I'm about to put new alloy wheels and thin spacers on my Gen 3. Ordered a 17mm lug wrench from Amazon.

But then I checked to see what the torque rating is for the bolts, (either 101 or 103 ft/lbs, depending on who you believe) and an obvious question hit me:

Supposedly getting the torque right is pretty important, esp with thin spacers. So, what good is a lug wrench?
I have a torque wrench with the proper range. Shouldn't I just get a thin walled 17mm socket, and maybe some pipe to extend the handle?

Keep the lug wrench in the car for emergencies? Wait, I don't have a spare tire anyway .....

 

I have the protecta socket so i dont damage the wheels, then attach it to your wrench. Small ones work for the wrench. Like 12-16" handles. You can put your weight on it to tighten.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben...eces/pps-1721/

Then get a good small inflator and a tire plug kit and that's what i used to drive across the USA with no spare.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/inflator/

I have one similair to this : https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/71106898019/

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-camel-pa...it/15-162~cml/

 

Great ideas, thanks.

I already have the M18 inflator. Agreed, it's the best. I also highly recommend the LockNFlate adapter to go with it.


One question: What drive are those protecta sockets? 3/4" or 3/8" ?

 

Really, get one of those protecta sockets and a Harbor Freight breaker bar to throw in the trunk, along with a tire mobility kit. For most flats, a mobility kit is all that is needed to get moving again. "IF" you ever need to remove a wheel on the side of the road, a longer breaker bar will be able to remove any lug bolt. When reinstalling, just choke up on the handle to prevent over-torque Then, when back to safe location, you can use a torque wrench to tighten things back to spec.

 

Glad to help. When i drive long distances across the USA I even make a kit and then transfer into the car I drive. I had to plug a tire while in Miami in a parking lot the day before I left for a cruise. I am glad i had the kit, saved me as the car i had, had no spare. Just a small donut which was covered by a bunch of luggage. Did not have to move anything and was fixed it 10 mins work and inflate.

A good pair of pliers help also to pull out nails and screws. Small side cutters to trim the plug off. Water pump pliers let you pivot out long screws, rocking it back on the head. https://www.ecstuning.com/b-knipex-p...s/8701250~knp/


They are 1/2" drive.

 

Thanks, but again:

What drive size are those protecta sockets? your website doesn't say.

 

These?
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben...eces/pps-1721/

They are typically 1/2" drive.

 

They are 1/2" drive.

 

Totally get what you’re saying. I went through the same thing when I added spacers to my Gen 3. Honestly, I use a torque wrench with a thin-walled 17mm socket at home — way more accurate, especially with spacers involved. The lug wrench I keep in the trunk is really just for roadside emergencies. No spare here either, but I figure it’s better than nothing if I ever need to take a wheel off. For regular maintenance, torque wrench all the way!