Safety Tech Tips - Wheel Torque

[Jimbeau]

Nick,

I hear what you're saying but what if the anti-seize compound reduces the friction coefficient to the point where an additional 10 pounds is needed?  What if it's 20?  It's probably not, but the point is you don't know and crossing your fingers is probably OK for normal driving, but what we're doing isn't normal and it's not just your safety that we're concerned about.  This is a situation where the risk probably doesn't out-weigh the questionable benefit.

I torque my lugs at 100lbs and have never had a problem breaking them loose even when hot.  I would suggest a 1/2 inch breaker bar and a little patience over anti-sieze compound.  DeWalt, Craftsman and others also have affordable 18v 1/2" cordless impact drivers that make easy work of removing lug nuts. 

I just got the DeWalt as a 25th Anniversary present.  "25 years is the "DeWalt Anniversary" guys in case you didn't know."

Jim