Following HGV Direct’s recent announcement that they have become the UK distributor of Nord Lock’s new locking wheel nut system for commercial vehicles, the truck parts retailer is now offering customers a solution for the opposite problem. Just as loose wheel nuts can have serious consequences, a seized wheel nut can be a major inconvenience. HGV Direct is now able to supply the Sealey Torque Multiplier. It is designed for removing highly torqued wheel nuts on light commercial vehicles and trucks up to a maximum torque of 3200nm.

HGV Direct’s Operations Director Chris Knowles comments, “Workshops will have equipment on site to remove seized-on wheel nuts, but pneumatic wrenches are not always available at the road side and extension bars are often not practical or safe to use because of the sudden release force encountered if the seized nut is suddenly released. Roadside recovery drivers will find the device particularly useful, but at under £100, it is a handy and cost effective tool for anyone involved with HGVs as it can actually produce more torque than a garage air gun. It is much safer than struggling with a wrench or extension bar and there is far less risk of stripping the stud. It is not however designed to actually tighten nuts; a conventional NORBAR torque wrench should be used to achieve the manufacturer’s recommended torque settings.”

The Torque Multiplier (also known as a Torque Convertor) offers a gear ratio of 1:56 and the tool is driven with a 1” square drive. Two high quality 70mm long, chrome molybdenum sockets are included, in sizes 30mm and 32mm. All the items are supplied in a blow moulded case for storage. Usage is very straightforward: simply attach the appropriate set to the affected nut and rotate the handle until the nut is loosened. It can then be removed with an extension bar.