Is tire rotation really necessary on Prius?

I know about Sears warranted for life, but my luck it would break when I've got a tire off. I will probably go with the one you recommend; no telling what/how the ones that broke were used. I will not apply more pressure than needed; not only am I lazy, but a 110 # female.

Are these sold only at Sears or might Walmart have it? There is a walmart about 10 miles or I'll order on line from Sears.

 

I don't shop at Walmart so I don't know whether they carry Sears tools or not.

I suggest that you also purchase a 4" extension for 1/2" ratchet wrenches, and a 13/16" six-point deep socket intended for 1/2" wrenches. The socket is SAE size (not metric) but it will work well with the Prius lug nuts. Usually large SAE sockets cost less than the comparable metric sockets.

When buying sockets, you have a choice of six point vs. 12 point. The reason for six point is that the socket is stronger and has less opportunity to slip when high torque is applied. The reason for 12 point is that this can be easier to use in tight confines. For the purpose of removing wheel lug nuts, six point is best.

You also have a choice of deep socket length or regular socket length. For this purpose you want a deep length.

The reason to have the 4" extension is so that your wrench has no chance to bump up against the body of the car while in use.

I think you will be pleased with the torque wrench. It will magnify your ability to remove tight lug nuts because you can apply force gradually. The wrench is nice and long and heavy, so you can also use it as a club if you should need a weapon...you may find it convenient to store it in your car at all times...

 

Thanks! I've double checked all you said and have written it down.

I will feel safer with a weapon available!

 

Be careful on the lifetime warranty on Craftsman tools!

Some of them do have a lifetime warranty, but torque wrenches only have a 90 day warranty now. I learned this through experience when I had a old, but lightly used Craftsman torque wrench and I accidently turned the handle too far to reduce tension on the spring. The handle came apart which of course put it out of calibration.

When I took it back to Sears, I was informed that it was out of warranty (although I recall it having a lifetime warranty when I purchased it in the mid 80's). 90 day warranty. The only recourse was to send it in to Sears service to have it repaired and recalibrated: $75 minimum. I did not send it in.

I bought a Husky brand torque wrench from Home Depot for about $55 to replace it. About the same quality, I wouldn't be surprised if it were made by the same company as the Craftsman.

Also look at Kobalt tools sold at Lowe's. My most recent torque wrench (3/8 dr, 10 - 100 ft lbs) came from Lowe's.

Walmart also sells a cheap 1/2dr torque wrench for about $20. I'm sure it would be adequate; Harbor Freight tools also has cheap torque wrenches.

 

There is a Home Depot and Lowe's here.

Walmart? Perhaps I should stay away from cheaply made?

Enjoyed your dog pics. Too bad you don't like dogs.

 

Tools are like anything else: You usually get what you pay for. The Walmart torque wrench will probably work, but may go out of calibration sooner and its not quite as nicely made as a more expensive tool. You could also go the other way and get an professional grade tool from Snap On or Mac, but pay a lot more for it.

If you are planning on rotating the tires yourself, then I think a good quality torque wrench is a good investment. The ones sold at Sears, Home Depot and Lowe's for about $50 to $75 all seem to be reasonable quality tools. It should last for many years with proper care.

 

Uh, think I'll stick with Sears, Home Depot or Lowe's. Thanks for all the info!

 

Hi Jason,

You are right: I looked at the very fine print on the packaging for my two torque wrenches, and the torque wrench warranty is 1 year for workmanship and 90 days for calibration.

You should be happy with the tools that you can purchase at any of the above three sources.

When buying the 4" extension and the socket, I recommend that you seek out tools that offer a "lifetime" warranty. There is a big difference in quality. I've broken a few cheap sockets in my earlier days, and now make it a point to buy only Craftsman sockets (or else from Lowes if I am in a rush - Lowes is 5 miles from my home while the closest Sears is around 10 miles away.) You can cause yourself or the car some damage if a socket or an extension breaks under pressure.

