I'm active on an auto forum and a question came up about changing spark plugs. On some engines today it is a bit complex but this guy had a solution.
Part of first comment:
Can I just do this myself? I've replaced plugs in other vehicles and
it's always been a simple procedure. I might have to buy a torque wrench
at Lowe's and then return it, but I have all the other needed tools.
I mentioned ethics in returning the tool. His reply:
Not sure why ethics is involved? Using a torque wrench on spark plugs
doesn't cause any wear and tear. Lowe's can easily sell it as new after
being returned.
I'm active on an auto forum and a question came up about changing spark plugs.-a On some engines today it is a bit complex but this guy had a solution.
Part of first comment:
Can I just do this myself? I've replaced plugs in other vehicles and
it's always been a simple procedure. I might have to buy a torque wrench
at Lowe's and then return it, but I have all the other needed tools.
I mentioned ethics in returning the tool.-a His reply:
Not sure why ethics is involved? Using a torque wrench on spark plugs doesn't cause any wear and tear. Lowe's can easily sell it as new after being returned.
On 9/22/2026 10:20 AM, Ed P wrote:
I'm active on an auto forum and a question came up about changing spark
plugs.a On some engines today it is a bit complex but this guy had a
solution.
Part of first comment:
Can I just do this myself? I've replaced plugs in other vehicles and
it's always been a simple procedure. I might have to buy a torque wrench
at Lowe's and then return it, but I have all the other needed tools.
I mentioned ethics in returning the tool.a His reply:
Not sure why ethics is involved? Using a torque wrench on spark plugs
doesn't cause any wear and tear. Lowe's can easily sell it as new after
being returned.
Torque wrenches are one of the common tools in auto parts dealers
"loaners" program.
I'm active on an auto forum and a question came up about changing spark >plugs. On some engines today it is a bit complex but this guy had a >solution.
Part of first comment:
Can I just do this myself? I've replaced plugs in other vehicles and
it's always been a simple procedure. I might have to buy a torque wrench
at Lowe's and then return it, but I have all the other needed tools.
I mentioned ethics in returning the tool. His reply:
Not sure why ethics is involved? Using a torque wrench on spark plugs >doesn't cause any wear and tear. Lowe's can easily sell it as new after >being returned.
Torque wrenches are one of the common tools in auto parts dealers
"loaners" program.
Really ! I've never heard of such a "loaner" service..
On Tue, 22 Sep 2026 13:20:37 -0400, Ed P wrote:
I'm active on an auto forum and a question came up about changing spark
plugs. On some engines today it is a bit complex but this guy had a
solution.
Part of first comment:
Can I just do this myself? I've replaced plugs in other vehicles and
it's always been a simple procedure. I might have to buy a torque wrench
at Lowe's and then return it, but I have all the other needed tools.
I mentioned ethics in returning the tool. His reply:
Not sure why ethics is involved? Using a torque wrench on spark plugs
doesn't cause any wear and tear. Lowe's can easily sell it as new after
being returned.
Back in their heyday Montgomery Ward would replace defective PowerKraft tools. Would it be ethical to return a stripped out 1/2 drive ratchet for replacement knowing that there was a 6' piece of 1" pipe involved?
On 9/22/2026 10:20 AM, Ed P wrote:
I mentioned ethics in returning the tool.-a His reply:
Not sure why ethics is involved? Using a torque wrench on spark plugs
doesn't cause any wear and tear. Lowe's can easily sell it as new
after being returned.
Torque wrenches are one of the common tools in auto parts dealers
"loaners" program.
On Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:23:28 -0700, RIW <rightiswrong@not.invalid>Wait for Canadian Tire to put theirs on sale - Better than the junky
wrote:
On 9/22/2026 10:20 AM, Ed P wrote:
I'm active on an auto forum and a question came up about changing spark >>> plugs.a On some engines today it is a bit complex but this guy had a
solution.
Part of first comment:
Can I just do this myself? I've replaced plugs in other vehicles and
it's always been a simple procedure. I might have to buy a torque wrench >>> at Lowe's and then return it, but I have all the other needed tools.
