If you're just replacing the rims you dont need one. All I used was the tire jack and lug nut wrench that were in my trunk. Just make sure to re-tighten the lugs after you drive a bit to make sure they are secure.

 

Yes, you should use the torque wrench. The purpose of the torque wrench is to have the correct torque. You don't want too much torque which could damage/warp your rotor and damage your lug nuts nor not enough torque which can cause too loose lug nuts which is really bad because you might end up having your tires came off your car while driving. I think it is this fear that most people think the more torque they applied the better.
The correct torque setting for our 07 Camry is 77 lbs. You can buy them at any autoparts stores like Autozone, Kragen, etc...and ask them to show you how to use it.
Good luck.

 

if you're in toronto i have a good torque wrench and can help you torque the lug nuts for free to the proper setting just pm me.

 

Yes, you should use the torque wrench. The purpose of the torque wrench is to have the correct torque. You don't want too much torque which could damage/warp your rotor and damage your lug nuts nor not enough torque which can cause too loose lug nuts which is really bad because you might end up having your tires came off your car while driving. I think it is this fear that most people think the more torque they applied the better.
The correct torque setting for our 07 Camry is 77 lbs. You can buy them at any autoparts stores like Autozone, Kragen, etc...and ask them to show you how to use it.
Good luck.

Good advice, I cracked a wheel lock because I did'nt have a torque wrench.

 

its a good idea to have a torque wrench period... Not just for tightening your lugs. There are several times I've needed to have a torque wrench when working on my car, my dad's car, my sister's car.... any car you ever might need to do a little bit of do it yourselfing, always good idea to have one in your tool box.

 

I'll go look for a torque wrench then. I've seen 3/8" and 1/2" wrenches as well. Which size does the Camry need?

 

If you're just replacing the rims you dont need one. All I used was the tire jack and lug nut wrench that were in my trunk. Just make sure to re-tighten the lugs after you drive a bit to make sure they are secure.

What a Joke!!!

 

What a Joke!!!

When you go to a mechanic, they use the air tools. Are those similar to a torque wrench or are they just like a regular wrench? (Meaning do they torque it to 77lbs, or just tighten is as much as they can?)

 

Geoff5093,
The mechanic or discounted tires guys are not going to have the time to change each setting for each car they work on. Even if they do, I still don't trust them. I do it myself.

 

When you go to a mechanic, they use the air tools. Are those similar to a torque wrench or are they just like a regular wrench? (Meaning do they torque it to 77lbs, or just tighten is as much as they can?)

You have a LOT to learn.

Most run them up just tight with the impact wrench and then use the torque wrench with the tightening sequence to ensure that your rotors don't warp or your wheels fall off.

A lousy shop, lazy worker or uneducated owner will just use the impact wrench to save time.

They do make torque impact wrenches now.

 

You would need a 1/2 inch drive torque wrench for the lugs and the correct deep well socket to fit the lug bolts. I own torque wrenches and haven't used them in years but they are most helpful when reassembling an engine. You want correct and even torque on connecting rod caps, heads, etc.

If you have a good feel for how much pressure you are applying, torquing wheel lug bolts just doesn't really warrant using a torque wrench, but then it doesn't hurt, and if you are young and inexperienced in these things, well, learning is better than abject ignorance.

If you can, borrow a torque wrench for the afternoon, loosen the bolts and then retorque to spec (someone said 77 foot pounds). Once you feel how tight 77 fp is, then in the future you can do this without the calibration. The tolerences aren't that critical here.

Oh, and how to use? Always loosen a bolt a little before attempting to measure the torque. Not doing so is not accurate.

 

damn... how much is a simple torque wrench? pay the money and do it right. My dad has a cool one where you set the amount of torque, turn and it clicks when you've hit 77lb/ft. takes me all of a minute to do each wheel when rotating...

 

If it was me, I'd use a torque wrench.
Would worry I'd overtighten the lug nuts.

 

Since where on the topic and I obviously didnt know you should use a torque wrench for the lugs, would overtightening them cause the car to vibrate a bit when going atound 75mph?

 

Since where on the topic and I obviously didnt know you should use a torque wrench for the lugs, would overtightening them cause the car to vibrate a bit when going atound 75mph?

My main worry from overtightening the lug nuts would be warping my brake rotors.
Not good. :sosad:

 

tighten your lug nuts or have this happen to you!!!

http://www.teamjamoto.com/dixeregionpage.htm

lmao

 

Since where on the topic and I obviously didnt know you should use a torque wrench for the lugs, would overtightening them cause the car to vibrate a bit when going atound 75mph?

If you are bending or stretching the wheel or the rotor a bit, it moves the metal around and therefore it becomes slightly out of round and slightly out of balance. Out of round means it will vibrate. Evenly torque the bolts alternately until you get to about 50 foot pounds and then do it all again to 77 foot pounds.

Go to Sears and buy a torque wrench. They are cheap and the Sears things last forever.

 

get a 1/2" drive torque wrench ... check for the correct amount of tq and plz dont use the tool in your trunk - thats okay for a spare tire thats TEMPORARY ... im sure some ppl have been fine with it, but there are others who have bent/broken parts or have been driving and the wheel came off

 

Quick scan of this thread and i didn't see anyone mention it, BUT setting the proper torque on lug nuts has one primary purpose... To ensure all lug nuts are evenly secured.

What happen is the tire heats the wheel and the hub or the brakes heat the hub and the wheel... Varying the torque values on the lugs can cause loosening on the weaker torqued lugs which in turn causes the lug nuts to spin off. Even tightening ensures that no thread is affected differently by thermal expansion/contraction.

 

so the correct setting for Gen 6 is 77fp. Anyone know the correct setting for Gen 5?

 

Somebody said 77 fp so I will take that as true, but it should vary somewhat depending upon the wheel, be it steel or alloy. In any event, it is more important that the bolts are tightened to a uniform value than it is to adhere to a specific torque value, i.e., 75 fp all around is better than having the bolts torqued to 65, 60,81,74,78. Alloy wheels will bend and flex more easily than steel. Therefore you want the bolts tight enough that they aren't coming loose, but not so tight that they will warp the wheel and rotor.

 

so the correct setting for Gen 6 is 77fp. Anyone know the correct setting for Gen 5?

I am the one said 77 ft/lb for Gen 6. I got this from a reliable source on this forum, kyle@tirerack.
For your Gen5, go to the main forum, scroll down to where it said "Wheels, tires, etc..."
You can send a new thread then Kyle will answer your thread. He work for Tirerack whom is a sponsor for that forum. He seems very knowledgeable about wheels and tires.

 

i have a torque wrench and NEVER used it to tighten lugs on the wheels. if this is the only use you would have for a torque wrench, IMO i wouldnt bother spending the money.

 

^ some people care about safety more than say $50 for a torque wrench. Don't see why you would not want to use it especially if you actually own one.

Everyone should use one.