Manually tighten up wheel lug nuts?

[Teslaeata]

Wasn't going to mention this but since you brought it up....

Lubricating threads/mating surfaces depends on the lug nuts being used. You are correct not to lubricate with the factory lug nuts but if using aftermarket made from a different material such as titanium, then an anti-seize lubricant is recommended as well as lowering the torque spec. I have a thing for custom fully-forged aluminum wheels and since 2014 been using titanium lug nuts with all my custom wheels. Loctite 51609 LB 8009 Anti-Seize Lubricant is what I've always used and torqued to the recommended 130 lb-ft if the OEM torque spec is 150 lb-ft.

There’s always one

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[MoonRiver]

Guess what, they were all under torqued.

Got a calibrated Husky torque wrench, checked each lug nut . Out of 20 nuts only one was close to the spec, all others had to be tightened al least 1/4 turn to reach 150.

The interesting thing is that even my own 150 torque stick was not up to 150 either. I had to turn it 45 degrees, 1/8 of turn to get to 150. Yes, under torqued is better than over torqued.

So don’t assume the torque stick is accurate.

 

[jav_eee]

hate people who brag about being stupid and reckless.

Whoa whoa calm down there….

 

[superdave80]

No. Just no. Using an extension will make the torque inaccurate. But not a big deal when dealing with 150 lb-ft.
Next time get some deep sockets too.

Yes, just yes. The torque applied to one end of an extension will be the same torque measured on the other end of the extension (it is a static system once the lug nut is no longer moving).

 

[GreaseMonkey]

Whoa whoa calm down there….

Why you feel triggered, friend? Did you make any qualifying statements

 

[jav_eee]

Why you feel triggered, friend? Did you make any qualifying statements

Stupidity is thinking everyone goes home and checks lug torque, especially the people who go somewhere to get service done because they don’t have the tools or know-how to do it themselves.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

Stupidity is thinking everyone goes home and checks lug torque, especially the people who go somewhere to get service done because they don’t have the tools or know-how to do it themselves.

Good. Then just Ignore me instead of publicly embarrassing yourself. Four people proved you wrong already. And OP illustrated why your reckless approach can lead to real trouble. Mr hit it for 5-10 sec. Sheesh.

 

[jav_eee]

4 people “proved” me wrong? FOUR????? lol ok

Mr hit it for 5-10 sec

the fact that you didn’t realize this was said in jest tells me all I need to know.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

4 people “proved” me wrong? FOUR????? lol ok



the fact that you didn’t realize this was said in jest tells me all I need to know.

Great. Now go away.

 

[ChrisO]

Yes, just yes. The torque applied to one end of an extension will be the same torque measured on the other end of the extension (it is a static system once the lug nut is no longer moving).

That statement is partially true but misleading without context.

---

Static Torque Transmission

• In a rigid extension (like a straight socket extension bar), the torque applied at one end is indeed transmitted to the other end without loss.
• Torque is defined as `\( T = F \times r \)`. Once the fastener stops moving (static equilibrium), the torque through the extension is the same at both ends — the bar simply transmits it.
• This is why using a straight socket extension doesn’t change the torque wrench’s accuracy.


---

Where the Statement Fails

• The statement ignores geometry changes. If you change the effective lever arm (e.g., by adding a pipe to the handle or using a crowfoot inline), the torque wrench’s calibration is no longer valid. The wrench still “clicks” at its internal strain point, but the torque delivered to the fastener is higher than indicated.
• It also ignores flexibility and compliance. Real extensions can twist slightly under load. While the torque is the same at both ends in theory, the angle of twist can make the wrench’s click point occur at a slightly different applied torque.
• The “once the lug nut is no longer moving” phrasing is misleading: torque transmission is true whether the nut is moving or not. Static equilibrium just means the torque balances resistance, but calibration errors still exist.


---

Correct Interpretation

• True for rigid, inline socket extensions: Torque at both ends is equal, so readings remain accurate.
• False for handle extensions (pipes/cheater bars): The torque wrench is calibrated for a specific lever length. Extending the handle changes the required force, so the wrench’s indicated torque no longer matches the actual torque applied.
• False if extension geometry changes the lever arm: Crowfoot adapters inline with the handle require correction formulas.


