Overtightened lug nuts

[@wolfalb]

A torque wrench is a must have tool

[@MrSupernova111]

For the longest time I never used a torque wrench and tightened everything by feel. I've gotten away from that and I wonder if my lug nuts have any type of damage and if I should replace them all just to be safe.

[@milfordcivic6755]

Problems like this are caused by "technicians" who take zero pride in their work - they want to get it in and out as fast as possible. I had 2 tires replaced at a dealership in my area under warranty. Not only did they crossthread all the lugs on 2 wheels, they left 1 lug crossthreaded and not tightened down, ruined a set of wheel locks AND didn't bother to remove the adhesive from the old weights on the inside of the rim, just stuck the new weights next to the 6" strip. Needless to say, I was very angry - and I made sure everyone in the waiting room heard me. I've never seen service advisors move so quick to get me into a loaner and out of the building. After picking up my car the next day, I carefully checked over EVERYTHING before I left and told them I would never be back there for any kind of sales or service.

[@ValFolarin]

what was the name of this place

[@H.pylori]

Very informative video. I learned a lot. As a result, I think the mechanics way over tightened the lug nuts when I recently purchased 4 new tires. I am going back to the shop and have them redo the lug nuts using the 87 lb-ft recommended by the manufacturer.

[@Mustangman169]

and its not over tightening. its a 2 piece lug nut that is damanged every time it is removed and installed. there's a reason tool companys make a 19.5 21.5 and 22.5 sockets.

[@jackslater230011]

I hate mechanics. This shit happened to me about 10 years ago. This exactly why I learned how to work on my own cars.

[@CrowdPleeza]

I was curious about how you determine if you have the nuts tight enough when using an impact wrench. I came across this info. "Not meant for tightening purposes: Impact wrench helps speed up the process of loosening or removing the nuts/ bolts, whereas a torque wrench is meant for tightening the fixings. Most people are not aware of this fact." Source: 8 Common Mistakes When Using An Impact Wrench

[@dylanhughes5944]

to speed up removing lug nuts just use an electric drill with an adapter... you don't need the torque once the lug nut is loosened... lol

[@h8GW]

@Dylan Hughes I just use my monster Ridgid Octane impact wrench for off, and my impact driver for on.

[@berettaman91gtz]

those lug nuts don't have a aluminum casing around them, the casing is actually stainless steel.

[@404notfound.....]

Use an ABM twisty emergency lugnut removal socket and a wrench with minimal 600' pounds of breakaway torque. Next!! 😎

[@omnipotent87]

This is a Chrysler product and they have poorly made lug nuts. Corrosion builds up under the cap making it nearly impossible to remove them. To add to the problem the metals used in the wheel and lugs bind to them selves. This means even if they were torqued properly they will require much more torque the loosen them than was used to tighten them especially so if they have been on for a loge period. I have burned off many lug nuts due to corrosion.

[@robcanaryondrums]

Very helpful. Thank you for your efforts to educate all those overly ambitious mechanics out there. At least use common sense to set their air impacts under the required torque and follow up by hand with a torque bar. That's how it's done at my local garage.

[@h8GW]

Exactly. With modern adjustable cordless impact wrench it's level 3 for off and level 1 for on. .....Then again I own a monster impact wrench that I've discovered can tighten past 100 ft-lb on its lowest setting, so I use an impact driver with adapter for putting nuts on now.

