I found the stock wrench to be pretty poor. So I bought a longish
(18"?) breaker bar, 1/2" drive and a 19 mm socket. Its dedicated to
wheel duty and kept in van.

When I can, I use torque wrench to tighten, but on the road I don't.
Some practice with torque wrench gives you an idea of how the proper
toque value feels. I can't recall exactly the torque values off
hand , but is around 115 ft/lbs for steel wheels. It may be different
for alloys.

Oh, another thing, the long breaker does allow you to stand
(carefully) on wrench to remove stubborn bolts, and I can almost
guarantee you will have to so that on occasion.

alistair

On 20-Jun-10, at 10:03 AM, mcneely4@cox.net wrote:

Thanks Alistair.  Now another question.  I've never actually removed
a tire and wheel from the van myself.  I have, under the rear seat
with the jack, an old fashioned four armed lug nut wrench.  One
socket on the wrench fits the lug nuts.  But, should I have instead a
breaker bar?  And should I use a torque wrench to refit the lugs?
What torque value?  thanks, DMc