I keep seeing people torque lug nuts while the car is still jacked up. Why is this still a thing?

At my shop last Tuesday, this guy rolls in with a wobble at highway speed. I pull the wheel and three of the five studs are stretched. He tells me his buddy torqued them down while the tire was off the ground. I see this mistake at least once a month from DIYers and even some younger techs. On the one hand, it's way easier to get the torque wrench in there with the wheel hanging. On the other hand, the wheel isn't seated flat against the hub so the load is uneven and you strip studs or warp rotors. Am I the only one who thinks this should be basic knowledge by now? Or do some of you actually do it this way and get away with it?

2 comments

2 Comments

jake_walker16d ago

Read a tech article saying it throws the wheel bearings out of whack too.

olivia_webb16d agoMost Upvoted

Just ask that buddy if he also tightens his belt while his pants are still on the floor. I guess common sense isn't as common as the price of a torque wrench. At least he learned the hard way before the wheel flew off on the highway.