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Check Your Lug Nuts/Wrenches! (Newbies READ)

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8.4K views 24 replies 18 participants last post by  Repth  
#1 ·
Howdy Y'all!

I have received a lot on knowledge on this forum from only being here about a month or two, so I hope I can pass a little on as well. I know there are already a few threads on this, but I think it's important so I'm posting it again (especially for some Jeepers who may be newer or people like myself who simply just never thought about it).

Earlier today I tried to take off my spare tire (35" Nitto Trail Grappler on 17" XD Addict wheels) just to save some time before I installed my tire carrier this weekend. I pulled out my stock Jeep lug nut wrench, along with the provided lug nut key for my particular wheel, and started trying to take off the lug nuts. I tried hard and desperately for about 20 minutes, including slamming the tool with a hammer - they absolutely would not budge. Feeling defeated, I went down the street and asked a local auto shop if they could help me out and just loosen the lug nuts. Took them about 2 seconds to loosen them, and that short experience alone gave me a very important education on the subject.

The moral of the story is this: a long while ago I upgraded my tires and wheels because I wanted my Jeep to look cool and be even more trail capable, and through hours of driving/wheeling/etc, I have been fortunate enough to never have a flat tire issue. BUT, how many Jeepers upgrade their rig without ever thinking about the one day they might be driving on a country road on a rainy evening, accidentally hit some big piece of steel on the side of the road, need to change their spare, and only then realize they don't have the means to do so? Not a great situation to be in. I'm sure many Jeepers (probably more educated than I am) are aware of this, but for those of you who are a little newer or simply haven't thought about it, take a moment to go check out your Jeep a little bit and make sure you're prepared in the event an issue does arise (as well as making sure you have the key/adapter if your wheel has locking lugnuts). As I said, I was fortunate I discovered this playing around in the driveway, but finding this out while driving somewhere all by myself could easily turn into a less than ideal scenario.

I have done a little digging and I have seen a general consensus on the Gorilla automotive tools. Specifically for this topic, I have heard the Gorilla Lug Wrenches work well: Gorilla Automotive Products - Lug Nuts, Wheel Locks, Auto Security, Wheel Accessories . I can't speak from experience, but I will likely be buying these soon or something very similar.

Anyways, I hope this helps at least one person. I had never even thought about this and just realized today how much of a hassle it could be to not be prepared. So do yourself a favor: locate your key/adapter, get a bigger wrench than the stock one, and take your spare off and put it back on just to prove to yourself you know it works. And then throw the top off and take a quick spin just to remind yourself why your Jeep rules.

Happy Jeeping and see you on the trails! :punk:
 
#2 ·
The manual says to torque them to 100 ft/lbs. Sounds like the person who put your wheels on before really cranked them down. I hope the guy down the street didn't do the same thing to you. You should check them and if they are too tight, go back and make him torque them properly. You can buy an inexpensive torque wrench for about $30.
 
#4 ·
The guy down the street just loosened them for me, but every time I get my oil changed I go to a Jeep/Mopar dealer and also have them rotate the tires, so in theory they should know what they are doing, but perhaps not.

My main goal in this wasn't to tell people to become mechanics, but rather just make people aware they should have a proper tool in the event they do need to change their tire out. For the guy who doesn't have a ton of time or interest to do their own tire rotations (like myself) I rely on a professional mechanic, but perhaps from now on I will specify with them a specific torque setting instead of just saying "please rotate the tires."
 
#9 ·
I had the EXACT SAME issue, but when I had a flat! I have since purchased a 24V impact wrench.. So, X2 - If you have not checked to make sure you can get your tires off your purty new Jeep yet, do it NOW! Make sure you have the proper tools, lug-keys, jack, etc.. Perfect 20 minute weekend project.
OP makes a great point and I second this idea... I carry an 18V Rigid impact with the correct socket. It takes the tires off, the spare off and also is the same size as the mounting bolts for my hi-lift. FYI, I carry a manual breaker bar just in case.

P.S. ALWAYS make sure you have whatever magic socket is needed to remove your locking/security lug nut too!
 
#6 ·
Good PSA. My tire shop had my lugs wrenched on well beyond 100ft. lbs. I thought for sure something was going to break before the lugs gave - be it the socket, the stud, the wrench, or me.

I would not have wanted to deal with that, especially if something broke, on the side of the road.
 
#22 ·
I broke two sockets trying to get wheels off once. Walked in to the dealership next day with a fistful of marred lug nuts and the two sockets. Asked she service manage what in the hell happened and he turned white as a ghost and came right back with a set of new lug nuts. Had to use a cheater bar to get every single one off. Torque wrench was clicking at 250 ft-lbs.
 
#13 ·
Good advise. That's why I do my own rotations every 5000 miles on all vehicles and have a nice torque wrench for the job.
No one takes care of your stuff as good as you do.For an anecdotal story, I live around the corner from a quick lube shop. We like to play lets see how far they went by following the oil trail when one of the monkeys forgets to snug a filter or plug down. Lots of oil trails. Not me man. They are great for taking my used oil and filters but I will do my own thanks.
 
owns 2013 Jeep Wrangler J/K
#14 ·
If you change the lug nuts when you get new wheels, a lot of times the factory lug wrench will not fit anymore.

Also: if you have bigger than stock tires, likely the jack will not lift high enough, especially off the pavement. Carry a 4x4 block to use as a jack base.
 
#15 ·
:atomic:I hate when care-free or care-LESS individuals at dealerships & repair shops just grab their impact gun & torque your lug nuts down to "whatever pressure" the shops air compessor is set at? Not only is "over-torquing" bad on your wheels, lugnuts, and wheel studs? .................... But I don't have a friggen air gun when I'm stuck on the side of the road, to help me get off the friggen nuts that they hammered on there with 150 ft lbs of torque!!!

Code Red
 
#16 ·
Years ago, my Eagle Talon had over tightened lug nuts, my buddy that's a dealer tech and his coworker spent almost an hour loosening the wheel enough to get a torch behind the wheel to cut the studs out, install new studs, lug nuts, and inspect other parts to ensure no heat damage.

FFWD, another buddy that's a veteran tech at a local dealer, recently told me a story about a "helper/porter" that assumed because his fancy new Snap On cordless impact had X torque rating, that the customer's wheels were "on tight enough" (note he didn't say "properly torqued"). Customer picks up car, and X amount of minutes walks back to the dealer to inform them the wheel just fell off while driving. She was only a couple miles from the interstate entrance :jawdrop:
Of course my friend's rub with this new dealer model is, they're charging the customer the same hourly rate, to pay person that is not an ASE certified tech, less money to perform the work, and the dealer is lining their pockets with the difference.


I'm not sure why I have to, but I always warn the shop I will be checking lug torque and I do. I also ask that all work performed on my vehicle is done so by an ASE certified tech. Try these and see what reaction you get, before you leave your vehicle.
 
#19 ·
#21 ·
ug between the lug nuts and oil pan drain plug being over tightened. That is why I have a big impact electric impact wrench to get off those nuts/bolts that will not budge:

Electric Impact Wrench - 1/2"