Tire torque wrench

[SylQuebec]

Hi, Any of you have heard about this tool? Some people said to me that each wheel bolt need to be properly torque. This will help bearing life and also help rotor to not bent and cause vibration while braking. I will put new cressy brake and bearing on my car. So my question is ; what should be the proper torque.

Thanks for the help

[83CelWA]

TSRM is on here for a reason.....that or buy a manual......

[jefe_not]

Well on page A-20 the 1985 TSRM says 76 ft-lb of torque (that would be 98 N-m if you're in Canada I guess) but the '84 Owner's manual takes a more relaxed approach and on page 65 says they should be tightened to between 65 and 87 ft-lb (or 88 to 118 N.m).

I normally do mine to about 85 because someone told me that number a long long time ago in a state far far away from Wisconsin.

And yes, I've also been told that you can warp the rotors if you overtighten the wheel nuts.

[theWeezL]

≈ 75ftlbs is pretty standard across manufacturers.

[dannymk2]

≈ 75ftlbs is pretty standard across manufacturers.

the spec for my truck is over 100 ft lbs and alot of the newer chrysler cars call for 100 ft lbs., but none of that pertains here. MY general rule of thumb is hand tight with the tire iron. you shouldnt be going crazy to get them tight and using all your strength. this has always worked for me.

[SupraFiend]

I prefer 80-85ft/lbs as cheap torque wrenches (there is no such thing as just a tire torque wrench btw, its a general purpose tool) are often off a little and I've noticed lugs will loosen a little bit over time when they're tightened around 70ftlbs. Or maybe its just my driving style.

But anywhere around there should be good, the important thing is to do it yourself, keep all 4 lugs at the same tightness level and to make sure a previous owner or shop hasn't cranked them on there to ridiculous levels with an impact, which happens ALL THE TIME. It helps to keep a little antisieze on the studs too if they're a little rusty, you get more reliable feedback from the torque wrench then.

[Funkycheeze]

also, for 4 lug, alternate across the center of the wheel, tightening in a 'cross' pattern

for 5 lug, use a 'star' pattern.

[scorpmatt]

had to swap "rotate" the wheels on the 85 today. hand tightened the lugs with the lug wrench from the tool bag, check with torque wrench, 70+ftlbs. :)

Well said funky cheese, 5+ lugs need some sort of star pattern. if you tighten in a circle you can run the risk of the lugs working themselves loose due to the rotation of the tire. :)

[pimptrizkit]

No if you tighten them in a circle you run the risk of the rim seating high on one side. thus once the car hit's the ground and the driver takes off the wheel will straighten out allowing other's to loosen, wabble holes, a sure tell sign you have done this or you have lug's backing off; you will hear rim slap. and may feel loose in the rear end or front end and typicaly about that time you are about to loose a wheel.



A Star pattern is the best way to describe the cris/cross mannor needed to tighten most applications.

This is the starting postion, to the left, diagnal down to right bottom, straight up to top point, diagnal back down to left bottom, and double checking Starting point.

Same applies to any bolt pattern that need's to be torqued, and the more acqurite your trying to be the more torque step's you'll need to make, (other word's know as torque passes or just passes.)

For 4lug wheels simply remove the "top point" from the star pattern.
6lug wheels "Add" a point before Finishing point, same applies for 8lug.



just figured it may be good info for people searching this thread for this type of info, for future Refference.

[scorpmatt]

No if you tighten them in a circle you run the risk of the rim seating high on one side. thus once the car hit's the ground and the driver takes off the wheel will straighten out allowing other's to loosen, wabble holes, a sure tell sign you have done this or you have lug's backing off; you will hear rim slap. and may feel loose in the rear end or front end and typicaly about that time you are about to loose a wheel.

thanks for giving more details than what i did on having the lugs back off.

[SylQuebec]

I tried torque the wheel to 80 lbs and both front wheel become loose in minutes...Maybe i'm too stupid to know how a torque wrench works..

[RedP85]

I've always used 85 lb, and never had an issue.
was it stockers or the XXR that came loose ?

[SupraFiend]

I tried torque the wheel to 80 lbs and both front wheel become loose in minutes...Maybe i'm too stupid to know how a torque wrench works..

Is it a clicktype torque wrench? Better question, was it a cheap one? I have a cheap one I use exclusively for torquing wheel lugs. I've tested it with my name brand expensive one I use for engine builds and such and the cheap one is out by at least 10 ft/lbs so I have to leave it set at 90ft/lbs all the time for wheel lugs.

[SylQuebec]

Ok, someone explain me how to do it... Wheel need to be torque on the air because on the ground, the 80ft/lbs will be reached before the wheel is in its place. wow, Not easy to explain in english...

[jrok]

im sorry i learned how to torque wheels in high school.......anyway and yes here in canada we still use ft lbs.... i put my wheels stock or after market at 100 ft llbs just to be sure and never had a problem.....if any one has ever had work at a shop done should have been told to get a retorque done after 100km or 60 miles..if you ever had problems with loose tire then you should do the same........and yes 75 of 85 ft lbs is what they should be at, and yes they should be done in the air, but from my experience on the ground is fine if you semi tighten them first...

[SupraFiend]

depends if they're hub centric wheels or not. If they're not hubcentric, absolutly has to be done in the air or the wheel will feel like it out of balance. I have a stick that wedges between the brake pedal and the frame rail under the drivers seat thats just the right length to lock up the brakes if I don't have someone around to step on themfor me when I torque the front in the air.