3JsVette

Always but everything I drive has aluminum wheels.

billcarson

i don't torque anything any more since the p o s fell apart.

20mercury

yes always.

plus star pattern & 1/3, 1/3, and final.

and particularly after a shop does a rotate & balance & align. sometimes bubba over impacts the lug nuts! i usually discover this in the parking lot with a flat.

some of us are more **** i suppose

Mick71

Yes, always. I don't know how true this is, but I've heard that uneven tightening is why the latest cheapo overseas rotors warp so quickly.

drwet

The best mechanics I know always use a torque wrench on lug nuts. I think it shows a level of care they take to whatever they do. So, yes I do it always too.

Learning_Curve

Every mechanic I worked with just ran them on with an impact, or used a torque stick.


They're great when you're mounting a lot of wheels. Just mount them to the impact gun, and when the specified torque is reached they flex instead of continuing to tighten the fastener.

Dustup7T2

Throw me in the crowd that uses one. I bought the dang thing and it's an excuse to use it... plus it's fun to show my grandkids that until they learn how to not put the Big Arm on stuff, they can show their friends what a torque wrench is.

Doing my part to educate the next gen of wrench spinners.

CA-Legal-Vette

If I'm in a hurry, I use these

Otherwise, I use a torque wrench.

oldC3guy

Well, there you go. Some yes and some no. Truly democratic reply. I guess my belief is that if a torque spec is listed there must be a reason. I always use my torque wrench.

Teem66

I always use one. People often forget that the most important use of a torque wrench is getting equal clamping force from all the bolts holding parts together. It is actually more important than the actual torques setting (as long as the minimum torques setting is reached). That's why you might have a range of torque (i.e. 50 to 60 ft lbs) but you will never have variety of tightening sequences.

billcarson

learning_curve very nice and in a holiday gift assortment box.might have to ask around a bit if the large one comes missing.

1974ta

Always use one.

Bill

racerbug

Use one on every car in the house.

Yeller81USNRet

I always use a Torque wrench after having a rear wheel drivers side fall off on my 81. I was very lucky as it fell off just after a quick run down the high way at 70 to 75 MPH. This was after some work done at a shop. I always check them now and often LOL. Guess I am Paranoid now

stpman

Always

Easy Mike

Never.

stpman

I watch a buddy of mine drive a lug nut through a steel wheel with an electric impact, since then I used a torque wrench. Like others above I have more than 1

dtamustang

not very often

4SPDL81

Yes, always ('81 steel is 80 ft.lb. and '81 aluminum wheel is 90ft. lb. per owner's manual)....

leadfoot4