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Guys, does anyone know the torque amount to tighten our wheel nuts on the RS4? Does anyone bother or do you all just tighten it as hard as you can? Thanks.

IIRC its 120nm for wheel bolts.

Yep, 120Nm for the RS4 8E, and 140Nm for the RS4 8D. From the Audi Workshop manual.

And NO, NOT as TIGHT AS YOU CAN. If you use excessive torque the bolts can actually come UNDONE.

Why? Because if you stress steel too much it hardens. Correct operation of bolts assumes that there is some elasticity in the material so that when you tighten them correctly they exert some 'self-tightening' due to the elasticity. If they're grossly overtightened esp. repeatedly, then they are so hard they don't have an elasticity (they've gone beyond their 'elastic limit') and so no matter how tight you do them up they can work loose.

Thanks all. I'll be getting a torque wrench and a proper hydraulic jack so I can take the wheels off for proper cleaning and to check on any future leaking shock (I don't have too much faith with this leaking shocks issue).

I'm looking at buying a torque wrench of Fleabay. Do I need a 1/2" or 3/8" one? And apart from buying one that goes up to the required 140nM, is there anything else I need to ensure?

I would go for the 1/2" one - it's less likely to shear.

I sheared a 3/8" drive socket while trying to undo the wheel nuts on a previous car (that had been done up with an air wrench by a tyre fitter).

Try MachineMart a stand alone torque wrench, then need a separate, thin walled socket. From memory its 13mm but sure others will confirm.

I thought it was 19mm?

Most Audi wheel bolts are 17mm.

Suggest you get a deep 6-point (as opposed to 12-point) socket, which means it's nice and long to get into the wheel bolt 'hole' without scuffing the wheel with the torque wrench itself and also 6-point stronger and 'looks' like a nut as opposed to a 12-point one which looks like a double star.

Re 3/8" vs. 1/2", 3/8" nicer to use but agree that unless you buy a top quality 3/8" drive (like SnapOn) then you're best with a 1/2" one for heavier use with wheel bolts.

Draper also do a plastic covered socket that stops any wheel damage. Works really well.

blimey, i never realised how much there was to know... to save me searching, does any know THE definitive model/make to get?

just ordered mine from draper tools come as a 3 socket set with internal and external nylon covering part number 59080 £41.59 inc p&p and vat. they also do a deeper socket set for £60 odd part number 40102

For those is Aust, this is what I found for a reasonable price around $90AUD:

Kincrome Micrometer Torque Wrench 1/2". #MTW150F
• Manufactured from nickel chrome plated alloy, 1/2â€

[quote="Ozrs4"]For those is Aust, this is what I found for a reasonable price around $90AUD:

Kincrome Micrometer Torque Wrench 1/2". #MTW150F
• Manufactured from nickel chrome plated alloy, 1/2â€