How tight should I torque my lug nuts?
#11
I have worked at America's Tire Co. for the past 2 years as an apprentice technician, so all I do all day is bolt and unbolt wheels and tires. FYI, all foreign and domestic car manufacturers recommend their own stock torque rating for their lug nuts. When you throw aftermarket wheels into the mix it starts to complicate matters but the general rule of thumb is as follows:
Japanese/German/foreign cars: 80-85 ft/lbs of torque
American/Domestic cars: 100-110 ft/lbs of torque
Standard trucks/6 lug: 125-135 ft/lbs of torque
Heavy Duty trucks/8 lug: 150 ft/lbs of torque
Most domestic cars (Ford, Chevy, etc) have a stock torque rating of a flat 100 ft/lbs of torque for a 5 lug bolt pattern. 4 lug hubs in general tend to belong to less powerful vehicles and therefore don't require as high a torque rating. I have a V8 engine in my car, and therefore 5 lug wheel hubs, and torque my lugs down to 100 ft/lbs, and wouldn't be comfortable with anything less.
Japanese/German/foreign cars: 80-85 ft/lbs of torque
American/Domestic cars: 100-110 ft/lbs of torque
Standard trucks/6 lug: 125-135 ft/lbs of torque
Heavy Duty trucks/8 lug: 150 ft/lbs of torque
Most domestic cars (Ford, Chevy, etc) have a stock torque rating of a flat 100 ft/lbs of torque for a 5 lug bolt pattern. 4 lug hubs in general tend to belong to less powerful vehicles and therefore don't require as high a torque rating. I have a V8 engine in my car, and therefore 5 lug wheel hubs, and torque my lugs down to 100 ft/lbs, and wouldn't be comfortable with anything less.
O.K. not to complicate things but,...I have to say BS to this. I have been turning wrenches for going on 30 years and work for a MAJOR delivery service currently. A good majority of our vehicles are light trucks and .....the "factory spec" on these is 70lbs. The "cars" we deal with is pretty much the same. It may not seem like a lot but, it is more than sufficient to hold a wheel on.
I would check with whoever made your "adapters" and see what they have to say.
#12
O.K. not to complicate things but,...I have to say BS to this. I have been turning wrenches for going on 30 years and work for a MAJOR delivery service currently. A good majority of our vehicles are light trucks and .....the "factory spec" on these is 70lbs. The "cars" we deal with is pretty much the same. It may not seem like a lot but, it is more than sufficient to hold a wheel on.
I would check with whoever made your "adapters" and see what they have to say.
I would check with whoever made your "adapters" and see what they have to say.
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoWheelTorque.dos
You'll notice that most of the Chrysler, Dodge, Ford and Mercury car torque ratings are between 95-110 ft/lbs. Acura, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda and Toyota car ratings are 80. Besides the S10 and Tracker, Chevy doesn't have a truck torque rating under 100. Same with Dodge and Ford. If you want to talk about light trucks like a Mazda B2000 then you can refer to my Japanese/foreign rating. I did say just rule of thumb, but its not like I'm making this stuff up.
#14
I was torquing mine to 100 foot pounds, and was told that can warp the rotors. I currently use 70-75 foot pounds of torque on my car and have had no problems over the last four years or so.
I've read that the relative torque between the lugs is the most critical...
Brian
I've read that the relative torque between the lugs is the most critical...
Brian
#16
#17
+1, I don't fee like finding my torque wrench so I take my breaker bar and go in steps with a star pattern. First I just spin it on, all 5. Then I torque till decent tightness all the way, Then start back at 1 which is now loose and do it again, then usually 1 more time. The 3rd or 4th time is mostly a checking tightness thing, if the 1st one isn't loose now after tightening the other 4 then that means they're all torqued on evenly. So I usually go through it one more time to be sure they are all real tight then I'm done, no problems for years.
#18
yeah I used to feel the same about it as you guys. Then one day I was driving home from work behind this Suburban and driving down the road a shiny flash caught the corner of my eye. A few seconds later I saw it again, skipping down the road I thought it was a rock. Then another one after another few seconds, skipping down the road a few times and then off into the bushes on the side of the road. A few more seconds and the last lug nut on their front left wheel came off and so did the wheel. My horn doesn't work so I had no way to warn them. They slid on their brake disc for a few feet with sparks flying everywhere and a dazed look on their face. Ever since then I've taken no chances.
Plus I've seen way too many broken studs occur as a result of overtightened lug nuts. Thats what I really worry about since I have a tendency to overtighten things.
Plus I've seen way too many broken studs occur as a result of overtightened lug nuts. Thats what I really worry about since I have a tendency to overtighten things.
#19
i always did the 'RT' torque spec as well but then one day i decided to actually grab the torque wrench and torque them down to 100 ft lbs.
when i did i noticed 1 lug nut didnt tighten as quick as the others and actually had yet to 'snap' due to being at the correct torque.
looked at the wheel and the lug nut had actually sunk into the wheel and the hole was flared out.
oddly though i found a set of 4 steel wheels off a 66 mustang from a guy for $100 and they were pretty solid.
only thing was 1 had a REALLY slight wobble to it but you dont even feel it when driving and only see it when its on the balancer
when i did i noticed 1 lug nut didnt tighten as quick as the others and actually had yet to 'snap' due to being at the correct torque.
looked at the wheel and the lug nut had actually sunk into the wheel and the hole was flared out.
oddly though i found a set of 4 steel wheels off a 66 mustang from a guy for $100 and they were pretty solid.
only thing was 1 had a REALLY slight wobble to it but you dont even feel it when driving and only see it when its on the balancer
#20
THANK you. i was beginning to be amused by this little debate too. just get the b!tches on there tight and forget about it.