[@MarianneMartin-hy7ls]

I am dealing with a similar experience. I just took my 2010 Honda element to a Honda dealership in Clearwater Florida where I asked him to road force balance, my tires and hopes of finding out which brand Michelin tire was bad unfortunately I got no report of a bad tire but on the way home the vibration was worse and my steering wheel was pulling to the right upon arriving home. Found the tire pressure to be 36 psi on the driver side and 37 psi on the passenger side, front and back and then attempted to check the torque of the lug nuts, but was unable to loosen the Lugnuts where the half-inch breaker bar on the passenger side so I decided to take it back to the dealership. I demonstrated a Torque wrench setting all the way up to 120 foot pounds that when I checked the torque It simply clicked meaning that The torque was surpassing 120 foot pounds this is not why I take my to a Honda dealership. The only comment made by the head mechanic was, what do you want me to do about it? Seriously? Apologize to start with fire the mechanic they worked on my car and replace every thing until the vibration is gone in my Element. How I cannot even get the dealership manager for the service department to even return my call. This I am at the alignment guy in Gainesville Florida right now; Best in the business of alignments , confirming my alignment is Spot on. Then I will call Honda of North America and file complaint to have my studs Lug nuts, bearings, rotors, and pads, or whatever is necessary to remove the vibration in my front and steering wheel. Oh yeah and get my money back for a job not completed

[@jimbola77]

this happened to my mother and I had to perform the same process make sure they use the correct torque stick! 80, 90, lb's etc... thank you for sharing there partner and God Bless.

[@h8GW]

Cheapie "All Weather Tires" in Huntington cost me $50 in lug bolts. I only realized the bolt caps were destroyed when my mom needed help with a flat. Made sure the replacement bolts were one solid piece of metal, at least. My dad makes bad decisions on which businesses to work with.

[@shellysdopevids6988]

You could replace all the lug nuts for solid steel nuts without the aluminum casing

[@zachowns1023]

Ugh just had this happen when I had new suspension put on 😢

[@mickstermouseter7059]

I watched the tire changer (not a mechanic) remount my tires and wheels and he over torqued them another 1/4 turn after the torque wrench clicked. He also had the tires touching the ground when he tightened the nuts, which left 1 nut loose. He tightened the nuts in a circular pattern, not the recommended star pattern. The result was severe tire vibration due to bent rims. These were steel rims. The reason I know they were bent, which will not show up when balancing the tires, is because I replaced the rims and the vibration went away. It was the most expensive tires I have ever purchased.

[@arthurgarcia4389]

I install tire at my work several times a day six days a week, "Tire Technician". I know how to tighten tires properly so I don't fall under the category of the idiot who fucked up the lugs and threads on a car. I'm the only one not too lazy at my work to make sure wheels are mounted correctly. I take pride in my work and care for the safety of the vehicles owner and the vehicle itself. I've never herd of rim being bent because it was tightened in a circular pattern. I've seen coworkers tighten tires in that way and every now and then I can see that the tire didn't sit properly so I'll loosen each nut and tighten them correctly. driving the lugs in a star pattern then lowering the car and torque the lugs at the vehicles specifications. Bent wheels are noticeable while balancing the tires. You can see it out of round as it's rotating being calibrated. Also bent wheels usually ask for alot of weight or will keep asking for more weight until they are finally zero'd out. I get that a tire could be bent because it wasn't tightened right so it didn't sit properly causing the vibration. but if that's the case I imagine anyone with that problem would of had it fixed minutes after driving away from the shop. maybe the rim was already bent or could of also been that the wheels weren't balanced right. that would cause vibration also. the balancer machine could of been off in calibration or the guy who did it might of chosen the incorrect wheel weight location to how he had the wheel weights installed. The machine may of been set on Aluminum and he put them on as Dynamic. either way sucks they fucked up your wheels and they didn't pay for the damage

[@davidblankenship2686]

Do you use a torque wrench and if I ask what kind

[@mickstermouseter7059]

The rims were not already bent. I have been wrenching on vehicles for 50 years. I watched the moron over torque the lug nuts. They ended up buying 2 new rims (wheels) to replace the ones they ruined. It was a bad day for all involved.

[@TheSupermonkeymaster]

Dude, you have a Ram 1500 the wheel torque is 135 foot pounds. Over time that would break down any 2 piece lug nut it would be stupid to blame a mechanic. Most of us use torque sticks. That piece of shit impact wouldn't remove hand tight lugs. I hate it when some wannabe handy man tries to tell me how to do my job.

