Poor Lug Wrench design...
10/27/08, 02:45 PM
#1
V6 Member
Thread Starter
Poor Lug Wrench design...
Over the weekend, I rotated the tires on my 08 GT. I started off with a ratchet, (bad idea) which stripped the teeth off, breaking the wrench. I then got the lug wrench from the trunk, which is the one included with the vehicle, and tried that. Has anyone else noticed they are hollow and just bend and twist instead of actually turning the lug nut? I can not believe that someone thought a hollow lug wrench was a good idea. Anyone else had this happen? What if it had been a flat on the highway instead of rotating the tires in the driveway?
10/27/08, 03:38 PM
#2
Legacy TMS Member
yea its the cheapness you get from most car makers today. Thats a good excuse to go buy some good tools. Did you use a tq wrench when you tightened those lug nuts?
Last edited by Glenn; 10/27/08 at 03:39 PM.
10/27/08, 05:07 PM
#3
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Ditto on the tq wrench. re-torque after driving a few miles.I keep a 1/2" breaker bar ,short extension and deep socket in my detail bag stowed in the trunk.I think the lug nuts where like the oil filter over torqued from the factory.
10/27/08, 05:22 PM
#4
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yeah, that is something you would rarely think about until you get out and have an untimely flat. Had a similar occurance with my '04 Monte Carlo and came real close to not getting the last lugnut loose with the tool that barely resembled a wrench with the spare. And with that, I am making myself a note to put a breaker bar, extension, and deep socket in both my cars!
10/28/08, 09:00 AM
#7
Cobra Member
10/29/08, 04:32 PM
#8
Legacy TMS Member
Lol, I have read about that happening to more than a few people. I have used mine a lot actually, swapping drags at the strip, or when I did the brakes at home. I have not bent mine yet. But I did get an expandable breaker bar, and a thinwall protective socket recently.
10/29/08, 06:26 PM
#10
Yes as a matter of fact last night I went to use it to take off all the wheels to polish the inner rim when I got to wheel # 3 it buckled its covered under warrenty but I told them playing stupid so if I get a flat in the mean time I have to call the FORD number because you didn't have an iron and I have to wait 3 days, I have a proper tool now !
10/29/08, 06:26 PM
#11
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Exact same thing happened to me. I went back to the dealership, told them that that is complete b.s. and made them give me a replacement. (I wanted it just so I still have all the original parts.) I use a solid ss breaker bar and tq wrench now. 
10/31/08, 09:36 AM
#12
V6 Member
Thread Starter
Yeah, I'm going to get a replacement, but I doubt that I'll use it for anything other than Emergencies. I am going to get something better to have in the car.
10/31/08, 05:35 PM
#16
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It's for emergency road side flat tire swaps only. Using it to rotate your tires at home is, well, silly.
Get a proper "4 way" lug nut wrench. They make removing and installing the nuts SO much easier and faster. Amazingly enough, that is exactly what they are made for...
As for stripping out your ratchet...
1) You used way too small of a ratchet and
2) you used WAY too cheap of a tool! Buy good tools and buy them once. Buy cheap tools and buy them for every project.
Every 3/8" drive ratchet in my house can take off the lug nuts without breaking. Of course, I almost always use the proper 4 way lug nut wrench instead...
Get a proper "4 way" lug nut wrench. They make removing and installing the nuts SO much easier and faster. Amazingly enough, that is exactly what they are made for...
As for stripping out your ratchet...
1) You used way too small of a ratchet and
2) you used WAY too cheap of a tool! Buy good tools and buy them once. Buy cheap tools and buy them for every project.
Every 3/8" drive ratchet in my house can take off the lug nuts without breaking. Of course, I almost always use the proper 4 way lug nut wrench instead...
10/31/08, 05:53 PM
#17
Legacy TMS Member
4 ways stink also if the nut is very tight. If your going to buy any thing buy a 1/2 breaker or ratchet that is 16" or longer or buy the tq wrench which is around 20" long.