I mentioned ethics in returning the tool.a His reply:
Not sure why ethics is involved? Using a torque wrench on spark plugs
doesn't cause any wear and tear. Lowe's can easily sell it as new after >>> being returned.
Torque wrenches are one of the common tools in auto parts dealers >>"loaners" program.
Really ! I've never heard of such a "loaner" service..
I _hate_ returning things in general - but my first torque
wrench from Princess Auto < ~ Canada's Harbour Freight >
fell apart after 2 - 3 years of gentle use - 2 x per year changing
8 snow tires in the driveway .. the identical replacement wasn't
any better so I got a gift card instead of a refund / replacement.
... but still the hassle of it all because of a really junky tool.
I don't need Snap-On just a tool that does the job, please.
John T.
It would be very very cool if they would replace my nearly 75 year
old PowrKraft lathe for "excessive wear" ...
Wait for Canadian Tire to put theirs on sale - Better than the junky
Princess jobs - but if you keep your eye on them even they (the Princess junk) can stay together. I carry one in each car for wheel nuts.
Which is all fine and good if you don't care about how that tool
might have been abused in the past ... you can bet your sweet ass they
don't check calibration after every "use" . If it's important enough to
check it's important enough to buy to buy the proper tool . As I've
often told my wife , the tool almost always is cheaper than the labor
charge -
and when I'm done I'll still have the tool . And that's why I have a
very well equipped machine shop and enough tools to completely rebuild a
car .
Or a house , for that matter .
I'm active on an auto forum and a question came up about changing
spark plugs.-a On some engines today it is a bit complex but this guy
had a solution.
Part of first comment:
Can I just do this myself? I've replaced plugs in other vehicles and
it's always been a simple procedure. I might have to buy a torque
wrench at Lowe's and then return it, but I have all the other needed
tools.
I mentioned ethics in returning the tool.-a His reply:
Not sure why ethics is involved? Using a torque wrench on spark plugs doesn't cause any wear and tear. Lowe's can easily sell it as new
after being returned.
On Tue, 22 Sep 2026 13:20:37 -0400, Ed P wrote:
I'm active on an auto forum and a question came up about changing spark
plugs. On some engines today it is a bit complex but this guy had a
solution.
Part of first comment:
Can I just do this myself? I've replaced plugs in other vehicles and
it's always been a simple procedure. I might have to buy a torque wrench
at Lowe's and then return it, but I have all the other needed tools.
I mentioned ethics in returning the tool. His reply:
Not sure why ethics is involved? Using a torque wrench on spark plugs
doesn't cause any wear and tear. Lowe's can easily sell it as new after
being returned.
Back in their heyday Montgomery Ward would replace defective PowerKraft tools. Would it be ethical to return a stripped out 1/2 drive ratchet for replacement knowing that there was a 6' piece of 1" pipe involved?
And Sears used to guarantee their Craftsman brand tools for life.
Mostly I don't miss "the good old days" but a few things were better then.
On 9/23/2026 9:31 AM, Retirednoguilt wrote:
And Sears used to guarantee their Craftsman brand tools for life.
Mostly I don't miss "the good old days" but a few things were better then. >>
Only used it once, broken socket.
Had a lug nut that would not loosen. Put the wrench on it, then slipped
a section of pipe over the handle, jumped on it.
Took the broken/split socket to Sears and walked out with a new one.
I'm active on an auto forum and a question came up about changing spark plugs.-a On some engines today it is a bit complex but this guy had a solution.
Part of first comment:
Can I just do this myself? I've replaced plugs in other vehicles and
it's always been a simple procedure. I might have to buy a torque wrench
at Lowe's and then return it, but I have all the other needed tools.
I mentioned ethics in returning the tool.-a His reply:
Not sure why ethics is involved? Using a torque wrench on spark plugs doesn't cause any wear and tear. Lowe's can easily sell it as new after being returned.
