javyLSU

iTrader: (21)

I got mine from Sears a couple of years back for about $75. Now you can get the same one WITH the case for about $10 cheaper!

Javier

smokyis350

iTrader: (21)

Wow, similiar thing happened to me. This is what happened, I got a reputable shop recommended from tire rack to mount my tires onto my wheels and onto my car. Seems like they over torqued it with their impact gun. Because I have a craftman torque wrench and I tried loosening it, my craftman torque wrench ended up snapping off. It is less than a year old too.

LexFather

I would talk to the shop and explain your situation but I would not expect them to replace or give anything. Small Claims court would be a total waste.

When it comes to my wheels/tires, I ensure I go to someone I know trust if its not the dealer. Many lil shops have no idea what indivudual brand specs are and don't care.

FOr extra precaution, check the lugs yourself with a nice torque wrench you can buy if you don't have one.

And the new LS 460.

IS350jet

Like Lobux said, the correct torque spec is 76lbs. 80 won't hurt, though. The lugs were obviously not hand torqued. The impact gun could be as tight as 150lbs. The bad news is, the factory Lexus locking lugs are made my Mcgard and the key that's supplied really sucks. Usually, anything over 100 lbs or so is going to strip the key so a new one won't be of much help. I would be polite and ask the shop to remove the locks (it may be difficult to do without damaging them) and buy you a new set. I'd go with something other than Mcgard, though, as they are the worst locking lugs I've ever seen. I loved my Gorilla lugs.

carlos

iTrader: (1)

You're not supposed to use a torque wrench to loosen the lugs.

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

I've lived in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York, over the last 30 years, and have NEVER had OEM wheels stolen. First thing I do after I've signed on the dotted line is to ask the kind salesman/woman for 4 lug nuts to replace the locking nuts the dealers put on the car to pad their profit (VW, Nissan, BMW, Lexus).

I did have my car broken into several times in the 1980's to relieve me of my aftermarket Alpine stereos but even that is no longer a major issue with the improvement in OEM stereo systems.

So, if I were you, I'd dump the locking lugnuts. But, if you're set on having them, I have a set I'll sell you for the IS for 1/2 the dealer price

cvex

I've been to many different tire shops and the only place that ever use a torque wrench was "discount tires" , they have a big window for customer to see the work being performed. I must say this place was very profesIonal, as I'm **** when it comes to people touching my car.

The old tradtional wheel balance is not effective on low profile tires. Get a road force dynamic balance. Any slight vibration will be eliminated. Worth the $14 a piece IMO.

smokyis350

iTrader: (21)

why not??????

llamaboiz

I never use my torque wrench *javiers link* to take off lugs, i have a 1/2 socket set that i use and if its over torqued i put a 1 1/2" 2foot lead pipe over it for xtra leverage... i torque my mcguard lugs to 76ftlb.

javyLSU

iTrader: (21)

^Because you risk damaging your torque wrench if the lug nuts are overtightened.

Javier

link13

Agreed. The only thing I would add is to not go back to that shop again after this is resolved. Toyotas and Lexuses (or is it Lex-i?) have been known to experience warped rotors as a consequence of overtorquing lug nuts. Those guys probably just used the air wrench and called it a day. Not so good.

Pnuge88

iTrader: (1)

they probably didnt use a torque stick with their air gun. lots of guys do this.. go back to the shop and complain

Lucien911

Okay so I'm calmed down a bit. Just a bit though. I just hate to have to go back for such a simple thing after getting tires installed, so I'm still up in the air about what to do. Not sure if I'm gonna go back there to complain this weekend, or if I'm just going to spend the little amount of money to put it past me. Each option has an equal amount of Pros and Cons. Part of me wants to go back there just to check these people 'cause that's just lazy work and it really bothers me. It wasn't just a hole-in-the-wall shop either... But then the other part of me doesn't feel like wasting my time over such little money. It's a classic issue of principle.

My lug nut isn't really messed up at all, but the lug key is stripped and trashed. Maybe they design it for that very reason.. Would suck worse to end up with a stripped lug nut because of similar hardness. But anyway, I need a key regardless so where do I buy it??

One thing's for sure... If I could install and balance the tires myself, I would definitely do it. Wish I had one of those machines!