[@CIPStudios]

I have a RAM 1500, and my lugs were way over tightened. 135 FP can be taken off fairly easy with just a little force with a breaker bar. Mine were so tight I had to use my 240lb to step on the bar. There is no reason to over tighten them the way they do. Plus the stainless coated lug swell up and make it a bitch to even get a socket on without hammering them on.

[@davidblankenship2686]

What kind of work do you do lol

[@h8GW]

Well, just by knowing torque spec, you're not the kind of "mechanic" he's targeting. We're talking about guys who ugga dugga until the socket stops turning.

[@christheother9088]

On my toyota truck I would break studs trying to get the things off. Broke two studs on one wheel.

[@weshenrard3411]

Thank you for posting this. Very informative.

[@maveri17]

Thank you for the video.

[@slyztercoreveanged3175]

to tell you the truth is every unofficial manufacturer or aftermarket workshop i go they actually never use torque wrench to fasten the tyre nut..and every workshop i go they always use impact wrench to fasten the nut...

[@MarzNet256]

This is why I taught myself auto mechanics and do most if the work myself. Also, being stuck on the side of the road makes you vulnerable to sickos.

[@MrSupernova111]

That's incredible! But my question is whether this also damaged your lugs (the actual bolt sticking out of the hub).

[@Rexxmejia]

For me yes it does most of the time

[@16wickedlovely]

Is it safe at all to just use a four way to tighten the lug nuts and not a torque stick or impact gun? Is it the torque gun that over tightens the lug nuts or can hand tightening it over tighten it as well?

[@h8GW]

You can overtighten by hand, too, but NEVER to the extent where you have to struggle this much to get it off. If I don't have a torque wrench handy, I just lightly step on the wrench a little less than a foot from the nut until it stops moving. I weigh 150lbs, so I figure it gets it in the ballpark without endangering the integrity of the bolt.

[@jarrheadja1522]

That why I do it myself you should be using a breaker bar instead of that cheap star

[@josevelasco3245]

interesting, i re-torqued both my cars this weekend and were definitely super tight...had to use a combo of breaker bar and elec impact wrench. The impact wrench is good up until 430 ft.lbs of torque but needed the breaker as well. I broke them all loose and i noticed one of the front ones was so tight that the car shifted a bit when they call came off...unreal. Anyway. used a torque wrench when putting back and its amazing how the wheel no longer likes to stick to the driver side when turning. I have to bring in to replace a tire on one car and will definitely be having this conversation with them before i hand the keys. I dont trust them so will re-torque again afterwards. Great video and advice!

[@jaredespinoza776]

I was looking for over tightened lugnuts on my skateboard but this works too

[@heretodaygone2morrowrving231]

Had this happen to my fifth wheel rv the lugs were torqued and the outer skin swelled up. Why on earth would they even sell such a lug. Now I need to buy solid stainless lugs .

[@christheother9088]

I have come to expect over-torqued lug nuts. I would snap studs off on my Toyota truck trying to get them off (after service). I have broken breaker bars and four ways trying to get the damn things off. It happens everywhere. I always insist that they use a torque wrench on the damn things. I will add... using a two foot length of pipe on a four way sometimes works for me.

[@jackslater230011]

Neither me or my dad could get mine off. I drove it until the tires wore out, then sold it.

[@Reedstar1220]

Had a jeep wrangler that had this issue. The lug nuts were so tight they bored new larger holes in the rim. 2 of the 5 lugs were pulling the rim over the attached lug nuts. Super scary considering the wife and kids ride in that vehicle. Let's just say daddy got the cops called on him when he went to confront the tire shop that day😅

[@nofaithjusthope]

Where those stock lug nuts or aftermarket crap? I would never have that type of lug nut on my car to begin with. Actually I've never seen lug nuts wrapped in aluminum or stainless steel they must be out there though you've proved that. I hope you have proper Steel lug nuts on there now. Good job getting them off though.

