Wheel brace recommendations

slave1

My current car has perfect wheel nuts, but my current wheel brace is the old X style and well rusted so I don't want to ruin the new nuts.

Any recommendation please?

biko

Detailing -> main forum.

Instead of an X brace, use a telescopic wheel wrench, or breaker bar.
Breaker bars are good but easy to over-tighten so be careful.

FDave

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-633567-Torque-Wrench-28-210/dp/B000LFTSG6/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3RNKYYL0YGXXP&dchild=1&keywords=torque+wrench+1%2F2&qid=1594726091&sprefix=Torque%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-5

1/2 drive torque wrench with extensions. You can get the correct size socket in halfords for your wheel nuts. Torque them correctly and never use copper grease u wont need a breaker bar to remove them.

Del2005

slave1 wrote: »

My current car has perfect wheel nuts, but my current wheel brace is the old X style and well rusted so I don't want to ruin the new nuts.

Any recommendation please?

A bit of rust on the brace won't ruin your nuts, wrong sizes are the only way to damage nut. A rub of sandpaper or a wire brush will get it back in good shape easily, you can even paint it if you want.

punisher5112

Extended bar or better still a torque wrench....
I've a hilti impact driver, bloody brilliant.

kirving

Del2005 wrote: »

A bit of rust on the brace won't ruin your nuts, wrong sizes are the only way to damage nut. A rub of sandpaper or a wire brush will get it back in good shape easily, you can even paint it if you want.

Only thing I'd say on that is a very rusted wheel brace may be difficult to get on, and so people tend to use the next 1mm size increment up to make it fit, and then damage both.

Ford's which use a chrome cap and come with rubbish quality wheel brace are a particular pain for that.

Gumbo

I’m in the middle of looking for a torque wrench too.
Mainly for the wheels and ease of removal for cleaning or maintenance.

My car wheel nuts require 129 foot pounds of torque so I suppose that’s one requirement.

My main question is what to buy?
1/2 inch , 3/8 etc

Looking at this one - https://www.screwfix.ie/p/magnusson-torque-wrench-1-2-x-18/6879v

kirving

I'd tend to a prefer 1/2" version, just because I have more larger sockets in that size.

Yesterday I ordered the 1.5-15Nm version of this from Amazon for my bicycle. Aluminium frame bolts will be the death of me.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AmazonBasics-2-Inch-Heavy-Duty-Torque-Wrench/dp/B07SV45HRY?th=1&psc=1

I tend not to like buying tools online unless I've seen it in person or familiar with the brand, but I've used some other AmazonBasics stuff (not tools, just stuff like HDMI cables or phone chargers) in the past and I think their buying power means you get good value for money.

I'm not expecting anything professional level, but for something I'll only use half a dozen times a year, I can't justify spending 4X the price on a great quality one. For stuff I use weekly though, I'm a big believer of buying quality.

corks finest

biko wrote: »

Detailing -> main forum.

Instead of an X brace, use a telescopic wheel wrench, or breaker bar.
Breaker bars are good but easy to over-tighten so be careful.

Exactly what I was going to suggest,saves the back,Mick's garage sorted me AFAIK

slave1

Thanks all