- Heat treated alloy steel
- Drop forged for strength
- Polished Chrome Plated Finish
- Sizes: 7/8", 15/16", 1" and 1-1/16"
Although this lug wrench was advertised as manufactured using "heavy duty drop forged steel", and it has an attractive chrome finish, it lacks the most important feature: reliability.
The 'W11' lug wrench was purchased new, and subsequently pressed into service on its maiden voyage to remove the lug nuts on a RAM 3500 Dually truck. During the lug nut removal process, it was noted that chrome fragments were flaking off the perimeter of the 15/16" socket, adjacent to the edge contacting the lug nuts. Although no damage to the inner face of the socket was observed during the lug nut removal process, chunks of chrome progressively continued to peel off as lug nuts were removed. Following completion of the tire rotation procedure, all lug nuts were tightened to a snug fit, the rear axle was lowered enough for the tires to contact the garage floor, and final tightening commenced. On the first wheel, lug nut #6 of 8, the wrench socket lost its integrity, WITHOUT ADVANCE WARNING, and fractured. Since the wrench was under full load at the time, the fracture of the 15/16" socket and subsequent rupture of the bond with the lug nut dispatched the operator's upper right arm and elbow directly into the wheel well resulting in bodily injury to the operator.
This wrench was purchased to replace a decades old lug wrench which was showing some wear. Since the age old lug wrench NEVER FAILED in performing service on this vehicle, and countless others, and this wrench failed on its first use, I must conclude the construction of this wrench is substandard.
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