Lug Nut Torque
#1
#2
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GunnyJ0369 (02-01-2018)
#4
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I've torqued up at least 1,000 lug nuts in my life, I've never used a torque wrench and instead I have always used the "two grunts and a fart" method, and I have never rounded a nut or snapped a lug (yet!). You quickly get the feel on each new car for when each lug nut is done up "just right". On the other hand I have had three snapped lugs from "mechanics" over-tightening lug nuts with an air gun.
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GunnyJ0369 (02-01-2018)
#5
#6
I'm an experienced mechanic and still use a torque wrench - testing has found that (in general) people's "butt dyno" as it relates to fastener torque is not very accurate.....to say the least.
I've done thousands of lug nuts with nothing but a wheel wrench and my arms idea of "gudintite" but I realize a torque wrench is a much better way
JMHO
Dave
I've done thousands of lug nuts with nothing but a wheel wrench and my arms idea of "gudintite" but I realize a torque wrench is a much better way
JMHO
Dave
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GunnyJ0369 (02-02-2018)
#7
I'm an experienced mechanic and still use a torque wrench - testing has found that (in general) people's "butt dyno" as it relates to fastener torque is not very accurate.....to say the least.
I've done thousands of lug nuts with nothing but a wheel wrench and my arms idea of "gudintite" but I realize a torque wrench is a much better way
JMHO
Dave
I've done thousands of lug nuts with nothing but a wheel wrench and my arms idea of "gudintite" but I realize a torque wrench is a much better way
JMHO
Dave
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GunnyJ0369 (02-02-2018)
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As it seems the majority opinion so far is "you should use a torque wrench" I just did a little test with my rarely used torque wrench, and guess what?
19 of the 20 lug nuts were smack on 125 Nm, and one was on 120 Nm (it's now on 125).
Seems my old fashioned "it feels right" method wasn't too shabby after all!
19 of the 20 lug nuts were smack on 125 Nm, and one was on 120 Nm (it's now on 125).
Seems my old fashioned "it feels right" method wasn't too shabby after all!
#11
Just as I thought
Got a nice new torque wrench yesterday. I checked the torque on my wheels and they were WAY over. They were at at least 150 ft lbs, that’s the max I can go with this wrench. Glad I checked and redid them to 92 ft lbs. I know some will say tighter is better but I think this is the right way to go. Thanks for all the feedback.
Henry
Henry
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Burt Gummer (02-05-2018)
#12
#13
As it seems the majority opinion so far is "you should use a torque wrench" I just did a little test with my rarely used torque wrench, and guess what?
19 of the 20 lug nuts were smack on 125 Nm, and one was on 120 Nm (it's now on 125).
Seems my old fashioned "it feels right" method wasn't too shabby after all!
19 of the 20 lug nuts were smack on 125 Nm, and one was on 120 Nm (it's now on 125).
Seems my old fashioned "it feels right" method wasn't too shabby after all!
Cheers,
Dave
#16
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Either your service advisor has no clues or you have after-market wheel nuts.
Before you splash out on an expensive socket get one of those cheap cross-braces that have a different size socket on each corner - usually 17 mm, 19 mm, 21 mm and 13/16", and see which one fits.
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Rubblex2 (12-15-2023)
#19
Determining which size socket your lug nuts take shouldn't be a difficult question to answer. If you stop in at most any tire store or even a high end car dealership (M/B, BMW, Lexus, Acura, etc>) and ask them if they could determine the lug nut size, most any of them would be happy to help you out....at least that's my experience on simpler questions, which this surely is. As far as torquing your wheel lug nuts, you would be a complete fool if you didn't comply with the manufacturer's instructions. Regardless of what anyone might say, the gut check method is poor at best. You risk warping the brake rotors with too much torque (big bucks on that one) and if you ever do have a flat in a rural area, maybe no cell phone service) and have to change that flat tire out with your spare, most manufacturers provide the wimpiest lug wrench "want to be" that was ever created....simply stated, you won't be able to get the lug nuts off if they are over torqued. Then what do you do??
If the manufacturers of automobiles didn't think torquing wheels was important, they would never provide that info in the owners manual. If you have an owners manual for your car, look harder (probably in the "how to change a flat" section of the manual) , it will be in there.
If the manufacturers of automobiles didn't think torquing wheels was important, they would never provide that info in the owners manual. If you have an owners manual for your car, look harder (probably in the "how to change a flat" section of the manual) , it will be in there.
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AJF (08-31-2018)
#20
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Determining which size socket your lug nuts take shouldn't be a difficult question to answer. If you stop in at most any tire store or even a high end car dealership (M/B, BMW, Lexus, Acura, etc>) and ask them if they could determine the lug nut size, most any of them would be happy to help you out....at least that's my experience on simpler questions, which this surely is. As far as torquing your wheel lug nuts, you would be a complete fool if you didn't comply with the manufacturer's instructions. Regardless of what anyone might say, the gut check method is poor at best. You risk warping the brake rotors with too much torque (big bucks on that one) and if you ever do have a flat in a rural area, maybe no cell phone service) and have to change that flat tire out with your spare, most manufacturers provide the wimpiest lug wrench "want to be" that was ever created....simply stated, you won't be able to get the lug nuts off if they are over torqued. Then what do you do??
If the manufacturers of automobiles didn't think torquing wheels was important, they would never provide that info in the owners manual. If you have an owners manual for your car, look harder (probably in the "how to change a flat" section of the manual) , it will be in there.
If the manufacturers of automobiles didn't think torquing wheels was important, they would never provide that info in the owners manual. If you have an owners manual for your car, look harder (probably in the "how to change a flat" section of the manual) , it will be in there.
"At the earliest opportunity, have the wheel nuts tightened with a torque wrench to 125 Nm (92
lb.ft). This torque must not be exceeded."
Gotta love how it says "have the wheel nuts tightened....", as though no owner can or should do this themselves!