Lug nutz

Scrounger · May 7, 2009

Anyone have a recommendation on how much to torque the lugs on a 14" trailer wheel? 90 pounds?

Builder · May 7, 2009

Scrounger said:
Anyone have a recommendation on how much to torque the lugs on a 14" trailer wheel? 90 pounds?

Best thing is to call manufacturer. Someone gives you the wrong value and you could be at risk of a great deal of damage.

Diamondpilot · May 7, 2009

If its a 5 lug wheel and has standard egg corn 1/2" lugs the recommended value is 110-120 Ft Lbs. But like builder said, check your trailers literature or call the manufacture.

Chris

Willl · May 8, 2009

Does anybody actually use a torque wrench on lug nuts ?

The only time I pull my torque wrench out is for head bolts, everything else is by the grunt system.

Diamondpilot · May 8, 2009

Willl said:
Does anybody actually use a torque wrench on lug nuts ?

The only time I pull my torque wrench out is for head bolts, everything else is by the grunt system.

I do on all the trailers I pull, which is as many as 75 different ones per year. I have been bitten. It actually lives in my truck with a 6 ton bottle jack and a 4 way lug wrench. For the torque wrench I bought a set of flip flop lug nut sockets from Harbor Freight.

Chris

Builder · May 8, 2009

Willl said:
Does anybody actually use a torque wrench on lug nuts ?

The only time I pull my torque wrench out is for head bolts, everything else is by the grunt system.

Most definately. Trucks, trailers, whatever. Tq wrench must be used.

Chuck K. · May 11, 2009

Have to agree with Willl on this one.. All my years as a mechanic from heavy line ending up in drivability.. I only used a torque wrench on heads, mains and rod caps. and to check pinion bearing load (inch pound torque). And I never had a wheel fall off or any other major malfunction.. Maybe a few more when I first started but once your familiar with your tools etc. you really dont have time while working on comission..

If ya wanna take it to limit and get technical there is probablly torque specs for headlight ring.. If you have to desire to torque them

Bird · May 11, 2009

As the old saying goes, "Do as I say, not as I do."

Like Willl, I've never used a torque wrench on lug nuts, but I also know that DiamondPilot and Builder are right. You ought to use one.

Diamondpilot · May 11, 2009

I think it is getting more and more important. I can not tell you how many complete wheels come off along the highway I live 1.5 miles from. I bet I see one a week and it usually seems to be the front drivers side. Not sure why but on the left side things are always trying to loosen themselves.

I have a feeling it has to do with the new light weight aluminum and other material wheels. They are making them lighter to improve the ride and they are getting bigger at the same time. Larger leads to more loads. Heck you are seeing 18" wheels with only 4 lugs on cars like Civics from the factory.

This thread made me think the other day about my lugs. I put new front brakes on my Saturn a month back and torqued them to spec, 96 FT LB, I did 100. Anyway I ran the wrench around them again and gave 5 of the 8 total front lugs a half a turn or so. I attribute this to the new rotors I had put on but either way they were slightly loose. I do know when I go to my tire store now days they always use a torque wrench and then give you a paper with all the specs, including torque, and recommend you bring it back in 200 miles or less for a re-torque.

Chris

Willl · May 11, 2009

Diamondpilot said:
I do know when I go to my tire store now days they always use a torque wrench and then give you a paper with all the specs, including torque, and recommend you bring it back in 200 miles or less for a re-torque.

That's only for the lawyers.

Builder · May 12, 2009

Willl said:
That's only for the lawyers.

ehh, not really.

When I take my truck to the dealer and they pull a wheel for state inspection, all lug nuts are torqued back on with a torque stick.

You'll notice many trash trucks and municipal trucks have special precautions taken to make sure lug nuts are correctly installed & torqued.

One of the biggest causes of highway accidents are truck & trailer tires coming off trucks and rolling into the front of oncoming cars.

I lost a truck tire about 25 years ago that crashed through a fence and killed some livestock on a farm. I have also read many an article of lost tire/wheels killing drivers in oncoming traffic.

It's serious business.

Bird · May 12, 2009

I have a neighbor who lost his compact 2005 Chevrolet sedan last year when a wheel came off an 18-wheeler and hit his car hard enough to total it. And it was a miracle he wasn't injured. I'm not sure how many miles he had on it, but I was surprised to learn it was a 2005 model because I had thought it was almost new just from seeing it parked in his driveway.

Willl · May 12, 2009

Builder said:
One of the biggest causes of highway accidents are truck & trailer tires coming off trucks and rolling into the front of oncoming cars.

That's quite a statement.

PILOON · May 12, 2009

Driving on the hiway from Toronto to Montreal, a ten wheeler lost a left rear wheel which ran parallel to the truck, turned towards my lane, jumped the median and came straight at me!
Fortunately it hit a bump and cleared my hood by just enough to sail over the car!
With the speeds, velocity and angles you just don't know if to brake hard, swerve or accelerate.

I did, however make the best of the situation.
Stopped, backed up and loaded the tire/rim in my trunk and sold it at the next gas station.

Took me some time to stop shaking.

The truck never even stopped or slowed down.

Wis Bang · May 13, 2009

Actually Ontario made some laws a few years ago over this subject making the person responsible for tightening the fasteners responsible. They have backed off some but it was all over the ttrucking industry publications when it happened.

Torque sticks are good for production shops.

The biggest problem is no one goes back in 200 miles for the re-check!

Diamondpilot · May 13, 2009

Wis Bang said:
The biggest problem is no one goes back in 200 miles for the re-check!

I do, and like I said I found loose lugs on the front of my Saturn last weekend. I will admit I had forgotten, but this thread made me take 10 minutes and go around and hit both trailers, and all 4 vehicles.

Chris

Builder · May 13, 2009

Willl said:
That's quite a statement.

Willl,

I don't want to come across as being arguementative with you, but I know a lot of cops, wrecking company owners & truckers. They tell me many accidents are caused by tire/wheel combinations flying off and striking cars.

Just trying to emphasize the importance of the torque wrench.

Which brings to mind the question-why not just do it and be safe?