Lug Nut Wrench Recommendation

JP2558

Can anyone recommend a decent lug nut wrench for a T@B 320-CS with 14 inch tires? Thanks!

N7SHG_Ham

I bought a Powerbuilt Billy Club Lug Wrench

dragonsdofly

@JP2558, we use a folding 4 way, with various sizes, so another of the 4 way sizes fits the tv. DH believes the correct socket size is 3/4 of an inch for the t@b.

4ncar

3/4 socket & a breaker bar. All part of my on board tool ket.

Bayliss

I use the Dorman 711-900 AutoGrade Lug Wrench (previously recommended by @Verna).  It includes:  17mm, 3/4” (19mm), 13/16” and 7/8” deep well sockets (two sockets with different size on each end.)  The handle is 16” long and each socket is 3” long.  Includes a carrying case.  Has worked well for me.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SEXO3E/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

tabiphile

4ncar said:

3/4 socket & a breaker bar. All part of my on board tool ket.

And a torque wrench! I would not put lug nuts on anything without one. Lug nuts must be properly torqued and rechecked after a hundred miles or so. 

GatorEgg

I use standard 4 way lug wrench, 3/4 end for T@b lugs, picked up at Walmart for $11.  I gives me better grip.  I don’t like folding ones because they seem to break when I’m depending on them.

JP2558

Thanks everyone for the input. We truly appreciate it!

Next question: Torque wrench recommendations?

Bayliss

@JP2558, I purchased this one.......really well made and works great.  Just used it this morning.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C5ZL1NS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

JP2558

Thanks Bayliss - what is the recommended torque for a 320-CS with 14 inch tires?

4ncar

tabiphile said:

4ncar said:

3/4 socket & a breaker bar. All part of my on board tool ket.

And a torque wrench! I would not put lug nuts on anything without one. Lug nuts must be properly torqued and rechecked after a hundred miles or so. 

I have never in my life used a torque wrench on lug nuts. This includes my cars, trucks, trailers, off-road vehicles and my race cars. Never had a wheel come off yet, and don’t expect. Edit: at home I have air impact to put lugnuts on. On the road, breaker bar is plenty, until I get home.

Bayliss

@JP2558, I do not know what the recommend torque is for the 14" wheels, but it is 95 lbs for the 15" boondock wheel.  I completely agree with @tabiphile.  You DO want to check the torque, especially after removing the wheels (e.g., tire rotation, bearings re-greased, tire change, etc.)  When the tires are rotated/changed, even if torqued by the shop that rotated/changed your tires, check the torque again after about 10-25 miles, and again around 100 miles to be sure they are properly torqued.  While on a trip, I re-check the torque occasionally.

Verna

JP2558 said:

Thanks everyone for the input. We truly appreciate it!

Next question: Torque wrench recommendations?

The factory torque wrench recommendation is 90 lbs for a non-Boondock/Outback model. 

dragonsdofly

@Verna, thanks! Was kinda wondering just for my personal knowledge. 

GatorEgg

4ncar said:

tabiphile said:

4ncar said:

3/4 socket & a breaker bar. All part of my on board tool ket.

And a torque wrench! I would not put lug nuts on anything without one. Lug nuts must be properly torqued and rechecked after a hundred miles or so. 

I have never in my life used a torque wrench on lug nuts. This includes my cars, trucks, trailers, off-road vehicles and my race cars. Never had a wheel come off yet, and don’t expect. Edit: at home I have air impact to put lugnuts on. On the road, breaker bar is plenty, until I get home.

Torque Wrench??  Same here.  Never used one, have similiar "resume" as yours.  When I was having truck tires rotated at tire shop(I have lifetime rotate balance), I mentioned this and the techs laughed.

tabiphile

They laughed because they know your rotors will warp and that you'll be back for a brake job...
Seriously, any advice not to torque based upon anecdotal experience should be ignored. Any good professional and or shop is either hand tightening with a torque wrench or using torque sticks with impact. Stay away from any shop that does otherwise. 
Here are a few links that relate:
https://www.brakepartsinc.com/dam/jcr:e3d06f2b-a4c2-4cf5-b976-822b9133e3e5/Torquing%20Lug%20Nuts.pdf
https://info.kaltire.com/why-re-torque-the-importance-of-retorquing/
https://www.bauerbuilt.com/About/Blog/articleid/74/retorquing-lug-nuts-after-you%E2%80%99ve-had-your-tires-replaced-or-removed-is-crucial

Hmmmph...I've never drowned but I learned how to swim.

4ncar

@tabiphile rotor warping will occur with Over torquing the lug nuts. 90 ft/lbs is easy to achieve, if you torque to 100 or 110 no harm no foul. 150 ok, but believe unless your hulk hogan you won’t be putting 150 ft/lbs of torque while your on the side of the road. If you don’t know how to use your tools for a road side emergency, then call AAA.