What tools do you use?

Let me start this thread by saying that I hate my local dealership. Two weeks ago I went in for and oil change and decided since they had it on the rack that I would go ahead and let them rotate the tires as well. Today I was going to paint my rear rotors because they are rusting and look bad not to mention there is rust all over the lugs. I started to take of the lugs and have a small air gun on 120 psi and only got 2 of the 6 lugs off. When I went to get the other 4 off with a breaker bar the splind key broke on the first one and rounded off my lug. Also I noticed one of my lugs up front on the passenger side was missing so from now own I'm the only one working on this machine and I wanted to ask.

1. What is the best floor jack for working on a 3" lift since my floor jack is almost to short for my lift.
2. What are the best torque wrenches for the job since that seams to be the best way to do this job and not over tighten them like this gorilla with the pneumatic gun.

 

Sounds like they didnt use a torque stick with their guns. I have seen fellow mechanics tighten down without a torque stick and it over tighten the lugs.

 

Thanks, I knew chris would have the answer. Also i've heard that craftsman wasn't as good reciently as the have been in the past, any truth to that?

Also what amount of torque is needed?

 

I haven't heard anything on the Craftsmen doing that but as long as you get it as close to the recommended torque rating you should be fine. If it is off a few pounds of torque it's not a big deal, just as long as you don't over torque it. I think the recommended rating out of the manual was 110 foot pounds for the 6 lug, and the 5 lug could be different. Just double check the back of the manual to make sure I'm right on the torque rating and make sure you crisscross the pattern like a star. Also just make sure you don't go too low or too high, some guys go down to 80 foot pounds too. Just stay within 80-110 foot pounds.

 

Thanks guys, looks like my next mod is to update my gear. I'm a crasftsman guy with the few I have and the tool thing is like every other debate. You have people with brand loyalty that put down other brands so I'm not worried about my craftsman tools failing.

 

If you have a Harbor Freight near you, get a set of their 12ton jackstands. Well worth the money!! We have two sets.

If you're looking for a hydraulic jack - I'd stick with a good name brand like Craftsman. Our craftsman has been a workhorse for 10 years.
Don't buy a Harbor Freight hydraulic jack. We bought a mini sized one and it failed.

Torque wrenches - can't beat Craftsman. I'd start off with the 1/2". We actually have both 3/8 & 1/2". Always remember to put them back to ZERO when you're finished.

You may also want to think about a Torque Stick for torquing lugnuts. Use this with your impact gun and you can get the torque close to where you need to be. I always go back with a regular torque wrench to check them all. A torque stick comes in various lb ratings. We have a 100lb (grey) one. Love it.

 

Thanks, this is what I was looking for. I have a cousin that lives in Memphis that owns his own snap on tools truck but their prices even with a price break are outrageous. I don't mind paying for quality but what I need is something that will last me a long time and is for the weekend warrior type.

 

I would recommend a Torin Big Red pro series jack if you plan on keeping it for any period of time. The jack is rebuild-able, and highly reliable. I have had one for years and it just keeps on going.

As for a torque wrench, Craftsman has some reasonably priced, quality torque wrenches that will suffice for what you are doing.

 

I use a craftman 3-ton floor jack. I got it a number of years ago w/2 jackstands. The jackstand are to small for the tacoma, but I have 4 larger one form harbor freight. I recently got a red Tourqe Stick, it's set for 90 foot pounds. I can live with the 5 extra pounds of tourque. I can't wait to use it.

 

I've heard good things about them. The craftsman 3 ton I've read up on it and it has some possible problems with it lasting a long time and the craftsman 4 ton is junk. The reviews on the craftsman 4 ton is that after about a year the thing leaks oil bad and only has a 1 yr warranty. Check it out:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950156000P#reviewsWrap

 

Looks like I'm going to be going to harbor freight next pay check. You are the second person that liked the harbor freight stands so that's good enough for me.

 

I use mainly Craftsman, but I'll use whatever it takes to get the job done.

 

I can comment on the Craftsman floor jack that I have. It's a 3 ton jack similar to #50139 on their website. There's a very good view of the release mechanism via geared wheel. For trucks, I believe you should be looking at 3 ton and higher as my other 2 ton cheapie jack is very scary and feels like it will break free any moment even though I always use jack stands in conjunction. Here's the negative feedback in that the #50139 release valve design is piss poor and when under load, very awkward to release. I have to carefully nudge the wheel slowly with a drift in order to drop the vehicle at a safe speed. Even though it's a nuisance, the floor jack does work OK but please compare the various Craftsman valve designs when making a decision.

 

That's what I was reading about them. I still don't know what would be the best floor jack because there is always one review that states that each model has flaws.

 

It is hard to release....and sometimes goes down too fast - but I don't consider this an issue.

My husband doesn't have any problems - as he has more arm strength than I do. I'll use a set of channel locks and grab the handle with it and that gives me the 'torque' I need to loosen the handle slowly.

 

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00990095000P?vName=Automotive&cName=Tools+%26+Equipment&sName=Lift+Equipment#descriptionAnchor

Above is the set I bought back in 1998, but it was sold under the craftsman name back then. Other than the decal it looks exactly like the one I have and I have no complaints about the jack. The Harbor Feight jack stands I use are 6-ton and a very ugly orange color. Hope this helps and good luck dude.

 

I appreciate everybody's help on this one. When you google floor jack it only comes up with the name brands that are out of my league or cheaper ones with bad reviews so that is why I wanted to see what everyone used. Thanks guys and gals!!!