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Re: Loose lug nuts Posted by Ari [Email] (#2847) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Ari) on Fri, 4 Jul 2008 09:27:35 In Reply to: Loose lug nuts, steve, Thu, 3 Jul 2008 21:54:06 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Unless the torque is set correctly on the air wrench, they can be at any setting. And you have to assume the wrench is working properly. I usually see air wrenches set too high, but too low is possible.
Whenever I get a car back from someplace that took the wheels off, I loosen and re-torque (with a torque wrench) all the lug bolts. Since too tight is the norm, I don't want to get stuck with a really hard bolt when changing the tire. And I've found bolts stripped by mechanics - you want to go back right away; 4 months later makes for a tough argument.
As noted, the torque spec is usually closer to 80 ft-lbs.
The good news is that you probably didn't do any damage. You noted they were finger loose. But if they were seated- screwed all the way in but not tight - you're OK. The weight and the torque are carried by the bolts in shear, which means at a 90 degree angle to the shaft of the bolt. The only problem with bolts that aren't fully tight is that they can back out. If they start to back out, then the wheel can wobble, then things get bad. Too tight is also bad, as it can distort the rotor, hub, and wheel. And overstresses the bolt. But as long as the bolts remained fully seated, you've done no damage.
posted by 76.227.24...
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