Lug nut torque, does it matter?

I just had all four times replaced and of course, like all tire shops, they use an air impact wrench to install the lug nuts. My guess is they use the same force for my aluminum Tacoma wheels that they use on the giant steel wheels they install on heavy equipment.

So, my question is do you think it really matters, and if not, is the only downside likely to be snapping of a lug bolt? I guess it could damage the wheel as well, but I'm guessing no tire shop around actually torques them to the correct range.

 

Yes, it matters. I always check the torque after tire work because very few shops get it right.

 

They may have used a torque stick on the impact. It's a color coded extension that twists when the allowed torque is reached. Helps with preventing over-tightening the lug nuts.

Edit: Did you see them use something like this?

 

Damage wheel, warp rotors, uneven torque can create vibration and warpage, if ever on the side of the road with a flat you need the strength of Hercules to turn the lug nuts, potential to strip the threads, and I could go on but you get the point.

 

I have never seen any shop hand-torque lugnuts. I've only seen torque sticks. The respectable car repair Youtube channels like South Main Auto and EricTheCarGuy both use torque sticks.

 

I have worked for two companies that require techs to properly torque wheels. Americas Tire (same as Discount Tire), and Firestone Complete Auto Care. Might wanna hit them up for your regular rotations/ balances, etc. As stated above, over torqued wheels can cause plenty of problems. And obviously under torqued wheels could potentially fall off.

 

True. I had to kick the lug nut wrench about 3 times to loosen a few lug nuts after one shops fine work. Some of them just put max force on every vehicle they work on.

 

No I didn't. I may need to buy a torque wrench....

 

And a breaker bar...

 

After the local independent tire shop installed them (they were $50.00 per tire cheaper than anywhere else I could find them) I still had trouble with the balance. Went back several times and finally just took them to the dealership and had them road force balance them. Surely they torqued them correctly........

 

Is a 3/8 inch torque wrench adequate or will I need a 1/2 inch?

 

1/2" - Harbor Freight is good enough. It won't be Snap-On Tool accurate but it won't be 30ft-lb's off either.

 

Costco tightens the lugs with a torque wrench. I thanked the tech for doing that, and he said it is Costco policy to do this. If I ever need tire service, I always ask to have shops torque with a torque wrench. I don't need any of my lugs snapped off.

 

I have a friend who recommended I get an 18 volt portable impact wrench to make it easier. But, I checked out their specs and they are around 200 lbs of torque!

 

Dealer techs are probably under the most time pressure to do jobs quicker. Some of them even use cordless impacts (set to a low clutch setting) to run down spark plugs .

 

Impact wrench does the job perfectly fine. No need for torque

 

This^^

 

The portable impact wrench I mentioned or the one they use in the shop?

 

Max. They adjust.

 

The one I looked out didn't seem to have one (dewalt). Maybe I overlooked it.