On 9/23/2026 9:31 AM, Retirednoguilt wrote:
And Sears used to guarantee their Craftsman brand tools for life.
Mostly I don't miss "the good old days" but a few things were better
then.
Only used it once, broken socket.
Had a lug nut that would not loosen.-a Put the wrench on it, then slipped
a section of pipe over the handle, jumped on it.
Took the broken/split socket to Sears and walked out with a new one.
And Sears used to guarantee their Craftsman brand tools for life.
Mostly I don't miss "the good old days" but a few things were better
then.
On 9/23/2026 9:31 AM, Retirednoguilt wrote:
And Sears used to guarantee their Craftsman brand tools for life.Only used it once, broken socket.
Mostly I don't miss "the good old days" but a few things were better
then.
Had a lug nut that would not loosen. Put the wrench on it, then slipped
a section of pipe over the handle, jumped on it.
Took the broken/split socket to Sears and walked out with a new one.
On 9/23/2026 7:57 AM, Ed P wrote:
On 9/23/2026 9:31 AM, Retirednoguilt wrote:
And Sears used to guarantee their Craftsman brand tools for life.Only used it once, broken socket.
Mostly I don't miss "the good old days" but a few things were better
then.
Had a lug nut that would not loosen.-a Put the wrench on it, then
slipped a section of pipe over the handle, jumped on it.
Took the broken/split socket to Sears and walked out with a new one.
Craftsman brand is at Home Depot now. I got a new breaker bar on
warranty a year or so ago. Just look up "craftsman warranty".
On Wed, 23 Sep 2026 10:57:30 -0400, Ed P wrote:
On 9/23/2026 9:31 AM, Retirednoguilt wrote:
And Sears used to guarantee their Craftsman brand tools for life.Only used it once, broken socket.
Mostly I don't miss "the good old days" but a few things were better
then.
Had a lug nut that would not loosen. Put the wrench on it, then slipped
a section of pipe over the handle, jumped on it.
Took the broken/split socket to Sears and walked out with a new one.
Did you ever get the nut off or were you dealing with a Chrysler product
with left handed threads on the passenger side? They were always good for broken tools and/or studs.
On 9/23/2026 7:57 AM, Ed P wrote:
On 9/23/2026 9:31 AM, Retirednoguilt wrote:
And Sears used to guarantee their Craftsman brand tools for life.
Mostly I don't miss "the good old days" but a few things were better
then.
Only used it once, broken socket.
Had a lug nut that would not loosen.-a Put the wrench on it, then
slipped a section of pipe over the handle, jumped on it.
Took the broken/split socket to Sears and walked out with a new one.
Craftsman brand is at Home Depot now. I got a new breaker bar on
warranty a year or so ago. Just look up "craftsman warranty".
On 9/23/2026 10:57 AM, Ed P wrote:
On 9/23/2026 9:31 AM, Retirednoguilt wrote:
And Sears used to guarantee their Craftsman brand tools for life.
Mostly I don't miss "the good old days" but a few things were better then. >>>
Only used it once, broken socket.
Had a lug nut that would not loosen. Put the wrench on it, then slipped
a section of pipe over the handle, jumped on it.
Took the broken/split socket to Sears and walked out with a new one.
Yeah, I did that once with a frozen lug nut and instead of either
loosening the nut or breaking the wrench, I broke the lug off the wheel
hub assembly. Never again.
Fortunately, it came off. It was on a Karmen Ghia, IIRC, it had the
left threads too.
On Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:48:56 -0400, Ed P wrote:
Fortunately, it came off. It was on a Karmen Ghia, IIRC, it had the
left threads too.
Maybe VW got more from Chrysler than some styling tips.
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/last-nights-dream-1953-chrysler-ghia- delegance/
On Wed, 23 Sep 2026 10:57:30 -0400, Ed P wrote:
On 9/23/2026 9:31 AM, Retirednoguilt wrote:
And Sears used to guarantee their Craftsman brand tools for life.Only used it once, broken socket.
Mostly I don't miss "the good old days" but a few things were better
then.
