[chuckh]

This is why I never let tire stores use an impact gun on the tire lug nuts. They only have a thin metal shell on them and the impact gun wears them down. Worked on a mustang yesterday and one had to be cut off due this. Don't let them use the gun. Even on after market chrome nuts it chips and wears down the chrome.

 

[pwd72s]

The tire store I use doesn't use impact guns...they are torqued on by hand. When buying tires, it definitely pays to ask. I was pleased to note that they tighten the lugs in a staggered pattern, as it should be done. When home, I check their torque figures against my snap-on torque wrench.

Yeah, it may only be a Ford, but I'm fussy.

 

[bullit4404]

I have a special set of sockets for lug nuts that are lined with hard nylon inside and out. Easy on the lugs, won't scratch the wheels.
And, I always torque the lug nuts by hand with my torque wrench. Any good tire store should have those sockets. When I worked at Goodyear, the shop had a set to use on good wheels. One solution is to replace your lug nuts with a quality set of solid units and keep your originals in good shape for show or sale. Part of the problem, especially here in Canada, is that techs will use a metric socket when an imperial is required or vice versa.
The proper way to do it, in my opinion, is to crack the lug nuts just loose with a breaker bar, then use an 18-20V impact driver to take them off and back on, then torque to spec. Modern air guns can easily produce 350-400 ft'lbs torque. My Ingersol Rand will break lugs nuts, not the right tool.
I learned the hard way working on Porsches with Titanium lugs @ $40 each.
There's no excuse for that kind of shoddy workmanship.
McGard makes a good quality solid lug nut.

 

[JackDW - 852]

After having daughter Ranger serviced by a Ford dealer, I was changing her brakes. My Impact would not even start to loosen those sucker. Used a 3/4" breaker bar with a long cheater pipe to finally break them loose. Felt lucky no broken studs. I had some unkind words for that dealership's service folks.

 

[bullit4404]

Not uncommon Jack, good thing she didn't have a flat tire.
I've had to cut them off with chisels, die grinders and in one case a plasma cutter.
They make a cool carbide "easy out" tool now for taking off lugs or locks when the key is lost. Ruins the lug or lock but they work slick.

 

[TwoStangWmn]

Good to know.

 

[VIC-TIM]

carry my own wrench with me everywhere and when it is tire time, I loosen them and I tighten them. store I use has no issue with me doing it.

 

[tossass4370]

Totally agree on air impact guns. Can so easily over torque and then when checked with a torque bar, will only show torqued to at least spec and not how much over.
The FORD OEM nuts have that pretty shell. But is does loosen over time. I have stopped using the OEM nuts. Got solid McGard lug nuts. Domestic made with a quality finish. For road course, I use open nuts. And I throw away a nut with any resistance when starting them.

 

[bullit4404]

Now, all we have to do is find a way to deal with the loose nuts behind the wheel. There is no torque wrench for stupidity. (You may quote me)

 

[ZEN357]

Damn that's some serious damage!!!!

 

[chuckh]

Now, all we have to do is find a way to deal with the loose nuts behind the wheel. There is no torque wrench for stupidity. (You may quote me)

 

[chitownson]

Thought the blue states banned impact guns? (oops, wrong guns.....)

 

[Ezekial]

The problem for me is not the use of an impact gun itself but the user who uses it improperly.

When tightening, just a couple uga-ugas is all you need. In fact for myself, I stopped using a torque wrench many years back and just stick with the impact (unless it's just one wheel and I don't want to get out the hose). I know my impact and know how how much it tightens. I sometimes go back with a 4 way by hand for good measure, and tighten by feel (1 small/good ummph). Saves a lot of time & energy this way

I do get nervous everytime I come back from a shop though. I have asked in the past to tighten by hand, probably should still ask for it.