---

Summary Table

Extension Type Torque Transmission Accuracy vs. Wrench Reading
Straight socket extension Same torque both ends Accurate
Rigid pipe on handle Same torque both ends Inaccurate (over-torque)
Crowfoot at 90° Same torque both ends Accurate
Crowfoot inline Same torque both ends Inaccurate unless corrected

---

Bottom line:
The statement is technically true in the narrow sense of torque transmission through a rigid extension, but it’s misleading because it ignores calibration and geometry. For a torque wrench, what matters is not just torque transmission, but whether the tool’s calibrated lever arm length has been altered

I was mislead. The more I researched this the more it see that as long as you keep the handle and the bar inline and the bar doesn’t flex it should be fine.

 

[superdave80]

The wrench still “clicks” at its internal strain point, but the torque delivered to the fastener is higher than indicated.

If the internal strain is correct, what would make more torque be delivered?

The internal mechanism has no knowledge of how that torque was applied. It doesn't know if 150 lb of force was applied to the existing one ft lever, or if a a one ft extension pipe was put on (now two ft lever), and 75 lbs of force applied to the end of the arm. Both apply 150 ft-lb of torque, at which point it will click.

 

[ChrisO]

If the internal strain is correct, what would make more torque be delivered?

The internal mechanism has no knowledge of how that torque was applied. It doesn't know if 150 lb of force was applied to the existing one ft lever, or if a a one ft extension pipe was put on (now two ft lever), and 75 lbs of force applied to the end of the arm. Both apply 150 ft-lb of torque, at which point it will click.

I agree. I think where I went wrong is the term extension can be used to describe several different things and I got information on the wrong kind of extension.

For instance a socket extension might cause twisting of an off axis force that would change torque. Or if the extension was added before the pivot point that would change it too.

With the bar if you ensure that it doesn’t bend and is in line with no twist then it should be accurate. With a fairly short bar that shouldn’t be a problem with maybe the exception being if the bar is loose around the handle, and the bar may flex apply a forced in a way that it might bend the torque wrench bar.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

That statement is partially true but misleading without context.

---

Static Torque Transmission

• In a rigid extension (like a straight socket extension bar), the torque applied at one end is indeed transmitted to the other end without loss.
• Torque is defined as `\( T = F \times r \)`. Once the fastener stops moving (static equilibrium), the torque through the extension is the same at both ends — the bar simply transmits it.
• This is why using a straight socket extension doesn’t change the torque wrench’s accuracy.


---

Where the Statement Fails

• The statement ignores geometry changes. If you change the effective lever arm (e.g., by adding a pipe to the handle or using a crowfoot inline), the torque wrench’s calibration is no longer valid. The wrench still “clicks” at its internal strain point, but the torque delivered to the fastener is higher than indicated.
• It also ignores flexibility and compliance. Real extensions can twist slightly under load. While the torque is the same at both ends in theory, the angle of twist can make the wrench’s click point occur at a slightly different applied torque.
• The “once the lug nut is no longer moving” phrasing is misleading: torque transmission is true whether the nut is moving or not. Static equilibrium just means the torque balances resistance, but calibration errors still exist.


---

Correct Interpretation

• True for rigid, inline socket extensions: Torque at both ends is equal, so readings remain accurate.
• False for handle extensions (pipes/cheater bars): The torque wrench is calibrated for a specific lever length. Extending the handle changes the required force, so the wrench’s indicated torque no longer matches the actual torque applied.
• False if extension geometry changes the lever arm: Crowfoot adapters inline with the handle require correction formulas.


---

Summary Table

Extension Type Torque Transmission Accuracy vs. Wrench Reading
Straight socket extension Same torque both ends Accurate
Rigid pipe on handle Same torque both ends Inaccurate (over-torque)
Crowfoot at 90° Same torque both ends Accurate
Crowfoot inline Same torque both ends Inaccurate unless corrected

---

Bottom line:
The statement is technically true in the narrow sense of torque transmission through a rigid extension, but it’s misleading because it ignores calibration and geometry. For a torque wrench, what matters is not just torque transmission, but whether the tool’s calibrated lever arm length has been altered

I was mislead. The more I researched this the more it see that as long as you keep the handle and the bar inline and the bar doesn’t flex it should be fine.

Yes. ChatGPT was intoxicated when it gave you the info. It should stop smoking weed while on the job.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Yes. ChatGPT was intoxicated when it gave you the info. It should stop smoking weed while on the job.

Maybe we could all make such a suggestion to it and see if it cleans up its act.

 

[MoonRiver]

The torque wrench is calibrated under a particular set up, say, at where the force is applied, to reach an accurate desired torque you have to apply the force at the same point.

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