Removing wheels for cleaning

rashenup · 08-07-03, 01:41

Last week I picked up a used Audi S4, and one of the things this car has done is to take all of my free time. It's made me go from someone who takes car of thier car to going down that road of being a nut about it =] Certianly no regrets here.

Anyways, I'm now moving on to cleaning up my wheels. They are in decent condition, but you can see all of the brake dust that has accumulated over the past couple of years on the inside of the wheel. What I'd like to do is to take the wheels completly off (as I've seen suggested here before) so that I can give them the nice deep clean that they deserve, and then top it off with some polish. Most likely some #20.

I don't have a torque wrench at home or air compressor, so would it be safe to take them off by hand (not a big deal), and then to put them back on. I'm want to make sure that I'm able to get the wheels back on tight enough so that I don't have a wheel loose when I'm driving. What do y'all think? Are there any suggestions for the whole process of removing and putting the wheels back on??

larry_bar56 · 08-07-03, 02:03

Well, if you are planning on doing any work at all on the car, then you should invest in a torque wrench. It doesn't have to be a $400 Snap-On it can be an inexpensive one that you can find locally or look on e-bay. I picked up a set (1/2" and 3/8" drive) for less than $30 and they work great (chances are you'll need both anyway). I have checked them against a friend's Snap-On and they are well calibrated.

Second suggestion, get some Wheel Wax. I got mine at autogeek.net. I just tried it out last night and I really like the way it goes on. It wipes off easily and leaves a beautiful shine. Most users, I believe, have positive comments on it's protection and durability too.

wilbanks · 08-07-03, 02:10

Congrats on your new car! Although I use a torque wrench now I put wheels on for years by "feel" and never had a problem. When the wheels are off check for rust on the lugs and clean it off with a wire brush if there is any. While the wheels are off you may want to go over the brake calipers with some brake cleaner and/or a strong cleaner like EF Hi Intensity.
BTW blowing off wheels and brakes with compressed air is not a good idea since some brake pads contain asbestos. You don't want to breathe that stuff.
Finally tighten the lug nuts with a fairly long 1/2" drive rachet or breaker bar. Your car manual should tell you the torque for the lug nuts. Most wheels should be torqued between 80 and 100 ft-lbs. You can get a Craftsman torque wrench for as little as $25, but you don't absolutely need it. I am a bit of a nut about torquing bolts myself. I even torque the oil pan drain plug.
Hope this helps.

wilbanks · 08-07-03, 02:27

Larry_Bar56 had some good thoughts I forgot. First try ebay, but remember if you get an old torque wrench you have to check it. An out of calibration wrench is worse than no wrench.
I use wheel wax and find it works great. It seems to have a lot of cleaner in it and takes off dirt other stuff doesn't. Another avenue I have taken is to put Klasse AIO and SG on the wheels. It is quite durable and makes cleaning wheels a breeze. You will often be able to get by with cleaning the wheels with regular car wash. I am a believer in using the least aggressive cleaner that will do the job. Super strong wheel cleaners used regularly will eventually corrode your wheels.

larry_bar56 · 08-07-03, 02:36

Well, if there is anything that should be torqued, it's the oil pan drain plug!

You don't want the screw that one up....literally!

OutlawTitan · 08-07-03, 02:37

2nd the Klasse twins for wheels. Looks great, cleans up easily and this is one place where durability counts a ton.

rashenup · 08-07-03, 02:41

Thanks for the input. I guess I was just thinking that any tourque wrench would be big $$$. No real reason for it, just seems like it's a fancy tool that should cost a lot. So I guess I'll be making a run out to the autoparts store/ sears/ someplace this weekend to see what I can find.
But 80 - 100 ft-lbs. That doesn't seems like so much. I'm guessing that'll be just about as tight as I can get it by hand. So now I'll just have to see if I can be patient and wait for the weekend or if I just go ahead and clean the wheels up tonite.... such decisions.

The Wheel Wax sounds good too. I was going to order some stuff anyways, so I guess that will get thrown on the order =]

Lost Pup · 08-07-03, 04:41

Don't forget to detail the calipers - paint - while your at it.

LouisanaJeeper · 08-07-03, 04:43

Removing the wheels is not a big deal, one of the most basic things you can do. Just make sure you support the vehicle properly. Jack up in location on the uniframe specified in maual. Then the most importantly, SUPPORT THE VEHICLE WITH JACK STANDS, DO NOT TRUST A JACK TO SUPPORT THE CAR.

80-100 ft lbs is pretty tight, but it is not a problem with a torque wrench that is 16"+. Also, I would get a 1/2" drive one and buy a 1/2" to 3/8" adapter so you can use both socket sizes on the same wrench. You can find a decent one for $30.

larry_bar56 · 08-07-03, 05:13

You'd be surprised how little effort it takes to torque your lugs to 80 ft lbs with a 1/2" drive wrench. If you just used a breaker bar and put some muscle into it you would likely be way over spec.

Try sending some e-mail to Ed at this address:
Shoplakeland@aol.com

I bought my set of 2 torque wrenchs from him on e-bay and then he sold me another set for friend. If he still has them, he should be willing to sell them for about $30. That includes shipping!

JB in Irvine · 08-07-03, 05:40

I wouldn't take the wheels off to clean them, unless its virtually impossible to clean them while on.....meaning the design is such that it makes access very hard.

With the right cleaners, sponges and brushes you should be able to clean them up, inisde and out pretty good. I clean my Boxster wheels inside and out everytime I wash the car.

The reason I don't recommend taking the wheels off, is because of the risk of scratching them. When I took my fronts off, I took all the care in the world, had plastic coated sockets etc, and still scratched a rim.

Once its scratched, you have a problem. Sure they can be repaired, but the ones I have seen, look like they have been repaired.

I do concours events...so having things perfect is not desirable..its mandatory. Dirt I can remove from almost any where....wheel scratches...thats another issue.

Just my $0.02.

rek · 08-07-03, 06:03

rashenup, Good idea to use a torque wrench, especially on wheels. If you don't tighten them evenly, you run the risk of warping the rotors. Cleaning the wheel studs is a good idea, but resist the urge to put oil, or anything, on them. If you put anything on the studs, it will affect the torque value.