Change rims yourself? Use a torque wrench?

AddictedToBavarian · 09-16-2011, 05:28 PM

I have the BMW jack set and use the torque wrench set to 88 ft lbs, but when I recently swapped my rims they used a gun to tighten them. With the car on the ground should I loosen them 1 by 1 and tighten with the torque wrench? I don't know why no shops use torque wrenches.

lol

J02 335i · 09-16-2011, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddtully@

On a related note, how is everyone getting their car airborne ? Jack stands ?

I use these

Tee212 · 09-16-2011, 08:11 PM

Daaayumm! take your car to the shop every time you need to change wheels or airborn?? that sounds like alota work lol

arctic330i · 09-16-2011, 08:18 PM

I use this

Express · 09-16-2011, 08:19 PM

i use an al slim

J02 335i · 09-16-2011, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tee212

Daaayumm! take your car to the shop every time you need to change wheels or airborn?? that sounds like alota work lol

It's my shop and the best part is it's only 15 minutes from home.

Tee212 · 09-16-2011, 08:28 PM

!!! I can only dream of a shop

fdriller9 · 09-16-2011, 09:55 PM

I use a slim 3 ton racing jack. Great investment. Would love to have a lift like above when I have my own place.

Quasimodem · 09-16-2011, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *********

I use a slim 3 ton racing jack.

Have you entered it in any races?

yangrou8 · 09-17-2011, 04:36 AM

I have to admit I stopped using jack stands unless I'm getting underneath a car (which still scares the bejeezes outta me to this day).. I just jack up the car with a 3 ton jack and change the wheels. Does anybody over-torque their wheels a little? I've read that when youre screwing metal on metal, it invariably loosens a little bit. Is that loosening negligible?

Bimmer84 · 09-17-2011, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quasimodem

Have you entered it in any races?

LOL

I hand tighten and then drive down the street to a shop and they torque it for free... lol

GE · 09-17-2011, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyfoo

So I've been waiting 5 weeks for my rims, and will still be waiting until next month... difficult to wait so long!!

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone actually uses a torque wrench when putting on their rims. I've had rims on my previous 4 cars, and always just changed them myself without a torque wrench. What does everyone else do? Any problems if they are too tight? Obviously there would be problems if they are not tight enough.

thanks!

So if you're changing the rims, who is doing the mounting and balancing?

g_rant · 09-17-2011, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arctic330i

I use this

You're making me want to pull the trigger on an M3 bumper

J02 335i · 09-17-2011, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GE

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyfoo

So I've been waiting 5 weeks for my rims, and will still be waiting until next month... difficult to wait so long!!

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone actually uses a torque wrench when putting on their rims. I've had rims on my previous 4 cars, and always just changed them myself without a torque wrench. What does everyone else do? Any problems if they are too tight? Obviously there would be problems if they are not tight enough.

thanks!

So if you're changing the rims, who is doing the mounting and balancing?

He's changing rims (with the tires mounted) not tires.

ngng · 09-17-2011, 06:04 PM

ALWAYS, ALWAYS use a torque wrench and a jack stand. I've had my jack fail on me when before, thankfully I had a stand there. It's literally another few seconds to prevent something gnarly from happening.

Thread the nut/lug on a few threads by hand, then you can spin them on slowly using power or air tools. SLOWLY! Then, use your torque wrench to ensure everything to torqued down in a star pattern; I use 90ft/lbs.

With new wheels, the paint/powercoat wears away after driving, check your torque settings after a few days of driving.

I use a Precision Instruments wrench (http://www.torqwrench.com/tools/C.php), they were making the torque wrenchs for Snap On, but I don't know if they still are.

arctic330i · 09-17-2011, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g_rant

You're making me want to pull the trigger on an M3 bumper

Do it!! It is my favorite mod so far!

Coolieman1220 · 09-17-2011, 06:59 PM

i love using a torque wrench, that whole click click bit, so cool

sickem · 09-17-2011, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quasimodem

Have you entered it in any races?

ChasVS · 09-18-2011, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edirtaynine

i always use a torque wrench.

tirana · 09-18-2011, 06:59 PM

Saying you know the feel of 88lb-ft of torque is like saying you know the feel of 90 mph - no need for a speedometer. There is a reason for torque wrenches and they are used professionally except in crappy tire shops where all they care about is charging the maximum number of people in a day. A torque wrench is also a good reminder of the safety aspect of changing your wheels. For $50-75, it’s provides a lot of assurance. I use an extended head piece to clear the wheel arch with tape around the outside to protect the wheel finish. I screw the nuts on by hand with that and then use the wrench to torque it. I also use a wheel hanger rod to help align the wheel with the hub - especially if you use spacers.

Get a low profile racing jack. They cost around $120 and will save time.

http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Product....rodid=10347524 <-- Canada so cheaper in US

Booey1979 · 09-18-2011, 09:48 PM

Its a safety issue. IMHO a torque wrench is a must in any home mechanic's tool. Theyre under $30 and I use it to make sure I don't over torque bolts and strip them. On the wheels, its more of an issue of tightening them enough and not an issue of stripping the bolt since they are heavy metal, but still, use a torque wrench.

anerbe · 09-19-2011, 09:32 AM

torque wrench is a necessity. almost every nut/bolt on the car has a torque value to tighten properly.

