Re: Picking out a few tools. Your input welcome

earache@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:
As ski season winds down and autocross season starts up, I've been
thinking about learning how to rotate (swap) tires myself. Since
Sears is having a sale this week, and I don't have any of the
appropriate tools, I put 2+2 together and have started picking some
stuff out. If any of you all have a minute, you're welcome to chime
in on my selections or what I should get, since my experience in this
area is pretty limited.

Craftsman 2-1/4 ton floor jack, 29.99
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950524000P?keyword=floor+jack
I was actually looking at some of their more expensive jacks, but they
seem to get pretty mixed reviews until you step up to the $300 (279.99
on sale) Craftsman Professional aluminum model. That thing looks
sweet, but someone said this one works well enough so I figure I'll
buy in for $30 and see how I like working on the wheels.

I have used a similar one. Lots of pumping the handle for the height that it is being raised, and much more effort than a larger model, but they do work.
I think that the professional model takes 3 pumps, maybe two, to get the Miata raised. That is on my want/must-have list.

Central Machinery 3 ton jack stands with rubber pads
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38846
These seem good because they have a groove that might fit well over
the lip on the underside of the car, which I understand is a good
place to prop it up?

When I jack the car up for wheel swaps, I put a piece of wood underneath at the mirror point to distribute the load, then raise the whole side of the car up.
I stick one jack stand underneath the piece of wood to save the car in case the jack fails, then just swap them out.

I lower the car onto stands anytime I am underneath it, but this works fine since I am never in danger of it falling on me during tire swap.
Since the tires I have are always directional, I can only go front to rear and vice-versa anyway.

Will I need more than just one pair? I'm thinking two stands is
enough to prop up the left side, swap front & rear, then repeat with
the right side.

I have four stands, but have never used more than two on a Miata unless I was parting it out.

Craftsman Torque Wrench, 1/2 in. drive, 69.99
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00944595000P?keyword=torque+wrench
First of all, I want 1/2 in drive, right? The mixed reviews on
several of their affordable torque wrenches sort of concerns me.
Craftsman also makes a dedicated "Tire Torque Wrench" that gets better
reviews, but it's $140. Sorta hoping this one would be good enough
for tightening lug nuts.

That will work, the 1/2 inch will go over the 80 foot pounds that you need.
As far as quality, I have had a Craftsman torque wrench fall apart, but that was after many years of use and it remained accurate every time I tested it against a friend's wrench. Or at least, they were equally inaccurate. ;-)

I have heard that you should only use a torque wrench to tighten, not to loosen. Not sure how true this is but I have always followed it since torque wrenches are kind of pricey and I have the tools I need to remove the lugs.

Lug nut socket? Where should I get one, is it just a generic socket?
I have the OEM 16" wheels on a 2003 Shinsen edition.

There can be different sized lugs depending on the wheels that were used, but it should be a common size and any 1/2" socket that fits and is deep enough should work.
I would mention to be sure to get a quality socket, but you are already looking at Craftsman products.

I'm thinking I might also want a helper wrench or two, curious as to
what people like.

Gracias & ZZ
Eric

You won't need a helper wrench to torque them, plenty of leverage to hit 80 foot pounds from the long handle on the torque wrench.

A long-handled 1/2" socket driver is a wonderful thing when removing stubborn bolts, but your's are probably not too bad at 5 years old unless a gorilla mechanic has over-torqued them somewhere. :-)

Pat
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: suggestions to revitalize this news group?
    ... I still need to get tires, ... wheels and in this case, ... I thought you were proposing a permanent swap. ... It is one of those early turbo miatas that is worth a lot more in parts than it is as a working car. ...
    (rec.autos.makers.mazda.miata)
  • Re: 330xi 6 speed 2002 / 2003
    ... >> I am looking for something cheaper on fuel, a little more fun to drive, ... >> I would prefer a german built car, the last thing I want is more trouble ... > some real winter tires and you'll do just fine. ... Oh the joy of living in Southern California -- I never have to swap my tires ...
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  • Picking out a few tools. Your input welcome
    ... thinking about learning how to rotate tires myself. ... Sears is having a sale this week, and I don't have any of the ... on sale) Craftsman Professional aluminum model. ... Craftsman also makes a dedicated "Tire Torque Wrench" that gets better ...
    (rec.autos.makers.mazda.miata)
  • Re: Can rotating the tires extend their life by 20%?
    ... would still advise you to purchase a torque wrench and a deep-well ... re-torque the lugs after about 30-50 miles. ... So I reckon I'll go to DT and get the free rotations. ... I thought about getting good all-season tires, ...
    (rec.autos.makers.mazda.miata)
  • Re: Which torque wrench?
    ... For example I will be mounting rock sliders, ... Truth be told, if you don't mind the disadvantages of using one, a simple beam and pointer torque wrench is likely just as accurate if not more so than a clicker and a heck of a lot cheaper to purchase. ... rotating the tires is the only general maintenance use where I can think that a torque wrench is really of benefit. ... For reinstalling drain plugs, etc, a good pull on a standard length combination wrench or ratchet is close enough. ...
    (rec.autos.tech)