Track Day Lug Nut Question
08-02-2012, 03:35 PM
#1
3rd Gear Member
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Norfolk, VA
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Track Day Lug Nut Question
Question for my track day guys. I haven't been to the track in a while and I'm gearing up for an event at VIR this month. It's a silly and simple question, but it's an itch that I can't seem to scratch lol: what do you guys torque your lug nuts to when cold? It's been so long I forgot. 
08-02-2012, 05:58 PM
#3
Question for my track day guys. I haven't been to the track in a while and I'm gearing up for an event at VIR this month. It's a silly and simple question, but it's an itch that I can't seem to scratch lol: what do you guys torque your lug nuts to when cold? It's been so long I forgot.
Most street cars only require about 100ft-lbs of torque. This is also for normal driving and assuming you need to take the lug nuts off on the side of a road to fix a flat. For sports cars, we usually torque them a little higher just for safety at about 125-128ft-lbs, since we're very rough on our Mustangs. Also, keep in mind that more isn't always better and it's possible to break a stud that way. To have equal torque all the way around in a star pattern is almost more important then the actual torque itself.
Hope this helps some!
Shane
08-02-2012, 06:12 PM
#4
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Here are the proper dry torques for the different sizes of studs:7/16-inch diameter 50 to 60 lb-ft; 12mm diameter 70 to 80 lb-ft;1/2-inch diameter 80 to 90 lb-ft; 5/8-inch diameter 110 to 125 lb-ft. I think the Mustang is a 1/2 inch, I'm not sure so double check.
08-02-2012, 06:30 PM
#5
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Hey guys, thanks. It's been about 10 months since I hit the track, but I don't think I hit triple digits for torque, that's why I wanted track guys to chime in. I appreciate the info. I think around 80-ish sounds about right. Definitely don't want to over torque.
08-02-2012, 09:02 PM
#6
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08-03-2012, 09:51 AM
#10
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My torque stick set ranges from 60lbs-200lbs, so I just grab the big boy 200 and crank on them. Don't want to chance anything. I break the studs occassionally but it's not hard to punch it out and replace.
Just playing. 100lbs works on virtually all cars
Just playing. 100lbs works on virtually all cars