Is torqueing the wheel nuts really critical ?

If so, what is the torque?

 

Thanks

 

 

John

I think so, which I why I do mine to 80lb/ft - nice and evenly.

I think the manual says something like 74lb/ft

 

Originally posted by dixonjohn

Is torqueing the wheel nuts really critical ?

If so, what is the torque?

 

Thanks

 

 

John

Thanks Andy,

I will check all mine. By the way, I bought a new tyre from Kwick Fit the other day, I was surprised when they had torqued every nut.

 

John

Originally posted by AndyP

I think so, which I why I do mine to 80lb/ft - nice and evenly.

I think the manual says something like 74lb/ft

 

 

I think the manual says 74-82lb/ft so like Andy says,put it as 80. I do

The problem, sometimes, with tyre fitters is that they put the nuts on with an air gun, then go round with a torque wrench.

 

The only situation that this would make sense is if the air gun is set to a lower torque than the torque wrench. ie if your air gun delivers 100ftlb of torque, then you go round with a torque wrench set at 80ftlb, you would be as well going round with a feather duster.

 

The whole idea is that the nut is set at the torque, not less than or more than. There is as much possible damage from nuts torqued too high as too low, even more so if they are unevenly torqued. The scenario above only shows that each of the nuts is torqued at >80ftlbs.

 

Try using a torque wrench to undo them, see how much torque is actually in the nuts, then re - tighten with a torque wrench :)

 

HTH

 

Hugh

If they splash copaslip or grease over the threads before hitting it with an air impact wrench the actual torque that can be achieved can be way higher than the tool setting.

 

I get wheel balance problems if unevenly torqued but may be its due to the BBS 18" wheels distorting or the hub getting distorted by them.

 

Was really bad after it had been copaslipoed and done with an air tool after they had re balanced the wheels

I am seriously am thinking of taking my wheels off when I get new tyres. Not only do the wheels get put on too tight, but I have had a number of scratches on my body work and a few on the wheel its self from the air gun catching the car. :mad:

 

 

Stuart

I'd be surprised if the torque to release the

nuts is the same as used to tighten.

 

Air drivers can have the torque at 80ftlb, surely?

Its not and if you plaster a screw thread in a good lubricant it can be tightened much more using less torque as less of the torque is needed to overcome friction - result more tension stress on the stud.