How to lock X5 front wheels
 

I'm trying to switch my winter tires on.

When I jack up the front, I realized the front wheels are not locked. So the break bar can't really work as wheels make turn. I know I could put car and wheels on the ground, and then turn the lug nuts off, but then when I tight up the lug nuts, I have to let it on the ground before I tighten up, would that be a bad idea?

Is it the only option left is to use impact gun to tight them up?

Thanks

How I usually do it is I would first loosen the lugs with a breaker bar while the car is on the ground and then I would jack it up and take off the lugs/wheel, then once I'm finished I screw in each lug as much as I can before the wheel spins and then lower the car to the ground and torque each lug to the appropriate torque value in a star formation. Hope this helps.

^ pretty much the way most people would do it. Then just drive round the block, do a coupe of swerves and stops - check bolts with a torque wrench and you're set.


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You could ask the wife to step on the brakes if you don't want to loosen or tighten them with the wheels on the ground like everyone else.

Always loosen the lugs/bolts with the car on the floor but don't remove them and when your are putting on the lugs/bolts hand tighten with 1 hand on the wheel or tire then drop the car and torque to spec

All u need to loosen the bolts is about a half turn

Thanks guys. I just found there is a good deal for electronic impact gun on sale at canadian tire. $160 regular, now it's $48. With this gun, I can't go back now :)
With the gun finished the tightening, I still use the torque wrench to check nuts again. It should be safe now.

Just make sure the impact gun isn't rated above the manufacturers torque specs (101lbs) or you're going to over tighten then bolts every time.

My Milwaukee 18v puts down 415ft-lbs. That will land you in snapped bolts territory in no time. Ok for loosening tho.


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I managed to pull the trigger in less a second each time. So when I use torque wrench later, it still has a bit turning left. Thanks for reminder though.