Wheel Bolt Torque Settings

[Joshie]

I broke my locking wheel bolt keys and was lucky that AmD had a spare.

I was advised to use a torque wrench next time and so I nipped to Halfords and bought one.

I was told that 120 is the setting but I don't know if this is lb/ft or Nm. [img]images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Can anyone help?

[s2driver]

120 Nm

[Joshie]

Thanks Lee - I bust another wheel bolt security key trying to get the last of the secutity bolts off. Had the presence of mind to undo the other three before attempting to remove the stubborn one which was a smart move as the key split attempting it.

The "hammer-the-socket-over-the-security-bolt" technique luckily worked.

Now looking for a new set of security bolts - anyone point me in the right direction?

Interestingly the 120Nm setting appears almost not tight enough. But I'm using a professional torque wrench which takes all the guesswork out of fitting wheel bolts.

[s2driver]

I always use a torquewrench set to 120Nm for wheel bolts/nuts and have never lost fastener pre-load (they never slackened). I also try to avoid tyre fitters that still use air wrenches to fully tighten the bolts. Most of the professional tyre fitters only use an air wrench set to a very low torque to spin the nuts on and then do all final torqueing with a proper torquewrench.

I use McGuard wheel locks which are very robust and came out top in the Auto Express test results. I have never damaged the locking key with correct torqueing.

Incidentally, I recently converted my wheel bolts to studs with nuts. The bolts provided with my OZ wheels were too short and only offered 3 mm thread engagement (2 turns) [img]images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] scary stuff indeed and worth checking if people have after market wheels fitted. OZ had taken no allowance for the bolt having to pass through the brake disk before it engages in the hub. For the nut conversion the compatible locker for my wheels was one suitable for a Subaru Impreza which has the correct thread and seating face profile. Taking wheels on and off is now much easier and the tamperproof nuts also offer much more locking key engagement which is always a good thing. The attached picture is not too clear but you can see the locking wheel nut in the top right position.

Lee

[Dippy]

Now looking for a new set of security bolts - anyone point me in the right direction?

Ian,

I have a spare set you can have.

Dave

[Joshie]

Thanks Dave, [img]images/graemlins/thumb.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img]

I'll send you a PM to arrange.

[Joshie]

I always use a torquewrench set to 120Nm for wheel bolts/nuts and have never lost fastener pre-load (they never slackened). I also try to avoid tyre fitters that still use air wrenches to fully tighten the bolts. Most of the professional tyre fitters only use an air wrench set to a very low torque to spin the nuts on and then do all final torqueing with a proper torquewrench.

The torque wrench is certainly better than my previous method of "jumping-on-the-wrench-until-the-bolts-squeal" technique. [img]images/graemlins/033102bad_1_prv.gif[/img]

Interesting info about tyre fitters too.

Certainly studs would make easier to refit the wheels - real pain trying to hold the wheel in place and then struggling to get the bolt to engage on the threads.

[Dippy]

The torque wrench is certainly better than my previous method of "jumping-on-the-wrench-until-the-bolts-squeal" technique. [img]images/graemlins/033102bad_1_prv.gif[/img]

[img]images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] You're serious aren't you! [img]images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]

I'm not bloody surprised they broke!

[Joshie]

The torque wrench is certainly better than my previous method of "jumping-on-the-wrench-until-the-bolts-squeal" technique. [img]images/graemlins/033102bad_1_prv.gif[/img]

[img]images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] You're serious aren't you! [img]images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]

I'm not bloody surprised they broke!

I may be a bit gung ho but surely you don't think..................... [img]images/graemlins/062802beat_prv.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/biggrin3.gif[/img]

[Dippy]

[img]images/graemlins/033102ass_1_prv.gif[/img]

[Joshie]

[img]images/graemlins/033102ass_1_prv.gif[/img]

I'll take that as a no then [img]images/graemlins/033102bigblink_1_prv.gif[/img] [img]images/graemlins/biggrin3.gif[/img]

[Dippy]

[img]images/graemlins/jump3.gif[/img]