Is 65 ft lbs. the correct torque for lug nuts on steel ralley wheels ?

Thanks for your replies.

Drew

When the impact stops turning them, they're good http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif . Well that's how I do it anyway, I'm really not sure on the exact torque setting.

Mark's method works- until you need to get the things off on the side of the road on a rainy, windy night with only the factory lug wrench... i always thought about 100 is what was recommended, but i have never used a torque wrench on a wheel, either.

------------------
1971 Nova(looks like 69 camaro from underneath!)
355sb, vortec heads, HOT cam,T-10 tranny, 3.70 gears 16X8" IROC wheels. 12" Corvette brakes on the way.
see pics here http://community.webshots.com/user/novaderrik

Most of the new stuff I work on is 100 ft. lbs and I use "torque sticks" on my impact gun so as not to over do it.

I had my front wheels off last weekend replacing the wheel cylinders and brake hoses and put a torque wrench on them to put them back on. I was afraid to exceed 85 ft lbs. because they seemed to be stressing. http://www.camaros.net/forum/eek.gif

I've got a Chiltons manual but the correct torque isn't listed. Go figure ???

Should be in the assembly manual, no ??? Anyone have one of these ???

Thanks, Drew

[This message has been edited by drew69 (edited 09-06-2002).]

I'm shocked that anyone would recommend to use an impact gun to install wheels!

Yes, this is a little pet peeve of mine, but it still surprises me how many people who seem to be otherwise knowledgeable don't torque their wheels to spec.

I guess maybe I'm particularly anal about this since I had a wheel come off a car while driving when I was 17 because of broken lugs most likely caused by use of an impact.

Anyways, the stock spec is typically 65 lb-ft for our wheels. This is based on a 7/16" lug. If you overtorque, like to 100 lb-ft like someone suggested, you risk breaking the fastener (lug), or crimping the tapered end of the lug nut.

On my car, I have grade 8 1/2-20 studs on the rear axle so I torque them down to 90 lb-ft.

If you don't know the torque specification for a fastener, you can get a rough idea of what the intended torque is based on the actual size of the fastener and the grade. Look at this web site for an example of what torques are recommended for different fastener sizes:
http://www.engineersedge.com/torque.htm

-gw

call a wheel dealer or drop a line to the manufacturer. Aluminum and steel wheels take different torques, as do different manufacturers suggested specs.

------------------
My '68 Camaro (http://hometown.aol.com/Dougs68Camaro/index.html)
Doug G.
68 Camaro
406 ci.
13.5@102 W/ 2.73POSI.

GW - Thanks