Had a lug nut that would not loosen. Put the wrench on it, then slipped
a section of pipe over the handle, jumped on it.
Took the broken/split socket to Sears and walked out with a new one.
Did you ever get the nut off or were you dealing with a Chrysler product with left handed threads on the passenger side? They were always good for broken tools and/or studs.
On 9/23/2026 9:39 PM, rbowman wrote:ghia-
On Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:48:56 -0400, Ed P wrote:
Fortunately, it came off. It was on a Karmen Ghia, IIRC, it had the
left threads too.
Maybe VW got more from Chrysler than some styling tips.
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/last-nights-dream-1953-chrysler-
delegance/Wow, so similar. Mine was a 1964 convertible, similar style to the
photo down the page a bit. Paid $15 for it and then did some engine
work to get it running.
I don't do many things to autos except drive them. No, it was a Ford.
Had it towed to a repair shop. The nut was the least of my problems
compared to the broken off lug. They told me that I needed a new thingy
that the lugs are mounted on. Could the remnants of the old lug be
drilled out and securely replaced with a new lug? I have no idea.
Possibly problems with balance if that was attempted. Anyway, I never
again jumped on a lug nut wrench!
On Thu, 24 Sep 2026 08:43:01 -0400, Ed P wrote:
On 9/23/2026 9:39 PM, rbowman wrote:ghia-
On Wed, 23 Sep 2026 15:48:56 -0400, Ed P wrote:
Fortunately, it came off. It was on a Karmen Ghia, IIRC, it had the
left threads too.
Maybe VW got more from Chrysler than some styling tips.
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/blog/last-nights-dream-1953-chrysler-
delegance/Wow, so similar. Mine was a 1964 convertible, similar style to the
photo down the page a bit. Paid $15 for it and then did some engine
work to get it running.
I liked them, sort of a poor man's Porsche in styling if not performance. Oddly for someone of my generation I never owned a Beetle or any other VW product although I did have an Audi 100LS in the early '70s. It was one of the worst cars I ever owned. My ex got custody of the Audi and traded it
in on a Rabbit. That was an upgrade.
On 9/23/2026 3:16 PM, rbowman wrote:As aq long time (retired) techI've never seen a hub with stugs that
On Wed, 23 Sep 2026 10:57:30 -0400, Ed P wrote:
On 9/23/2026 9:31 AM, Retirednoguilt wrote:
And Sears used to guarantee their Craftsman brand tools for life.Only used it once, broken socket.
Mostly I don't miss "the good old days" but a few things were better
then.
Had a lug nut that would not loosen. Put the wrench on it, then slipped >>> a section of pipe over the handle, jumped on it.
Took the broken/split socket to Sears and walked out with a new one.
Did you ever get the nut off or were you dealing with a Chrysler product
with left handed threads on the passenger side? They were always good for >> broken tools and/or studs.
I don't do many things to autos except drive them. No, it was a Ford.
Had it towed to a repair shop. The nut was the least of my problems
compared to the broken off lug. They told me that I needed a new thingy
that the lugs are mounted on. Could the remnants of the old lug be
drilled out and securely replaced with a new lug? I have no idea.
Possibly problems with balance if that was attempted. Anyway, I never
again jumped on a lug nut wrench!
On Thu, 24 Sep 2026 11:02:06 -0400, Retirednoguilt wrote:
I don't do many things to autos except drive them. No, it was a Ford.
Had it towed to a repair shop. The nut was the least of my problems
compared to the broken off lug. They told me that I needed a new thingy
that the lugs are mounted on. Could the remnants of the old lug be
drilled out and securely replaced with a new lug? I have no idea.
Possibly problems with balance if that was attempted. Anyway, I never
again jumped on a lug nut wrench!
I don't know about that particular Ford but usually you can punch the stud out and replace it. There is knurling of sorts around the head.
https://www.autozone.com/tire-repair-and-tire-wheel/lug-studs
As you might guess from the selection breaking them off isn't an uncommon occurrence.
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