rainy night, and you’re on the side of the road with the factory wrench - that is, by your definition, short enough to prevent developing that much torque?

The breaker bar and socket in my cars isn’t there for the wheels that I properly torque, it’s there for the wheels that have been touched by a shop, and overtightened…

 

[CarlB]

Needed? No.
Do I have one? Yes.

 

[DriveHard]

Am I the only one who has never used a torque wrench on tires and has no plans to?

Nope...I never do either. Nobody will get the tire off without an impact or breaker bar, and my biggest struggle is not breaking studs...but I have never used a torque wrench on lug nuts...

Only concern would be on my bride's car where she might not be able to get the lugs off on the side of the road...I say might, because I'm guessing she can put more torque into the wrench than most members here.

Along comes the guy who tells me it will warp brake discs. PLEASE show me the free body diagram how this works. I don't believe it.