laknox wrote:
Durb wrote:
When I was checking on my 8 lug rims with 1/2-20 studs, Dexter warned torque was not to exceed 120 ft-lbs. I keep mine at 105 ft-lbs with aluminum rims. Important, after having your tires changed at a tire shop to go home loosen the lugs one at a time, and re-torque properly.
Discount Tire uses torque wrenches and when I'd have them put new tires on, I always checked with them on the setting. 105-110 every time. I'd check at home and they all clicked right at 105-110...every time. :B
Lyle
I just had Discount tire install Endurance tires on my trailer. I watched him use a torque wrench on the lug nuts, he had very poor technique. Proper way to load a torque wrench is to pull on the grip. Most people that push on the grip, or hammer the torque wrench are severely over-applying torque to the fastener. One major tire company reported to me that they tested their people, some were applying torque at 200 ft-lbs over the setting! The torque wrenches Discount uses are box-beam wrenches with very small break angles. Very difficult to stop at the click when pushing on the handle.
How did you check that your lug nuts were accurate? Re- clicking with a torque wrench means they are at least that tight, not an accurate method of testing actual applied torque. There are extremely expensive torque testing wrenches available (made in Japan), but I doubt many have one of those.
If you go with the assumption the lug nuts are overtightened at a tire shop, then loosening them one at a time and re-torquing will work, and not create cross-talk.