[@MegaTapdog]

I know this is old but several of my f-150’s have the wrapped type lug nuts.

[@tjmmcd1]

I searched and you're the only one I found who specifically addresses the problem of tire dealers OVER-tightening lug nuts. Until around the turn of 21st century EVERY guy could change a flat tire and many girls could, too. Brand new cars and trucks now come with a piece of junk, angled, lug nut wrench and on top of that, we have the over-torquing issue at tire dealerships.

[@pamelacc]

I weigh around 120lbs /55 kilos so this was a major problem for me, even jumping on the opener (L tool) does not budge the nuts, that I have to resort to carrying a 3 feet pipe around in my car just in case.

[@mikec1096]

over tightening lug nuts is bad, but the poor design of a 2 piece lug nut is worse

[@Ansonch819]

why would u use a chrome socket?

[@h8GW]

No Harbor Freight nearby to buy a set of $20 impact sockets with lifetime warranty. :P Actually it would've been more important to wear eye protection if you're struggling with an impact wrench, chrome or not.

[@thurm101]

Bought me a torque wrench from Harbor Freight 3/8 & 1/2. Also got a breaker bar 3/8 & 1/2. I always torque my lug nuts to specs. If somebody works on my car. I tell them. I also check it when I get home.

[@davidblankenship2686]

Me personally after I get my cat back fork the mechanic for a tire job or brake job before learning how to do it myself I would grab my breaker bar and torque wrench and and break lugs then torque them myself to the correct torque setting required by the owner manual of my car

[@MrSupernova111]

Very smart thing to do. I also learned that its a good idea to double check them after going for a drive to make sure they are still tight. I found out that some of my lug nuts came a little bit loose somehow so I'm going to replace all of them if I find out they lost their torque loose again.

[@2ndAmendProtector]

Good video...I learned something I never knew before. But how about just never using aluminum coated lugnuts....?

[@paultavres9830]

Alum nut?? Think they call it a lug wrench Try hammering a smaller socket usally does the job in less time Oh by the way never suppose to hammer on a screw driver handle unless it specifically is designed with a striking surface Its not a torque wrench its a impact gun And it will only have the max torque with proper size air line and air pressure May be your mechanic seen one of your videos and did it on purpose to you

[@357エディ]

who did that..all wheel...

[@PaulAndMuttley]

Good video. But you referred to the nut as a bolt, and the impact wrench as a torque wrench. I am an engineer and I tend to be critical about correct terminology. :)

[@davidblankenship2686]

He has access to tools that people don't lol

[@h8GW]

Calling a nut a bolt, I can forgive, and besides, a lot of cars use bolts instead of nuts and studs. Torque wrenches and impact wrenches are ENTIRELY different things that have different purposes, however.

[@Convexhull210]

Can you use a torque wrench after someone's impact wrench?

[@404notfound.....]

Yes!!

[@zkdr6278]

I may have done this due to listening to my idiot neighbor who claimed to have been a mechanic. He didn't use a torque wrench on the lug nuts, AND he put never seize on the lug nuts. I had to go get a torque wrench after realizing what he (well, what he told me to do) did and torqued them down to spec. But the anti seize affects torque, so now I can either keep it the way it is and hope, or go get my jack out again. But the car has no good jacking point on the back, besides the sides (used for jack stands) and the bottom of the shocks, which sounds dangerous to be compressing the shock like that

[@mediaguy4037]

I never use my impact gun to tighten lug nuts. I use a breaker bar to crack them loose then zip them off with the impact gun.

[@JohnM...]

Does a breaker bar work if they're TOO tight?

[@davidblankenship2686]

Yes that is the point of a breaker bar

[@Resist_JWO_1984]

Isn't the point of an impact gun so you don't have to use a breaker bar to remove nuts and bolts in the first place?🤔

[@mediaguy4037]

@@Resist_JWO_1984 it can strip the threads. So I play it safe

[@HoweDoYouDo1999]

Comes here for car tech guide info sees dog in the background goes crazy😂😂😂😂😂

[@brandonwetterman5142]

As a mechanic I will say I hate any lug nut thats not plain steel ,, the chrome or any covered lug nuts are all junk !

