2003 Highlander Sheared Off Wheel Lock!!

MD Highlander Guy · #1 (**permalink**) 05-14-2008, 11:49 AM

Hello,

My girl took the '03 HL in to a local national tire chain retailer (no names mentioned) to have the tires rotated and the rocket scientist tire tech sheared off a wheel lock - destroyed my lock tool too - while putting the wheel back on with an air tool. Great. Is it really that much trouble to use a torque wrench?? Since I will now be replacing all of the wheel locks - and obviously the lock tool too - I would like to switch to a spline-type wheel lock set. Can anybody recommend a brand/set? OR, would anybody happen to know the wheel stud size/thread specs? Lastly, I believe the Toyota torque spec for the Highlander wheel mount studs is 76ft/lbs, correct?

Thanks in advance,
MD-HL-G

LifeTech · #2 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 11:56 AM

[quote=MD Highlander Guy;1015831]Hello,

My girl took the '03 HL in to a local national tire chain retailer (no names mentioned) to have the tires rotated and the rocket scientist tire tech sheared off a wheel lock - destroyed my lock tool too - while putting the wheel back on with an air tool. Great. Is it really that much trouble to use a torque wrench?? Since I will now be replacing all of the wheel locks - and obviously the lock tool too - I would like to switch to a spline-type wheel lock set. Can anybody recommend a brand/set? OR, would anybody happen to know the wheel stud size/thread specs? Lastly, I believe the Toyota torque spec for the Highlander wheel mount studs is 76ft/lbs, correct?

Thanks in advance,

>>>>>>>The OE Toyota Locks are manufactured by McGard Wheel Locks. These are the best locks around. And if yu send them in one of the locking Lugs they can replace it as well as the key. While yu are at it get a spare key.

What yu are looking for is probably manufactured by Gorilla Wheel lock Co.
I don't like splined locks however. Just my opinion.

But I have been using McGards for over twenty years on all my Alloy wheels. Yu can't blame the Lock and key for DAMAGE done by incompetent tire shops. I ONLY allow HAND installation of my lugs. Period.

I have been through your ordeal just once. I never let that happen again.

The tire shop had to pay me for the damaged lock and KEY as well as damaging my wheel!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, torque is 76ft/lbs.

I use my own torque wrench. And I always remove my own locks before driving in to the tire shop. I also inst they do not use the Impact gun for installation of the regular lugs. Or I will go elswhere. But my Tire shop is OK with this practice. They work on very expensive exotics etc.

McGard Lock instructions or any other brand locks SPECIFICALLY state [U]NOT to use impact guns for removal or installation!![/u]

Yes, I am very anal about this and am not bashful about telling any shop .

http://www.mcgard.com/automotive/

Good luck

LT

MD Highlander Guy · #3 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 10:29 AM

Hey LifeTech,

I picked up a new set of wheel locks from the dealer - had to use a 3/4" socket to hammer off 2 of the old wheel locks (only 2 little teeny dings, one in each wheel - still pissed about that) as the key had a broken piece of an old wheel lock in it and was not usable. Now the HL has all brand new wheel locks torqued to 76ft/lbs and a brand new key. Duplicate key to be ordered shortly.

As a continuation of a previous post, I did the rear brakes on the HL and replaced everything with Brembo rotors/ Akebono ceramic pads and rotated tires. Even easier than the fronts were! Aside from the broken wheel locks, of course. Caliper frame bolts (14mm socket) torqued torqued to 44ft/lbs > caliper pins (17mm socket) 25 ft/lbs > all lug nuts 76 ft/lbs. A torque wrench is a beautiful thing......

Good stuff!

LifeTech · #4 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 04:16 PM

Yu picked a nice set of rotors and pads. Am considering them for my fronts .

It's amazing that vehicles when built at the factory have all the fasteners torqued to spec, yet when yu ask a mechanic or tire shop to do it they squirm!!!
Even Dealers who get paid a Premium to do the right job will give yu a hard time when yu ask them to torque everthing.
And most will yes yu and just ignore your request. I have worked with Techs like this.

Beware a tech who does not own a Torque wrench! Many don't! If that's any clue.

LT

JRE56 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LifeTech

Yu picked a nice set of rotors and pads. Am considering them for my fronts .

It's amazing that vehicles when built at the factory have all the fasteners torqued to spec, yet when yu ask a mechanic or tire shop to do it they squirm!!!
Even Dealers who get paid a Premium to do the right job will give yu a hard time when yu ask them to torque everthing.
And most will yes yu and just ignore your request. I have worked with Techs like this.

Beware a tech who does not own a Torque wrench! Many don't! If that's any clue.

LT

LifeTech you got me to thinking, of my 52 yrs. on this earth I can't remember a mechanic using a torque wrench ever on any of my cars.

LifeTech · #6 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 04:35 PM

Yet when doing engine rebuilding or even working on race car platforms, If yu don't own a Torque wrench ...How good are yu in the first place? I have asked techs why don't yu use a T. wrench for Brakes with consistent rotor issues....most common reponse is..."I can feel the torque required when I use my ratchet or impact gun." I say that's impossible don't yu?

From my experience, parts that absolutely must be torqued are components that rotate(driveshafts and anything wheel related/suspension related. As well as any Torque Rated bolts and nuts located on engines or elswhere...

Every Toyota Service manual I've ever read over many years shows a chart to this regard..

I don't like to use Torque Sticks on an impact gun for wheels either.
Hand torque only with a click adjustable T. wrench . And Most torque wrenches should be stored at 10 ft pounds as applicable. Or it will go out of calibration. Never drop or toss it around like a ratchet. It is an instrument much more than it is a tool that will become innacurate.. And never, never use it as a breaker bar ratchet!

LT

LifeTech · #7 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008, 04:51 PM

Next time yu get an oil change if yu pay someone to do it....ask if they torqued your Oil filter. See what the repsonse will be. Should be around 13 ft pds. be frank and serious. Just see what the response will be.
They might look at yu funny....or down play the necessity...possibly. But do this to just get many different responses.

When yu get an honest comfortable answer yu pretty much know yu have a decent mechanic, tech ,shop , or dealer.

Yes, 99.9% do not use a torque wrench.
Beware anyone who says that the air impact gun or or air ratchet tools are correctly calibrated. No such animal. Stay away.

LT