To Torque or Not to Torque

[MelGoddard]

It's actually not bad to use a breaker bar for torquing lug nuts WITH a digital torque adapter. Actually that way using a cheater pipe is no problem and it doesn't use as much space as a torque wrench and breaker bar.
https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-...ter-68283.html

I did look up that 'HarborFreight website, and :
TWENTY BUCKS for a half-inch drive torque wrench???? YOIKS!
In Canada, a good torque wrench can cost an average of $50-70, and at Canadian Tire, one can spend up to $140 for one.

[TheGreatleys]

Originally Posted by MelGoddard

I did look up that 'HarborFreight website, and :
TWENTY BUCKS for a half-inch drive torque wrench???? YOIKS!
In Canada, a good torque wrench can cost an average of $50-70, and at Canadian Tire, one can spend up to $140 for one.

A *good* torque wrench costs that much here, too...

[cwf]

Steel or aluminum wheels?

Our steel actually had worn lug nut seats.. replaced with aluminum..

After 50 miles stopped and checked. Checked again at 150. A couple caused the good quality, click torque wrench to proper torque.. ran to Big Bend .. several hundred miles, checked less often..a couple tightened...fewer each time. Once home, all lugs were at proper torque after 500 miles.

BTW, lug nuts wear out... if you can wiggle before tightening then buy a new one to see if there is a different feel.

Don't overlook poor wheel balance.

[Mollysdad]

I've driven for 50 years and never torqued a lug nut or had one fall off. Nor do I know anyone who has.
But I've just purchased a torque wrench from Harbor freight.
Because being OCD is the Airstream way.

However is there a standard size socket for the lug nuts on an Airstream? I'd like to keep a 1/2" drive socket handy.

[rmkrum]

As a long time owner of Japanese and Swedish cars, I have always torqued lug nuts. Overtorquing lug nuts was a good way to warp brake drums and rotors on those cars.. and a tire-buster that even went near my cars with a rattle wrench to put wheels on got told off right quick.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

I've driven for 50 years and never torqued a lug nut or had one fall off. Nor do I know anyone who has.
But I've just purchased a torque wrench from Harbor freight.
Because being OCD is the Airstream way.

However is there a standard size socket for the lug nuts on an Airstream? I'd like to keep a 1/2" drive socket handy.

^
+1



Old Fart=Old School

Personal priority....clean mating surfaces, clean & dry threads.
Frequent OTR checking.

Bob

[Countryboy59]

When I drove a tow truck the most frequent issue drivers had was wheels coming off after tire changes. I used a long cheater bar but not a torque wrench, never had an issue.

Shops that use impact wrenches sometimes enlarge the holes in steel rims enough that the lug nuts never seat. I always checked 'em before installing.

[DaveMc]

Saw a post on Airstream Addicts on Facebook yesterday where a guy's tire came off right at 50 miles after leaving the tire shop. Had a little bit of wheel well damage. Ouch. Thankful I don't have to sort that out. I check torque about 1000 miles or so, though haven't caught anything too out of line.

[MelGoddard]

Originally Posted by TheGreatleys

A *good* torque wrench costs that much here, too...

HMMM! Says a lot, doesn't it.

[VaTravelers]

I am a relative newbie. I have less than 1,000 miles towing on 3 trips. I torque my lug nuts and check my tire pressure as part of my departure checklist. It takes 5 mins and it's a little more peace of mind. We attended a recent rally and was surprised at how few fellow Airstreamers did not do this. Maybe a lot of experience shows it isn't required as often.

[VaTravelers]

Originally Posted by cwf

Steel or aluminum wheels?

Our steel actually had worn lug nut seats.. replaced with aluminum..

After 50 miles stopped and checked. Checked again at 150. A couple caused the good quality, click torque wrench to proper torque.. ran to Big Bend .. several hundred miles, checked less often..a couple tightened...fewer each time. Once home, all lugs were at proper torque after 500 miles.

BTW, lug nuts wear out... if you can wiggle before tightening then buy a new one to see if there is a different feel.

Don't overlook poor wheel balance.

That "wiggle" may be the chrome cover over the lug nut. I have a 2017 28' International and have replaced all my factory lug nuts with solid ones.