Guess I'm a wimp as I was unable to take off the lugnuts tonight using the sorry oem wrench lol....100 ft pounds must be too much..I gave up as it looked like the wrench was going to bend!


I've never had to use anything but brute force before to change a tire so I imagine there is an easier way


Advice?



Goose

 

an extension? a longer bar will create more torque and make it easier to turn. I've managed to take lug nuts off a car that were put on with an impact wrench by jumping on the bar...probably not the best/safest way, but it worked.

 

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/general-hhr-4/cleaning-drums-brush-14532/ posted there when you asked also.

 

Who put the lugs on that tight in the first place? No wonder you're having rotor problems.

 

Obviously you have not read the owners manual that came with the HHR. I just looked in mine on page 5-87 under capacities and specifications and it clearly states Wheel Nut Torque is 100 lb ft.

 

Possible invest in a tire star wrench ( its made like a " X ") with different size lugs on each end, this with give you leverage on two sides.

1/2 drive breaker bar with an extension.. also works..

 

Actually Deb, yes, I have read the manual, and I've NEVER had a problem breaking the lugs loose with the wrench included with the car. I think I also hold the record for flats on the board, so if anyone knows about throwing the donut on this car on the side of the road, it's ME

I think whoever is doing your rotations is over-torquing the lugs, Goose. 100 ft-lbs. should be easily broken with that wrench. I've had to do it many times. Are you extending the handle on the wrench too?

 

If lugs are ever on to tight for me i use my hydraulic jack handle on a ratchet works perfect to break em loose.

 

Hahaaa, my dad used to do this when I was a kid Its works though, damn good too!!!

 

They must have much more than 100 ft-pound if you can't break 'em loose with the wimpy oem wrench. I routinely set mine to 90 and you'd be surprised at how little force is required to undo them. I do use a X bar, but it's mostly for the extra control that you get using both arms. I had to remove a wheel yesterday (changed a sway bar link) that was torqued to 90 3 weeks ago, and I could have used my regular rachet (10" handle) to remove the nuts.

Yves