stangxs

blah, I was taking my front wheels off to put on some spacers, and one lug was on so tight, after putting on gloves, I tried pulling with all force, I thought I nudged it, but ended up bending the lug wrench

I also have the 4 sided wrench, but the Mercedes lugs are too small for it, any wrench suggestions to make my life easier??

Yuille36

I recommend that you get yourself a extendable Gorilla Wrench. Lug Bolts aren't and issue anymore with this baby.

http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/...&brand=Gorilla

_AMG_

Use a torque wrench with a extended 17mm socket.

stangxs

Cool, thanks guys!

stangxs

If I remember correctly, I saw you mention you were a Mercedes tech in the past?

Question; I ordered extended bolts, for the spacers, they're "tapered" and not ball, what's the difference? Will I be fine?

http://www.ichibausa.com/ProductDeta...ode=ST-145401B

Thanks man!

AMGC60-3

+1 on that.

noodleman

i believe the OEM wheels use ball seats instead of tapered. You may not be able to secure the wheels correctly if you use the wrong seats.

Even Money

Don't use the wrong seats on the lug bolts.

stangxs

Cool, thanks for the info guys! Ordered the ball seats.

gthal

I was told NOT to use a torque wrench to remove wheels... ONLY to install them. The logic was you could damage the calibration of the wrench removing lug bolts.

Also to the OP... I would expect the bolt was WAY over torqued if you had such trouble removing it. I would be careful to not over torque them on re-install.

Illusive

Use a torque wrench only to set your lugs at a certain torque. Wouldn't recommend using it to remove them. Ball seats are normally found on OEM wheels while tapered seats are found mainly on aftermarket wheels. Like others have said, make sure you get the right set for your wheels. Get a 17mm deep socket and a breaker bar (got one at my local shop for $5) and you won't have any issues removing those bolts. Just make sure you get your jack set up and raise the car until the tire is just touching the ground and then loosen up the bolts. Once loose, raise it up and remove.

noodleman

+1

I use a breaker bar to remove the lugs and do the final tightening with the torque wrench.

EkS

While technically you CAN use a torque wrench, it's not the best tool to use when removing your lug bolts. If you torque wrench is capable of handling the CCW torque without going over the range of the wrench, no damage will occur.

Even Money

FYI, when you use the same length bolts that are conical seat vice the OEM that are ball seat, you will lose about 3 or 4 turns on seating the bolts which increases the chance of ripping them out, not to mention the uneven load bearing when the bolt isn't seated flush. Also expect when running slicks that tech will require the use of wheel studs/nuts to visually ensure the bolts are properly seated.

_AMG_

That's true, forget to mention that.
Impact guns or regular socket wrench's would be appropriate for removing lug bolts.

EkS

A torque wrench will NOT loose its calibration if used in the CCW direction.

Guess who the Snap On/Matco guy recommended when one of his customer's torque wrench needed calibration?

Either way...torque wrench not the best tool to remove your lug bolts.

I am Jeff

I'm glad I'm not the only one that bent the factory lug wrench. I immediately went online and bought myself a Cordless Impact wrench and a set of Ingersoll Rand impact socket set. My wife looked at me like I was retarded. She said it's overkill for a bent lug wrench.

noodleman

while true, the breaker bar is a $10 insurance that you won't damage the torque wrench.

rory breaker

Using a torque wrench for loosening makes no sense.

Get your lug wrench or a ratchet, slide a long pipe over the arm, make sure it's on the bolt tight and you're good to go with 1/10th the effort.

Raygt3

Breaker bar, impact socket and a 24" piece of pipe that fits over the breaker bar. If that doesn't work get a longer piece of pipe. This will either losten the nagging bolt or break it off. Never had one break but with considerable effort you possibly could break one. Take a little care and this will save your back from some sleepless nights. Good luck

AMGC60-3

A breaker bar to loosen is the way to go.

_AMG_

Lol, its always nice to have the appropriate tools.
Ingersoll Rand makes great quality stuff.