Tip & How-To about Toyota Corolla
The wheel nuts hold the brake rotor to the hub.
If the rotor is distorted because the wheel nuts are too tight,the error is amplified because the rotor is much bigger around the outside edge where the brake pads are.
When the brakes get hot,the metal expands and further worsens the problem.
Overtightening the nuts especially on an uneven basis,can warp rotors very easily,or damage the aluminum wheels as well as the hub and bearings.
There are special torque sticks made for the 65 to 80 lb.ft.rating of most of the popular japanese cars.
There are also higher value bars for larger vehicles.
Most one ton diesel trucks are in the 145 to 165 lb.ft range.
Wheel nuts are tightened in a specific pattern as well,depending if they are 4,5 ,6,or 8 bolt design.
Most impact guns are 250 to 400 lb.ft of torque.Some are more than that.
Alot of technicians think that they are so good that they can torque the wheel nuts by "feel",without using a torque device or torque wrench.
The only reason they do not use torque sticks is to save some time.
In the long run they lose money though.
For the 30 seconds it takes per wheel,the incidence of doing free warranty work from warped rotors is reduced drastically.
Manufacturers have the torque specs for very good reasons.
Ask the shop that works on your car or truck if they use torque sticks,bars,or a torque wrench on the wheels.
If they do not,look for a different shop that does not take short cuts.
-Jack up the car
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