09-16-2011, 05:28 PM	#23
AddictedToBavarian My other ride is a Bianchi Infinito 98 Rep 2,767 Posts Drives: Miss my E92 but love my E46 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (2)	I have the BMW jack set and use the torque wrench set to 88 ft lbs, but when I recently swapped my rims they used a gun to tighten them. With the car on the ground should I loosen them 1 by 1 and tighten with the torque wrench? I don't know why no shops use torque wrenches. lol
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09-16-2011, 08:11 PM	#25
Tee212 Banned 81 Rep 4,541 Posts Drives: yes Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Riverside iTrader: (9) Garage List 2010 335 [8.00]	Daaayumm! take your car to the shop every time you need to change wheels or airborn?? that sounds like alota work lol
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09-16-2011, 08:18 PM	#26
arctic330i Lieutenant Colonel 128 Rep 1,984 Posts Drives: F15 35i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Gainesville, Fl iTrader: (8) Garage List 2014 BMW X5 [0.00] 2006 BMW 330i E90 [8.08] 2013 BMW 335is [10.00]	I use this Attached Images __________________ See my full mod list in my garage
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09-16-2011, 08:19 PM	#27
Express Major General 380 Rep 8,688 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The Promise Land iTrader: (17) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i [8.30]	i use an al slim
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09-16-2011, 08:28 PM	#29
Tee212 Banned 81 Rep 4,541 Posts Drives: yes Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Riverside iTrader: (9) Garage List 2010 335 [8.00]	!!! I can only dream of a shop
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09-16-2011, 09:55 PM	#30
fdriller9 Banned 260 Rep 7,089 Posts Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [6.44]	I use a slim 3 ton racing jack. Great investment. Would love to have a lift like above when I have my own place.
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09-17-2011, 04:36 AM	#32
yangrou8 Modbug Assassin 3 Rep 33 Posts Drives: Jerez Black e92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (1)	I have to admit I stopped using jack stands unless I'm getting underneath a car (which still scares the bejeezes outta me to this day).. I just jack up the car with a 3 ton jack and change the wheels. Does anybody over-torque their wheels a little? I've read that when youre screwing metal on metal, it invariably loosens a little bit. Is that loosening negligible? __________________ Jerez Black e92 M3
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09-17-2011, 06:04 PM	#37
ngng Private 0 Rep 68 Posts Drives: Widebody S4, 335i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Cupertino, CA iTrader: (0)	ALWAYS, ALWAYS use a torque wrench and a jack stand. I've had my jack fail on me when before, thankfully I had a stand there. It's literally another few seconds to prevent something gnarly from happening. Thread the nut/lug on a few threads by hand, then you can spin them on slowly using power or air tools. SLOWLY! Then, use your torque wrench to ensure everything to torqued down in a star pattern; I use 90ft/lbs. With new wheels, the paint/powercoat wears away after driving, check your torque settings after a few days of driving. I use a Precision Instruments wrench (http://www.torqwrench.com/tools/C.php), they were making the torque wrenchs for Snap On, but I don't know if they still are. __________________ ACNA, BMWCCA, NASA, SCCA
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09-17-2011, 06:59 PM	#39
Coolieman1220 Banned 75 Rep 1,770 Posts Drives: 2010 335d Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York City iTrader: (0)	i love using a torque wrench, that whole click click bit, so cool
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09-18-2011, 06:59 PM	#42
tirana Lieutenant 15 Rep 575 Posts Drives: M2 6MT + F25 35i AT Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (2)	Saying you know the feel of 88lb-ft of torque is like saying you know the feel of 90 mph - no need for a speedometer. There is a reason for torque wrenches and they are used professionally except in crappy tire shops where all they care about is charging the maximum number of people in a day. A torque wrench is also a good reminder of the safety aspect of changing your wheels. For $50-75, it’s provides a lot of assurance. I use an extended head piece to clear the wheel arch with tape around the outside to protect the wheel finish. I screw the nuts on by hand with that and then use the wrench to torque it. I also use a wheel hanger rod to help align the wheel with the hub - especially if you use spacers. Get a low profile racing jack. They cost around $120 and will save time. http://www.costco.ca/Browse/Product....rodid=10347524 <-- Canada so cheaper in US
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-18-2011, 09:48 PM	#43
Booey1979 Private First Class 6 Rep 126 Posts Drives: 2010 128i m-sport BBK 2piece Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ventura, Ca iTrader: (0)	Its a safety issue. IMHO a torque wrench is a must in any home mechanic's tool. Theyre under $30 and I use it to make sure I don't over torque bolts and strip them. On the wheels, its more of an issue of tightening them enough and not an issue of stripping the bolt since they are heavy metal, but still, use a torque wrench.
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09-19-2011, 09:32 AM	#44
anerbe Lieutenant Colonel 124 Rep 1,567 Posts Drives: Red E90M 6MT Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: BH, MI iTrader: (2)	torque wrench is a necessity. almost every nut/bolt on the car has a torque value to tighten properly.
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