Lug nuts on a 3500, how do you torque them?

[D White]

Putting an extension on the torque wrench don't work. How is everyone torque'in down the lug nut on the rear wheels of the 3500's? Just hammer'em on with an air wrench and call it close enough or what? I know they should be at 150 ft. pounds.



Thanks,

Doug

 

[Shovelhead]

Gettin' Torqued

I've always used my torque wrench with a 6" extension.

I've never had a problem.

 

[D White]

I'll go get a 6'' and try that. The one I have is 10'' and just can't get enough leverage with it being so long.



Thanks,

Doug

 

[THerman]

I've done it mostly by feel...



using the impact wrench, then checking with the tire iron.

 

[Bigramguy]

They make special extended sockets that you can put on an impact gun that will stop at a certain torque. They are made of like a spring steel so that they twist at the rated torque and it stops tightening. They are pretty accurate (within 10%),and really quick to use. Most tool guys will have them,individually or in sets.



It's a good thing to request if any shop has your wheels off. Most good shops have them,just sometimes too lazy to use them.



If you do use a long extension,for the torque wrench,make sure it is a good quality impact rated extension,otherwise it will twist,and throw off the torque.

 

[Bigramguy]

Here is a link . They are color coded for difference torque specs.



http://www.tireservicecentral.com/P...ocket_Sets/Torquesoc/torque_socket_sets_0.htm

 

[Bart]

When i put my wheels back on I have to use a 350 lb (capacity) 3/4" drive torque wrench I have. But most over the counter $40 torque wrenchs go to 150 on the top end. According to the shop manual another thing to do is to put two (only two) drops of oil between each of the nuts and the washers. This is for correct torque not a false reading because of the friction between the nut and washer. Those auto torquing extensions require something most of us don't have. A compressor capable of driving the impact wrench at more that the required torque. Anyone out there have 150+ psi compressor. Mine shuts off at 120-130 psi.

 

[Bigramguy]

Most 1/2" impact guns are rated at 90 PSI and will produce anywhere from 200-600+ ft pounds. Our shop compressor was factory set at 160 PSI,but I lowered it to 120 to make it last longer. We have no problems torquing anything in that range with a 1/2" impact gun.

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

Echoing what BigramGuy said earlier in this thread - the same goes for Rickson 19. 5 inch wheels - They supply (on request) special extended sockets that you can put on an impact gun that will stop at a certain torque. They are made of like a spring steel so that they twist at the rated torque and it stops tightening. Works like a dream on my airgun, which makes tire rotation a real breeze to set-up.

 

[Shovelhead]

My 5hp craftsman compressor peaks at 130psi.

My Craftsman 1/2" impact will torque my H-Ds compensator nut to over 250 ft lbs. (Checked with a torque wrench)



Just to echo what Bart stated above, remember to add one or two drops of oil between the nut and the captured washer to insure correct torque values.

 

[Cliffman]

OK, I give up. A why can't you put an extension on a torque wrench. I do it all the time. Seems to work just fine for me.

 

[Bigramguy]

Cliffman



You can use an extension on a torque wrench,but keep it as short as possible,and it must be a high quality one,like an impact type extension. The cheaper long extensions will actually "twist",and absorb some of the force being applied,thereby affecting the actual torque delivered to the socket.



An easy example would be to picture trying to pry something with a piece of 2X2 (wood),or a solid steel bar. Which one is actually going to give you any leverage without bending ?

 

[Bart]

One can use an extension. It won't add or subtract torque, just let your torque wrench reach farther.

That's why I love this site. I learned something from the "the BIG Ram guy" and others. I had alway corrilated compressor psi with lbs of torque. I sit corrected.

 

[Bigramguy]

Bart



You are actually correct,the output torque of most airtools does go up in with an increase in input pressure. Most airtools are "rated at",or meant to be used at 90-120 psi. Running higher pressures will give you better airtools performance (output),but it is harder on the tools,and compressor.



Another very important factor is air volume or flow. Using smaller supply pipes,fittings and cheap air hose with very small internal diameters will cause a huge drop in performance. We recently bought some airlines (3/8" X 50 ft) off of on of the local tool trucks and noticed a huge drop in performance with my impact gun. I had it rebuilt and it was still the same. It was so bad I couldn't get some lug nuts off a few cars. We cut open one of the lines and it was actually only 1\4" inside,and the fittings on each end were even smaller. We went back to one of our old hoses and everything was fine.



If you have a home compressor setup,keep the plumbing as short and simple as possible and get good air hoses and fittings with min 3/8 fittings. Your tools will then work as designed,and put out near or above thier rated torque.

 

[D White]

Thanks for all the replies, never heard about the oil between the nut and washer before. I bought a 6'' extension, which works great.



Thanks again,

Doug

 

[Batman]

Bigramguy



Since you seem to be knowledgeable about air tools... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..... I got a quetion maybe you can help with.

I bought a 1/2" impact wrench that supposedly good for 400 ft lbs. I have a 6hp 125 psi max 30 gal air compressor at home. With this setup, I can't loosen properly torqued (150ft lbs) lug nuts on my truck. However, I took my gun to a frined of mines garage and used his compressor, and spun the lug nuts off like the NASCAR pit crews.

Here's my theory, tell me waht you think. I don't have enough CFM and PSI to do the job... ... ... ... ..... IE I need a bigger compressor.

TIA

 

[Shovelhead]

Batman,

Do you oil your air wrenches?

I've found a couple of drops of Marvel Mystery oil, or ATF in a pinch into the air nipple before hooking up the hose will work wonders.

 

[Batman]

Yes, I oil them about 5 drops every day I use them.

Good thought tho!

 

[Bigramguy]

It's probably not the compressor.



I have a 6HP compressor as well,just with a bigger 60 Gallon tank,which runs our entire shop. The compressor size isn't really that important for taking off lug nuts,as long as you have more than 100 psi or so. A bigger compressor and bigger tank is only needed for longer continuos duty. You may find that with your smaller compressor,you may have to stop and let it fill back up after taking off a wheel,before continuing on to the next.



Your problem is most likely a flow restriction,such as fittings,dryers,or the hose itself. You should have at least 1/2" supply lines to where you are working,as short as possible,and then a short 3/8" line to the gun itself.



If you have an air dryer,lubricator or pressure regulator then they may also be the cause of the restriction. A lot of the cheaper ones are only 1\4" ID and will severly affect airtool performance. You should also avoid using any 90 degree fittings in your installation as they also will reduce performance. Cheap quick couplers may also have very small internal diameters as well. Keep the whole setup as short as possible.



Try using just a short piece of good 3\8 hose directly from the compressor to your gun,and see how it works. If you now have lots of power,then you will have to figure out what is causing your restriction,and rework your air supply accordingly.



If you don't have a pressure gauge,then get one. Your cutout switch on the compressor may be set to low and you may not have enough pressure in the tank. Most are adjustable,usually 120-125 PSI is a good balance between airtool performance and compressor life.

 

[Batman]

Thanks Chris... ..... looks like the root of my problems is the 1/4" line and connectors I'm using. I'll pick up larger lines and fittings.

Thanks for the info.

Best Regards,

George