Tight nuts
I took my Dodge 3500 to the local Dodge dealer for a tire rotation today. They said that they couldn't get the lug nuts loose on the rear duallies. They tried soaking them with penetrating oil but the...
Forum Discussion
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I imagine very few will agree with me, and I avoided saying earlier, but I would rather have the wheel nuts too loose, than too tight, on my own equipment. Same goes for oil filters and many other fasteners. The key is to double-check them soon and triple check them later.
I never use a torque wrench on my wheels, and rely on an experienced feel when tightening the nuts. I always use oil on them, both threads and face, and have rarely had to retighten them while double-checking, and never at a triple-check.
Most importantly, they come off with reasonable boondock effort if I do this, but I have had them obviously too tight when mounted by a shop. I have to admit that I tighten them only slightly tighter with, or without, a torque wrench if the vehicle is someone elses, but have never had one of these come loose.
I have had my oil filter drip once, after mounting, because I barely tighten them at all, assuming I personally must remove it next. They will not fall off, but can seep if not tight enough. I finger-mount too tight, immediately loosen, then gently retighten short of bottom, maybe an 8th turn after full contact. I do have various special tools to remove them. But, there is very little more irritating than an oil filter that must have a screwdriver driven through it, or the rim chiseled, to remove it. Momentarily, I'd like to choke the amateurs that cause that. ;)
Wes
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I imagine very few will agree with me, and I avoided saying earlier, but I would rather have the wheel nuts too loose, than too tight, on my own equipment. Same goes for oil filters and many other fasteners. The key is to double-check them soon and triple check them later.
I never use a torque wrench on my wheels, and rely on an experienced feel when tightening the nuts. I always use oil on them, both threads and face, and have rarely had to retighten them while double-checking, and never at a triple-check.
Most importantly, they come off with reasonable boondock effort if I do this, but I have had them obviously too tight when mounted by a shop. I have to admit that I tighten them only slightly tighter with, or without, a torque wrench if the vehicle is someone elses, but have never had one of these come loose.
I have had my oil filter drip once, after mounting, because I barely tighten them at all, assuming I personally must remove it next. They will not fall off, but can seep if not tight enough. I finger-mount too tight, immediately loosen, then gently retighten short of bottom, maybe an 8th turn after full contact. I do have various special tools to remove them. But, there is very little more irritating than an oil filter that must have a screwdriver driven through it, or the rim chiseled, to remove it. Momentarily, I'd like to choke the amateurs that cause that. ;)
Wes
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