Alright - I'm getting around to doing my winter car overhaul and I think I'm going to claybar my wheels and polish/wax them with the rest of the car. Question: do I have to take them off the car to do it right or can you get in there good enough with them on? Also, I know there are torque specs for the bolts floating around - I know I can find them, but my question is how do you measure the torque? I've only got the regular tire iron - do you get one with a special gauge built in or can you just get a sort of gauge to put in line between the bolt and tire iron?

 

If you want to do it right, you are going to have to get a torque wrench. I have never seen an inline one because the length of the wrench has a direct effect on torque. If you get an inline gauge, there is no way for it to know the length of your wrench.

 

Ah - makes sense. I don't have much of a garage so I'm reluctant to buy too much more car crap... anyone know what they run?

 

Just go out and rent one for a couple hrs. Easy, simple and effective.

And just buy the socket, get one of the right size for your nuts. Get one used for impact guns they'll work, just make sure it is the right Drive size( 1/2" drive is most common in larger sizes, 3/8" if thats what fits)

 

My bro and I use a product called Wheel Wax. I forget who makes it. (Jar is in garage and too lazy to check right now.) Anyway its different than regular paint wax because of the higher temps the wheel deals with. It worked really well for me. And on the torque wrench thing I have never heard of an insert but you could just buy one or rent one like others have said. I look at projects like this as a chance to expand my tool collection. But yea, if you can find Wheel Wax go for it. Hope this stuff helps. Feel free to PM me or post up any new questions.

 

If you don't find the Wheel Wax, do not, I repeat, DO NOT use spray wax. You will never get the wax off of brake calipers and other various nooks/crannies.

Like tCb00b said, I also look at every project as a way to increase my tool collection.

 

I don't mean to be an ___ but it's ridiculous the amount of crap that gets spewed on this site. If you don't know what you're talking about please don't.

They do make inline torque shafts just for use with rims. They are generally designed for use with impact wrenches. Torque is the amount of rotational force generated. Where else are you going to measure other than the point of rotation. That's exactly what a torque wrench does.

Buying more tools is always a good thing in my opionion but you have to do it smartly if you are on a limited budget or space. If you have an impact wrench, I'd suggest the inline torque shafts for it because they are much faster and easier to use. If not, go with a torque wrench. It will have a lot more uses.

 

I would love to buy more crap - don't get me wrong. I just have to pick and choose the gear that I need and I just don't see myself taking off my wheels too often unless i move somewhere else, at which point I'm going to need to buy a bunch more stuff. Thanks for the advice and if it ever dries out up here, maybe I'll actually get to work on the car.

 

so does this wheel wax prevent dust from sticking on it