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Tightening lug nuts using torque multiplier

Here is a video I made that condenses various articles from the internet and explains how to use a 58x torque multiplier to tighten lug nuts. Some people call these "cheater" wrenches, but I am impressed with the mechanical advantage they impart on a lug nut without a lot of pain and cursing.

Tim's RV Tips #11, Tightening lug nuts using torque multiplier, July 8, 2018...

Please review and advise me of any improvements that could be made.

Re: Tightening lug nuts using torque multiplier

Reply #1 –
I'm no expert, but I find those flexible bendy torque wrenches hard to use, because they are so "vague" about what torque you are actually applying...especially when viewed at a awkward angle.  I am much more confident using a "click" type wrench that gives a positive audible indication when you arrive at the desired torque.  But that's just me...

Re: Tightening lug nuts using torque multiplier

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Tim –
Here is a video I made that condenses various articles from the internet and explains how to use a 58x torque multiplier to tighten lug nuts. Some people call these "cheater" wrenches, but I am impressed with the mechanical advantage they impart on a lug nut without a lot of pain and cursing.

Tim's RV Tips #11, Tightening lug nuts using torque multiplier, July 8, 2018...

Please review and advise me of any improvements that could be made.
They have been used for years on ships, for big diesel engine cylinder head torquing.

Re: Tightening lug nuts using torque multiplier

Reply #3 –
Quote from: jcus –
They have been used for years on ships, for big diesel engine cylinder head torquing.
Yup, I used them on the head bolts on the tugboat Enterprise diesels. Seems like the torque was 2,000 lbs.,We broke a lot of sockets!

Re: Tightening lug nuts using torque multiplier

Reply #5 –
Quote from: jcus –
You are showing your age Mike :))  :))  :))  :)) 
Ha! Not quite, the owner of the tugboat company was a notorious cheapskate (and a hell of a nice guy) who bought the Enterprise (brand new) at a overseas auction after the war. Used it on the Alaskan run for years. Great engine, but towards the end (40 years ago) she started blowing head gaskets on every run, that's where I came in. His name was Boyer, and the crew called me, 'the guy who busts nuts for Boyer." On the day of my marrige, he called as the Mia H limped in. I told him about my expected honeymoon, mattered not to that old salt. A friend heard the story and wrote a song for us: it was called "Honeymoon on the Mia."  ^.^d  the enterprise was what was called 'direct reversing' in that the cam had to be 'rolled' to get reverse. It was gen-set air compressor powered and I told Boyer that 'his day would come'. It did, the gennie failed coming into a pier and not only trashed the pier, but the barge slammed into the Mia.

Re: Tightening lug nuts using torque multiplier

Reply #6 –
Quote from: mike leary –
Ha! Not quite, the owner of the tugboat company was a notorious cheapskate (and a hell of a nice guy) who bought the Enterprise (brand new) at a overseas auction after the war. Used it on the Alaskan run for years. Great engine, but towards the end (40 years ago) she started blowing head gaskets on every run, that's where I came in. His name was Boyer, and the crew called me, 'the guy who busts nuts for Boyer." On the day of my marrige, he called as the Mia H limped in. I told him about my expected honeymoon, mattered not to that old salt. A friend heard the story and wrote a song for us: it was called "Honeymoon on the Mia."  ^.^d  the enterprise was what was called 'direct reversing' in that the cam had to be 'rolled' to get reverse. It was gen-set air compressor powered and I told Boyer that 'his day would come'. It did, the gennie failed coming into a pier and not only trashed the pier, but the barge slammed into the Mia.

mia h tugboat - Google Search

Re: Tightening lug nuts using torque multiplier

Reply #7 –
Regarding the beam type torque wrench: I used this same torque wrench to torque propeller bolts on my Cessna 172. My FAA-certified mechanic checked the torque using his calibrated click type torque wrench. It was dead-nuts on, pun intended.

The cost of these walmart cheater torque multiplier lug nut wrenches just dropped to $42.

Re: Tightening lug nuts using torque multiplier

Reply #8 –
Matt had a bunch of trouble breaking wheel studs with one this winter. His posting is here, just use search.I wouldn't use one period. He was very careful. Used it per instructions. At 200 lbs, when checked they were close to 500 lbs.
he was torquing to 850+ after he found out.
 
Tighten by hand, go to a Love's truck stop, they will check them for free.
Chris

Re: Tightening lug nuts using torque multiplier

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Tim –
Regarding the beam type torque wrench: I used this same torque wrench to torque propeller bolts on my Cessna 172. My FAA-certified mechanic checked the torque using his calibrated click type torque wrench. It was dead-nuts on, pun intended.

How does one "verify torque" after a bolt has been torqued to a specific setting.

Roland

Re: Tightening lug nuts using torque multiplier

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Roland Begin –
How does one "verify torque" after a bolt has been torqued to a specific setting.

Roland

Excellent point.

By applying tightening torque, one can ONLY verify that torque is at or ABOVE set torque.

To RE-torque, one must loosen and RE-torque.

Some tire stores, require that another tech "re-torque" after wheel installation.  All they are doing is verifying that torque is at or above torque spec.

Recently had new tires installed on our car.  Left the tire store (Sams), and LOOSENED and retorqued with my Snap-on torque wrench.  Because they are aluminum wheels, I RE-torqued after 200 miles. Life is good.

Re: Tightening lug nuts using torque multiplier

Reply #11 –
Yes, to verify torque, one must torque to a few ft-lbs higher than what is being verified and watch that the bolt just starts to turn.

This torque multiplier easily removed the lug nuts on my front wheel with no cursing. We'll see how it works on the rear duallies with the stud-piloted (AKA "budd") lugs nuts. The tool comes with the  13/16 inch budd socket. I liked it so much I bought a second one.

Re: Tightening lug nuts using torque multiplier

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Tim –
Yes, to verify torque, one must torque to a few ft-lbs higher than what is being verified and watch that the bolt just starts to turn.

This torque multiplier easily removed the lug nuts on my front wheel with no cursing. We'll see how it works on the rear duallies with the stud-piloted (AKA "budd") lugs nuts. The tool comes with the 3/4 inch budd socket. I liked it so much I bought a second one.
It had better be a 13/16 square socket.
 

Re: Tightening lug nuts using torque multiplier

Reply #13 –
Confirmed. It has a 1.5 inch hex and a 13/16 square socket.