Best Value Torque Wrenches for Lug Nuts: Real-World Recommendations

[GaryMGg]

I currently don’t own a 1/2” torque wrench which will do the lug nuts.
What’s a good wrench which won’t break the bank yet the markings are going to last and it’ll be mostly accurate?
It’s been decades since I’ve had one and don’t know what’s reasonable.
Thanks, as always as y’all help spend our kids’ inheritance.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

I use a Harbor Freight click-type 1/2" drive torque wrench. Lug nut torque values are a wide enough range that the Harbor Freight will work well enough. And I've checked mine, it seems to be accurate within +-2.5 ft.lbs.

 

[The_Duke]

x2 on Harbor Freight, I've checked mine at work and pretty close to cal standard. Certainly good enough for me.

 

[NB Canada]

They are not an expensive tool
Just remember to lower the setting when not used for period of time

 

[trailrydr]

Would stick with a mechanical torque wrench. Stay away from the digital ones IMO. Also wouldnt focus on those $20 cheap ones. If your going to buy one, would look at a decent brand name one that is reasonably priced and come in a case for storage.

Have had the cheapos and they dont adjust well over time and can get out of spec easily. Setting any of them to the low(est) torque value when stored is a good tip.

 

[terryriddle]

Would stick with a mechanical torque wrench. Stay away from the digital ones IMO. Also wouldnt focus on those $20 cheap ones. If your going to buy one, would look at a decent brand name one that is reasonably priced and come in a case for storage.

Have had the cheapos and they dont adjust well over time and can get out of spec easily. Setting any of them to the low(est) torque value when stored is a good tip.

I agree.. I have two, and each comes in a plastic protective case. I also lower the setting before putting it away. I keep them at zero when stored in the case. The larger one goes to a much higher torque setting than the shorter one. I also carry a breaker bar.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

I also carry a breaker bar.

Oh yeah, a 25" breaker bar. Not a good idea to use a cheap torque wrench as a breaker bar. But truth be told, I haven't used it much since I started carrying the Dewalt 1/2" cordless impact.

 

[terryriddle]

Very true!!!

 

[trailrydr]

Oh yeah, a 25" breaker bar. Not a good idea to use a cheap torque wrench as a breaker bar. But truth be told, I haven't used it much since I started carrying the Dewalt 1/2" cordless impact.

I like my colapsable 4way lugnut tool. Takes some umph to remove lugs.. but stores easy in its bag and has been very reliable for years on the road and off!

Very similar to this Northern Tool one but mine came with a storage bag. BTW, nice thing about 4ways is they allow for equal torque (pull up on one leg, push down on the other) when removing lugs.

 

[RV2600RB]

Snap-on.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Snap-on.

LOL Using their EZ Payment Plan?

 

[GaryMGg]

Went back online to check the local Lowe’s inventory for their 1/2” Kobalt and Home Depot, which is about a mile from here, had the Husky 1/2” on sale from $97 to $64 including tax. It’s rated up to 250 Ft-Lbs.
I own several 1/2” American 6-point Craftsman socket sets from my younger days and the one I made a case for will travel with me.

 

[SGT ROC]

Ya know what's really funny? I remember when no one EVER checked the torque on Lug nuts. I worked at a service station (where we actually worked on cars, not just pumping gas) as a kid. Air impact on it's only setting and away ya go....

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Ya know what's really funny? I remember when no one EVER checked the torque on Lug nuts. I worked at a service station (where we actually worked on cars, not just pumping gas) as a kid. Air impact on it's only setting and away ya go....

Yeah, me too. But I also remember not being able to get the lug nuts loose with supplied angled lug wrench.

 

[RV2600RB]

LOL Using their EZ Payment Plan?

Buy once, cry once. 250ft-lbs.

 

[SGT ROC]

Yeah, me too. But I also remember not being able to get the lug nuts loose with supplied angled lug wrench.

Yeah, there was that

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Buy once, cry once. 250ft-lbs.

Nah, I worked with a guy who bought a lot of Snap-On stuff. I just couldn't see the premium price. Craftsman work just fine for me. In fact I hated the Snap-On combination wrenches, they sure looked good, such a nice pretty chrome finish. But you couldn't hang on to them with greasy hands.

Just way over priced stuff that you paid for the name. And that EZ-Pay plan. They sure had a heck of a marketing department.

 

[trailrydr]

Ya know what's really funny? I remember when no one EVER checked the torque on Lug nuts. I worked at a service station (where we actually worked on cars, not just pumping gas) as a kid. Air impact on it's only setting and away ya go....

Yup.... just made them tight.... probably 100lbish on any car, trailer, etc. Only really used them "back in the day" on mechanical assemblys (i.e. auto - heads, manifolds, differentials, bearing caps, suspension parts, etc). The rest were just guess for the most part. Funny thing was...... the guesses didnt fail nor break.

 

[trailrydr]

Nah, I worked with a guy who bought a lot of Snap-On stuff. I just couldn't see the premium price. Craftsman work just fine for me. In fact I hated the Snap-On combination wrenches, they sure looked good, such a nice pretty chrome finish. But you couldn't hang on to them with greasy hands.

Just way over priced stuff that you paid for the name. And that EZ-Pay plan. They sure had a heck of a marketing department.

Yeah.... they literally came to each retail service dept and hocked their tools, chests, etc! Didnt have to leave home or work without one! And didnt they also have a trade in plan...?

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Funny thing was...... the guesses didnt fail nor break.

Mostly.