Lug Nut Torque

[Gregor 4,846]

I have done a search, that yielded nothing. I looked at charts, that simply confused me. Does anyone know the proper torque for a lug nut? I just checked mine with a breaker bar and found them loose.I have been relying on my 1/4" drive rattle gun to install them. I'm thinking that's not enough. Thanks Greg

 

I know, it has probably been discussed on here 1000 times. I found one thread that said 70 - 80 Ft. Lb.  That seems excessive.

[WHX?? 48,815]

5 minutes ago, Gregor said:

I'm thinking that's not enough

That is correct, 

Google up a torque chart and go by what it says when in doubt. 

Keep in mind The charts are dependent on what the material the fastener is. 

[ebinmaine 67,508]

I use grade 5 bolts for the lugs on all the tractors we build. 

 

I set the torque around 35 to 40 FOOT pounds and retorque after a bit of use. 

 

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,508]

Interesting that the values @WHX?? Has are so different from the one I've been following..... 

[Gregor 4,846]

Just now, ebinmaine said:

Interesting that the values @WHX?? Has are so different from the one I've been following..... 

Now you understand my confusion.

[WHX?? 48,815]

3 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

what the material the fastener is. 

I have no idea what material the chart I posted is for.

For stock lug bolts i would just use mild steel in 7/16-20

[ebinmaine 67,508]

4 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

I have no idea what material the chart I posted is for.

For stock lug bolts i would just use mild steel in 7/16-20

Agreed. Grade 2 or 5. 

 

 

6 minutes ago, Gregor said:

Now you understand my confusion.

 

 

I've been following my method of 35 or 40 foot pounds plus a retorque for several years now and haven't had anything come undone. It's important to keep in mind that we move some very heavy stuff on hilly rough terrain.  

[WHX?? 48,815]

Just to confuse you more ....

not what EB is showing....well kinda. I do torque the 1/2" lugs on the toy hauler @ 110 ft lbs with no problems. 

Torque-Tension Reference Guide.pdf (fastenal.com)

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,045]

 

Much of the info in this SM still applies to the latest models

 

[pfrederi 17,739]

I use German torque  Gutten tight....

[Gregor 4,846]

60 it is !

 

Even 60 seemed excessive. I used my wifes 1/2" drive, 24" torque wrench, and I turned them a LOT !

Edited August 4, 2021 by Gregor

[midpack 866]

2 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

I use German torque  Gutten tight....

Probably in the minority here, but I don't think I have ever torqued a lug nut. Even on my cars. I have an air hammer wrench that I use and so far none have ever loosened

[WHX?? 48,815]

1 minute ago, midpack said:

don't think I have ever torqued a lug nut.

I said that once too Pack till I had some come loose and ruin the rim. 

[WHX?? 48,815]

4 minutes ago, midpack said:

an air hammer wrench

Most of the pro tire shops I haunt use that but then go over them with a click type.  Torque with an impact is dependent on what pressure one is feeding it. I would guess. 

Has any tool company ever invented one that is adjustable? Air impact that is. 

[ebinmaine 67,508]

4 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

Most of the pro tire shops I haunt use that but then go over them with a click type.  Torque with an impact is dependent on what pressure one is feeding it. I would guess. 

Has any tool company ever invented one that is adjustable? Air impact that is. 

 

Tire shops up here in New England use torque sticks.

 

 

 

Many moons ago I was driving a crane truck with the old school open center pinch bolt type mount. Had a wheel come loose and it rotated on the center enough to sheer the tube inlet causing a flat.

 

If it wasn't for the fact that it was on the actual set of drive wheels and my Jake brake was acting funny, I'm not sure I would have noticed it until it came unpasted and that could have gotten a lot worse VERY quickly.

 

Since then I've been pretty careful about torque spec on wheels no matter what type they are. 

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

1 hour ago, WHX?? said:

what material the chart I posted is for

 

17-4PH (H900) would seem to indicate some type of 'specialty' fastener to me.

Gotta be some sort of super high strength material! 

 

[Achto 27,577]

1 hour ago, midpack said:

I have an air hammer wrench that I use and so far none have ever loosened

 

An impact is fine on steel rims. Use one to install aluminum rims and you chance cracking the rim. Um, been there . Now I use a torque wrench on aluminum rims. Always recheck after the first 100miles.

 

My tractors get torqued to 60ft lbs.

[oliver2-44 9,753]

13 minutes ago, Jeff-C175 said:

 

17-4PH (H900) would seem to indicate some type of 'specialty' fastener to me.

Gotta be some sort of super high strength material! 

 

 

So I had to look it up, It says that is a heat treated precipitated stainless steel know for it strength.  so not what were using.

 

 

[Handy Don 12,232]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

Tire shops up here in New England use torque sticks

Those sticks are darn clever technology. They use them here too.

 

If you already know how they work, skip this paragraph...if not, read on!

The impact guns apply force only over a small rotational angle before their internal mechanism "releases" to prepare for the next impact. The stick is designed to twist and absorb some of each impact and then untwist before the next impact. By calibrating how much twist it absorbs, the stick allows just the right amount of torque to reach the lug nut. At the tire shop I use they have 10 or so different colored sticks for different torques and they, too, do the final with a click wrench.

[Jeff-C175 7,202]

I've read that unequal and/or excessive torque can 'warp' brake rotors.  I don't have any evidence of that ever occurring, only anecdotes.

[WHX?? 48,815]

2 hours ago, Jeff-C175 said:

17-4PH (H900) would seem to indicate some type of 'specialty' fastener

 

2 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

is a heat treated precipitated stainless steel know for it strength.

Lol inquiring minds want to know! I just grabbed the first chart google threw at me just to show Greg what a torque chart was. I suppose you canaries want to resto a horse with them now ..... 

[Achto 27,577]

Tire rack has a lug torque chart that should get you very close.

 

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=107

[Lee1977 6,660]

I don't worried about torque charts I just tighten my Wheel Horse lug bolts with a 3/8" ratchet. Never had a problem with them.

[roadapples 6,983]

I've twisted off so many bolts and stripped enough threads that I use a torque wrench to keep from over tightening not under....

[squonk 41,118]

DO NOT RELY ON A LITTLE BATTERY POWERED IMPACT TO TIGHTEN ANYTHING ENOUGH! 

 

(Especially those no hub iron pipe band clamps when the sewer pipe is above your bosses desk!) 

 

I torque to 50 ft. lbs. We ain't running these Horses over 40 on the highway or at Daytona!

Edited August 4, 2021 by squonk