[@jessgarza6418]

Brandon Wetterman can i ask your professional opinion, if over torqued or under torqued lug nuts, how long can they last before they break?

[@SgtPnkks]

that kind of rounding suggests someone used an incorrect socket size...

[@LovenotHate130]

The tire shop over tightened my lugs I can’t get them off I told them and they still did this

[@strangeperson700]

Thanks dad!

[@jonathanvillalobos436]

Amazing 👏

[@mostlymoparih5682]

Aww nuts I mean bolts I mean lug bolts I mean lug nuts.

[@georgefitter7656]

Spray the nut/bolt with WD40, then use a 1/2" breaker bar with a 6 feet long 1" pipe. The nut won't stand a chance!

[@icemanxp300]

What I learned from this video. Don't use aluminum lug nuts!

[@jimbola77]

thank God Brother you did not hurt yourself that is so wrong they use them giant compressors with there powerful impacts!!! who knows @ what torque 600 700 800 lb's????

[@Mustangman169]

that crapsment gun only has 200 ft lbs....

[@tortpower1125]

The 4 way never works u need a socket and ratchet and a pole

[@davidblankenship2686]

Commonly knownn as a breaker bar

[@owlfeatherliving]

And when you tell the tire person not to tigten the lug nuts too tight...They look at you crazy.

[@davidblankenship2686]

Yeah because they no that you no what you are talking about so there check ain't as good as it was and less visit to the shop

[@brown029]

The real reason for the problem that those shitty lug nuts should never be used

[@brokeboyz8747]

Bruh please look at the mf camera

[@stangedude5646]

Milwaukee would have taken that lug off.

[@TheBikemaster94]

aluminum lug nuts ruined the wheel hub on my civic, I fixed it but it took a bit of work

[@pyramidhead138]

i never over tighten my lug nuts. the careless tire mechanics do THAT

[@--tsatsa--]

a lot of stupid boys trying to be mechanics are using an impact guns unknowing what mess they are doing. I am a true case of that happening to me once. They have over tightened lug nuts beyond human strength on a vehicle which has 13" wheels .WTF !?!?! Yeepp... this is what they did. And when the time came for me to change a tire it happens so that i couldnt undo any nut so i had to pay that same shop to get them loose for me (I was out of options and they where the only shop around at that point).

[@johnbedow]

I bought a set of four used tires for my silverado from a shop that I've done business with for years. The front left didn't balance out so I drove back and had them try to get it to at least stop shaking. I'm not too picky. It's a "used" tire after all. Apparently I pissed the little prick off by even suggesting he provide even a modest level workmanship. I go to change said tire before it blows out on account of how rapidly the shaking has increased in severity. What do you know- I've got a heavy duty four way and it twisted all of the way around without breaking the torque applied to the lug nut. It required a 1/2" breaker bar with an impact rated socket and a cheater pipe to get it loose. I double checked the back wheels nuts and was able to break them loose with my 4 way. I made a video of it to show the owner of the shop. I fully expect him to step off into someone's ass over this. Like the man in the video said your wife and kids could be stranded. This was an intentional act. As for the group of folks that disagree with the premise of this fellas video, read a book or something. Or maybe you yourself are guilty of overtorquing lug nuts . I could care less if he didn't get the terminology correct. Did you see the what it took to get them off "after" the outer portion of the nut had been removed? He's a big bastard too, not some little soy boy. Those crappy lugnuts are likely the only reason the stud didn't twist off during the installation in the first place. I say, great job with the video Sir.

[@jesseblackwell7867]

Dude took all the lugs off with the wheel still on the ground 😂

[@blacksharkknight4833]

👍🏽👍🏽

[@cluelessjoe4427]

very informative!

[@comodice905]

Horrendous