I'm planning on switching wheels for track days and I'm trying to figure out what would be easiest. Should I pick up a metal torque wrench to do the lugs or go for an electric impact wrench I can charge and take with me to do it quickly. I want to be sure to torque them correctly, and I believe with an impact wrench I can set the maximum torque...

What do you guys think? Anyone that changes their own wheels from time to time or has once in the past, what do you use?

 

We use a Snap-on digital torque wrench at the track... don't want to risk over torquing or damaging the wheels with an impact wrench. Plus the torque spec for the lugs isn't very high, so if they were put on at the right spec before, they break loose pretty easy.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. If I'm not looking to spend too much, what do you think about something like this?

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...=torque+wrench



And if you know, what are the torque specs for lug nuts just so I make sure to buy something that's got enough torque. I have a sedan, but I'd assume the specs are about the same across the G35 board

 

You can use a beam torque wrench, but I wouldn't recommend it. If you can spend a little more, get a torque wrench that you can set and lock, like this one-
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...4595000P?mv=rr

or maybe this (never used a Harbor Freight torque wrench... $20, so not sure how the quality is)
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...Itemnumber=239

Also make sure whichever one you get is "ft. lbs", and not "in. lbs".

Tightening torque of wheel nut:
108 N·m (11 kg-m, 80 ft-lb)

 

Yeah, I was looking at that first Craftsmen but half of the reviews said the thing broke! And all broke the same way

Thanks for your help, maybe I'll try to find a lesser-name brand wrench sort of in the middle of the two. Does the size really matter since I'm only using it for one purpose? Should I go ahead and get a 1/2 inch?

 

Same here at our install bay in Indiana.