I predict that your acquisition of the 1/2" torque wrench may become the start of a new, fulfilling, and money-saving hobby: today tire rotations; tomorrow transaxle fluid changes, iridium spark plug replacements, who knows what?

 

It can be a sickness. :madgrin:

I now have 4 torque wrenches:

I have a Craftsman beam type 1/2 drive. The beam type is not as easy to use as the click type, but it is useful for setting the preload on wheel bearings on my trailer, so I have to keep it.

I have a Husky click type 1/2 dr 20-175? ft lbs, used to torque wheel nuts and other large fasteners.

I have a Kobalt click type 3/8 dr 10 - 120? ft lbs, used for spark plugs and other smaller fasteners under the hood. I bought it when I had to replace the head on the Toyota truck we used to have.

I have a Craftsman click type 3/8 dr 50? - 150? in lbs used for very low tightening forces like the transmission pan bolts on my Ford Explorer.

I also have a large tool box.

 

Hi Jason,

Your Craftsman wrench must be fairly old? The current 3/8" model is 25 - 250 in.-lbs, which I bought last year. I use this for spark plugs, transmission pan bolts, and when removing/replacing the Prius cowl...
Craftsman Microtork® Torque Wrench, 25-250 in. lbs., 3/8 in. Drive - Model 44593 at Sears.com

 

Thanks, Patrick!

I don't know about getting carried away! Last night, my 66 years caught up with me and I didn't even want to put on the mud flaps. Uh, maybe it was my glass of wine. But this morning, feel I'm up for it.

You and dogfriend rock! Realllllllly appreciate you input!!!!!!!!

 

Its at least 5 or 6 years old. I may have the range incorrect; I was trying to remember the range but didn't go out to the toolbox to check it.

In ranking the torque wrenches from useful to not useful:

1/2 dr Click type - I use all the time on wheel nuts, also used for brakes and other suspension stuff.

3/8 dr Click type in ft- lbs - used for stuff like spark plugs, other engine fasteners, where the 1/2 dr is too high in range and too unwieldy under the hood

3/8 dr Click type in in- lbs- only used where the range is too high with the other wrenches, it is kind of a pain to use on other stuff because you usually have to convert from ft lbs given in the shop manual and the range does not go high enough. Also, this Craftsman wrench does not have a positive stop on the adjustment ring - the Husky and Kobalt will lock into each setting, but the Craftsman doesn't.

The beam type wrench is the least convenient to use - you have to position yourself to read the pointer while tightening and there is no feedback other than the dial reading to verify the torque. I only use it for wheel bearings where a click type won't work because you need to apply the torque and turn the wheel at the same time.

 

Lowe's and Home Depot did not have torque wrench, so will have to go to Sears about 28 miles, but I have a Prius. The local auto store had one for $20.47 (Ampro). He said it was a click type, but didn't see it with a quick look. They didn't have the 13/16 6 point deep socket. So I'll go to Sears. Didn't have the 4" extension, but had a 6" in a set of 4.

 

Thanks for the update; Sears should have everything you need.

I would not buy a click torque wrench for $20. You previously expressed concern about the wrench breaking at the time when you most need it. That is almost guaranteed to happen with such a cheap one.

I'm surprised the auto parts store did not carry the 13/16" socket since that is a common size used for auto wheel lugs and also larger-size spark plugs.

 

Seriously you feel the need to carry a weapon in your car? And you call it the land of the free?

I'd move.

 

We are free to carry weapons.

I'd like to move to NZ, but I don't think they will let us stay.

 

Thanks Patrick! Just the price alone, I figured it wasn't worth it. I went to Walmart, but did not even check their's out.

I've never had a problem, but you never know. Better to be safe than sorry. Last night something knocked over some flower pots and dug around. Wish I had it! Or perhaps you could send one of your ostrich? :boink:

 

a bit off-topic: what's the torque spec for the Prius lug nuts? non-touring if that matters

 

76 ft lbs or 103 N m.

 

Ostrich? Not native to Australia.
Sorry this is off topic.

Hey did you know due to skill shortages Australia and most likely New Zealand as looking for skilled migrants in lots of fields.