Please re-read my post, AND/OR is said in there.I did not directly say you did not properly torque them,it was one of 2 possibilities,the other was you did not re-check them.


Don't know where you guy's are going but my shop it is mandatory to use a calibrated torque wrench(shop supplied),then you must have another person re-torque the lugnuts and sign off on the work ticket with the stated torque used(via OEM torque spec chart). Oh and it's a national store and that is company policy and are reminded everyday of it.

+1, people get fired over that doo doo

It's not possible to check the torque by just using a torque wrench to verify -- one would have to loosen and re-torque the wheels. Otherwise the "verification" would only prove the wheels were tight enough. If the torque was above the setting (too tight) it would still be passed. So re checking is most likely just checking to be sure they are tight enough--not over tightened.

i started using a torque wrench or bar after i busted a dudes fancy arse rim and had to pay for it

which shouldnt have happened anyway, i had just forgotten to turn the gun down to 80 instead of 200

_________________
03 Renegade (Black)
177k miles 3.7L gas - 45RFE
Command Trac / 4.10s
Lift: ft. 790+ rr. JBA4+
The last of the TrailReady Front&Rear Bumpers and TR Rock Rails
Jarhead Offroad light covers
31x10.5R15 RedLetter Grabbers on Blackrock Dunes
L.O.S.T #KD098632

The gun should only be used to run the nut up on to a point , ( which is not tighter than factory specs) then the final would be done with a torque wrench , it would not be hammered on and then use a torque wrench to check it like Neal suggests.
Difference between a quality shop and one thats only in it for the money

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MUDD'S MOTORSPORT'S We do IFS lift installs ,
03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited

Then you need to find another shop! I've watched the mechanics at my local "Discount Tire" and they use a torque wrench on every lug nut they touch.. after putting them on with a impact wrench. I'm not sure if they use torque sticks or not on the impact wrench Maybe they knew I was watching Lugs coming loose on Aluminum wheels are a common known problem and the torque must be checked after 50-100 miles. I'm sure it's in the owners manual someplace

Now everyone go out and check these chrome nuts

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Atlantic Blue 06 CRD Limited (his)
Joined by a 2000 XJ Classic (hers)

Actually, if you set the torque wrench a bit higher than the previous guy...that will tell you.

well if its clickin at 5 to 10 over what it's supposta max be at..

_________________
03 Renegade (Black)
177k miles 3.7L gas - 45RFE
Command Trac / 4.10s
Lift: ft. 790+ rr. JBA4+
The last of the TrailReady Front&Rear Bumpers and TR Rock Rails
Jarhead Offroad light covers
31x10.5R15 RedLetter Grabbers on Blackrock Dunes
L.O.S.T #KD098632

True. I once worked at a tire shop (Kal Tire) and we used a torque wrench. I'd be surprised if any of the major tire shops don't use a torque wrench.

It is still possible to over tighten with a torque wrench if you over tighten with the lug gun first and then check it with the torque wrench without backing it off first and calling it good. The torque wrench protects you from under tightening, not over tightening.

Sometimes some of my lug nuts are tight on removal too. I always torque them to 100 ft-ibs. My new air tool makes it a lot easier for removal though.

I use my electric 1/4" impact driver,never gets them over 50lbs-ft tight then I use a torque wrench.

thanks for all the replies everyone......now I have a new issue.

The rim that came off is damaged beyond safe usage. does anyone know where I can get a stock Freedom edition wheel??
here's a photo of the wheel

Borrowed from a website that had this jeep for sale. (not my jeep)


17"x7 graphite 6 spoke.
My spare (wheel) is currently one of the four on the ground, and I am without a spare. Jeep looks goofy without the wheel & tire back there.

_________________
What could be better than Liberty & Freedom???? Driving a Jeep that is Both!?!?!
2003 4x4 Freedom Edition. 93Kmi. Added: front tow hooks, trailer hitch, EVIC.

I had a similar situation where a shop (national chain franchise) mounted my tires on new rims for me but just used their air powered wrench to put the the lugs on (as I found out afterwards) Immediately after, I started to notice vibration when driving. When I checked ALL 4 wheels, most of the lugs were loose as I could rotate them by hand.

After tightening them, I took it back to the owner of the shop and he said that they should have used a torque stick but when I spoke to the mechanic, he admitted that their air compressor was leaking or not working for a week which clearly indicated to me that they NEVER did use a torque wrench.

I was really upset because of they put my family and I at risk and also since they could have stripped the wheel lug well on the alloy wheels or worse.

Needless to say, I don't use that shop any longer.

I highly recommend asking the actual mechanic working on the vehicle either before or after he does the job, "what torque setting did he calibrate the wrench to?" or better still tell him what it should be!!

Icarl, I find that Kal Tire and Costco are very good at using a torque wrench whereas other tire shops may be hit and miss.

L&F, why not put the spare tire/wheel on and find another Liberty 17" wheel/tire (chrome, silver if you can't find an identical match) as I think yours may not be as common. You may want to check Ebay for the wheel too.

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l--- L---ollllllo-
( )_)-( )_)-o-)_) Liberator

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Hare on my Chest

I guess I'm doing it all wrong, I use an electric impact wrench to mount my wheels on my Jeeps. I suppose my wheels won't fly off but I'm probably warping my rotors. I know I'm beating up my nuts....my lug nuts
Now where did I put my torque wrench???

_________________
my trail & highway ride (and occasional tow rig)
04 Liberty Sport with a 2.5" lift, ProComp 245/75R16 AT's and two Hella700FF lamps (more accessories to come)

my trail queen
95 YJ with a RE 4" lift, 33" ProComp Extreme's, M8000 Winch, Lockrite Locker up front, Super35 in the rear and 4.88 gears

I too work at a chain store.

we torque all wheels with a torque stick, and then verify with a torque wrench.

A torque stick only allows the lugs to go so tight, the torque wrench tightens it the rest of the way.

No one ever stops to think that studs should be replaced after so many on/off's of the lug nuts. You dont reuse head bolts when rebuilding an engine becuase they stretch. Studs do the same thing and therefore in theory should be replaced every so often as well.

I blame over tightening the most for studs that break off while driving. But it isnt the ONLY reason they break off.

Had the wheel came off BEFORE you rotated them it would have been the shops fault but since you had the wheel off before it happened legally it is your fualt.

Would you blame the shop if your engine lost its oil becuase you changed the oil after they did?

_________________
Jeepless again.

Wheeling an Isuzu Rodeo on 1 tons
and a Stock Chevy Tracker

A little unkown fact...........

Bolt stretch
Measuring bolt stretch requires the use of a bolt-stretch gage (with a dial indicator). This application is for high performance connecting rod bolts and engines that are disassembled on a regular basis.
This allows the technician to achieve the highest tensile strength (yield point) of the bolt with a high level of consistency. The bolt manufacturer will specify the amount of stretch.