Mechanics overtightening wheel lug nuts with impact wrenches
Impact wrenches often over-torque wheel lug nuts far past proper specifications. This makes removing wheels nearly impossible during a flat tire and risks damaging the studs or warping the rotors.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1giving mechanics drinks or tips as a polite request to properly torque lugs
- 2doing maintenance oneself
- 3Tightening lug nuts as much as possible using a breaker bar or trunk wrench by feel.
- 4Checking lug nuts after driving for a little bit to ensure they are not loose.
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I'm guess he doesn't want someone to ham with the impact putting the lugs back on at 200ftlb.”source ↗
“I have never used a torque wrench on my lug nuts. I just tighten them as much as I can with an 18 inch breaker bar (or the lug nut wrench in the trunk if I get a flat tire) without straining too hard to do it.”source ↗
“Is this what most people do at home? Is this okay, or do I really need to get a torque wrench?”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
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- 2Is it safe to use a big jackhammer for DIY demolition without experience?
- 7Can you repair a screw in a tire sidewall?
- 4How to get off a stripped or over-tightened oil drain plug