Dexter Axle wheel studs

[Mont_G_J]

My 5th wheel has 5200lb Dexter axles with 6 wheel studs that are
1/2 x 20. On one occasion all six studs broke and I lost the right rear wheel. On three other separate occasions, I have had one or two broken studs that are always on the rear wheels. I check the 120 lb torque often and have used two different torque wrenches.
My question is, does anyone know if there is a harder or stronger grade stud available for Dexter axles?

[alfredmay]

Are you using anti seize compound? If so reduce the torque dramatically. Lots of info on Google regarding how much to reduce it. Here is a good article. Also look up info regarding cheap Chinese grade 5 or 8 bolts that are junk. Try a different bolt supplier.


https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/anti-seize-and-over-torquing-bolts.604971/

[Denny___Jami]

Just a suggestion but torque them to 90 and check them one time after going around 50 miles and don't check them agian unless you take the tire off. IMO you are over tightening them and fatiguing the studs. I torque mine to 120 but I have 9/16 studs, I only check them one time after removing a wheel.
Denny

[fj12ryder]

I know you have probably checked, but maybe a double check to make sure the lug nuts match the profile of your wheels' lug nut openings. Maybe somebody screwed up somewhere and they mismatched the wheels/hubs. Maybe your wheels are lug centric and your hubs are hub centric.

[brulaz]

I had a few studs break one time on one of my 5200# Al-Ko axle drums.
I was removing the wheel to rotate the tires. But after getting new ones swagged in, there has been no further problems. Certainly nothing like what you've been having.

Are your new studs breaking or just the originals?
If the new ones are also breaking perhaps the 120# torque?
I only go 90-100#.

And have you weighed your trailer? Could you be exceeding 5200# per axle, 2600# per wheel? Normally I would expect your tires to go first if over-weight, but ...

[Mont_G_J]

agesilaus wrote:
When did the studs break, when you were removing the wheel?

They have broken so frequently I check them before leaving and again when I arrive. They break while I'm traveling.

Here's a picture when I broke all six. Looking at the picture reminds me that I did modify the suspension by installing the E-Z Flex.

[agesilaus]

You can use a gun if you use a torque stick with it: Amazon

[time2roll]

90 to 120? I use 105

Anyone use a gun to install new tires etc?

[mike-s]

Mont G&J wrote:
I check the 120 lb torque often and have used two different torque wrenches.

Shadow Catcher wrote:
Are you using a torque wrench?

:R

[agesilaus]

jetcare wrote:
My personal experience is that the lug nut torque specification is 90-120 foot pounds and I find that 90-100 feels right and 120 seems too tight. Just my opinion. This is for steel wheels. Dexter says the bolts are already Grade 8 quality. I realize this did not answer your question.

Dexter PDF File

I've been torquing mine to 100#. That's with aluminum wheels

[jetcare]

My personal experience is that the lug nut torque specification is 90-120 foot pounds and I find that 90-100 feels right and 120 seems too tight. Just my opinion. This is for steel wheels. Dexter says the bolts are already Grade 8 quality. I realize this did not answer your question.

Dexter PDF File

[Shadow_Catcher]

Are you using a torque wrench? I use antiseize and the lubricated stud torque value and I have never broken a stud.
For the studsTorque valuses on my Dexter axle that is about 90 ft-lbs

[agesilaus]

When did the studs break, when you were removing the wheel?