[msej449]

I bought the BMW 140Nm preset torque wrench (part no 71 12 6 769 683 made by Hyco for BMW and a reasonable £29/$40 incl. P+P).



Not having used a preset torque wrench before, I asked my local BMW mechanic a couple of questions and he came back confirming

a) Yes, it 'clicks' at the 140Nm preset (like on an adjustable wrench)
b) Yes, you can use it as the sole tool for removing/refitting

This is in the context of being used just to occasionally remove and refit wheels, fitting a spare after a puncture, or a re-tighten after the usual summer/winter swap. It's not meant as a mechanic's regular workshop tool, where you'd normally have an adjustable torque wrench in your toolkit.

I lost a lug nut last year in rather odd circumstances where I couldn't exactly track down who had under-tightened the nut (it had a summer wheel-swap, then a service, then the annual statutory check, which picked up a nut was missing). So I wanted something where I could double-check as well.

Just thought that some owners might find it useful if like me, they're not mechanics but do want something to hand in the trunk that won't over-tighten the lug nuts. I'll give it a go when the car emerges next from being coddled in a nice warm garage, as we're seeing unseasonably cold weather here in the UK at the moment (this is relative, I know: -23ºC/-9.4ºF is probably just 'brisk' for some in N. America, albeit where I live, the low was a much more balmy -7ºC/19ºF).

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by msej449

I'll give it a go when the car emerges next from being coddled in a nice warm garage, as we're seeing unseasonably cold weather here in the UK at the moment (this is relative, I know: -23ºC/-9.4ºF is probably just 'brisk' for some in N. America, albeit where I live, the low was a much more balmy -7ºC/19ºF).

-35C with a wind chill of -45C here the night before last and we haven't seen any daytime temp above -20C for over a week now. No problem in getting around in the M240i, though. It is all relative, as "up north" (we are further south than London here in Calgary) they have had temps below -50C and wind chills in the -70C range, the coldest for quite a few years.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by msej449

I bought the BMW 140Nm preset torque wrench (part no 71 12 6 769 683 made by Hyco for BMW and a reasonable £29/$40 incl. P+P).

Not having used a preset torque wrench before, I asked my local BMW mechanic a couple of questions and he came back confirming

a) Yes, it 'clicks' at the 140Nm preset (like on an adjustable wrench)
b) Yes, you can use it as the sole tool for removing/refitting

This is in the context of being used just to occasionally remove and refit wheels, fitting a spare after a puncture, or a re-tighten after the usual summer/winter swap. It's not meant as a regular service tool, where you'd normally have an adjustable torque wrench in your toolkit.

I lost a lug nut last year in rather odd circumstances where I couldn't exactly track down who had under-tightened the nut (it had a summer wheel-swap, then a service, then an annual check, which picked up a nut was missing). So I wanted something where I could double-check as well.

I've been using the Hyco torque wrench for the past 30 months. It's more convenient to carry and use than is the Precision Instruments torque wrench I generally use.

As the Hyco's handle is a bit on the short side, I still use a breaker bar to break the lug nuts free when I'm doing seasonal wheel changes.

I got used to regularly checking lug nut torque at track events and now check them every month after doing regular fluid level checks.

I've had cars where a single nut would tend to loosen over time, but the M240i's nuts have always stayed where I've torqued them. That's using aftermarket studs and lug nuts, though; I have no idea how the bolts that came on the car behave as far as loosening over time goes.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by dradernh

I've had cars where a single nut would tend to loosen over time, but the M240i's nuts have always stayed where I've torqued them. That's using aftermarket studs and lug nuts, though; I have no idea how the bolts that came on the car behave as far as loosening over time goes.

Over several hundred wheels taken on and off on our BMWs over the past 20+ years, I've never had a wheel bolt loosen, but I always torque to spec and will recheck the torque if anyone else (such as the dealer) has had any reason to remove the wheels.

[elliswyatt]

I don’t know, I must be doing it wrong. I find that the angle of the handle results in lateral/downward pressure on the lug nut (when tightening) instead of rotational force.

[smchuck]

Originally Posted by elliswyatt

I don’t know, I must be doing it wrong. I find that the angle of the handle results in lateral/downward pressure on the lug nut (when tightening) instead of rotational force.

I have this wrench and hate it due to sloped angle between socket and bar. OK for emergency use but thats it for me.

[elliswyatt]

Originally Posted by smchuck

I have this wrench and hate it due to sloped angle between socket and bar. OK for emergency use but thats it for me.

Yeah, that’s exactly the issue that I have. It’s a nifty idea but it just doesn’t work for me.

[Rollo`]

Originally Posted by elliswyatt

Yeah, that’s exactly the issue that I have. It’s a nifty idea but it just doesn’t work for me.

I am so glad I am not the only one with this issue. It is very poorly designed or there is a trick to it I have completely failed to grasp.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by elliswyatt

I don’t know, I must be doing it wrong. I find that the angle of the handle results in lateral/downward pressure on the lug nut (when tightening) instead of rotational force.

Originally Posted by smchuck

I have this wrench and hate it due to sloped angle between socket and bar. OK for emergency use but thats it for me.

Originally Posted by Rollo`

I am so glad I am not the only one with this issue. It is very poorly designed or there is a trick to it I have completely failed to grasp.

Mine works for me when I use it only for the final application of torque to the nuts. After starting the nuts with 10-12 turns by hand, I use a pit gun to run them up to ~90 ft. lbs. Then it's just a quick lean onto the handle to get the click.

Also, keeping the handle close to parallel to the ground when applying pressure makes it pretty easy to get those last 10-15 ft. lbs. I'm old and weak, and if I don't do it that way I can't get the leverage I need.