dumb question... does the wheel have to be torqued? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

camaroitalia · 07-27-2011, 04:55 PM

if i were to take off my wheels to clean them etc. and when i put them back on do i have to torque them to spec (i know we did this in the body shop at school) or can i just use the tire iron and make them tight?

thanks lol

The Stig · 07-27-2011, 04:56 PM

The manual says 140 lb/ft. But mine are done to just 100. So "technically" you should, but it's a bit excessive.

camaroitalia · 07-27-2011, 05:01 PM

so would just making them tight to where i cant really turn them anywhere be ok and safe? i dont have the tool that tells how many ib/ft

The Stig · 07-27-2011, 05:05 PM

You *should* be fine doing it that way.

Apex Motorsports · 07-27-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaroitalia

so would just making them tight to where i cant really turn them anywhere be ok and safe? i dont have the tool that tells how many ib/ft

Buy a torque wrench and do it right. They come in handy for lots of other things as well.

kmcd · 07-27-2011, 05:37 PM

I'd still use a torque wrench if were you. Whether you torque them to 140 (spec), 120 or 100 is not as important as torquing them all the same.

You can get a wrench for not much money at Sears, Harbor Freight or Pep Boys. When you get right down to it, a man needs a torque wrench.

Angrybird 12 · 07-27-2011, 05:51 PM

I have had a set of rotors on my HHR warped by a tire store that didn't torque the lug nuts and they didn't use the star method for tightening. I watched as this teenager that must have thought he was in NASCAR tighten them with an impact wrench in a circular pattern. I complained to the manager but he swore that it wouldn't make any difference. First time I applied the brakes the steering wheel shook violently. When I got home I loosened them and Retorqued them, but it was too late. It still has a slight vibration. Before i had the new tires put on it was as smooth as glass. I replaced the rotors and it is smooth again....Now that tire store is out of business.

BackinBlackSS/RS · 07-27-2011, 05:54 PM

Torque wrench FTW!!!

kevin1106 · 07-27-2011, 05:59 PM

I just impact mine on. Been doing it that way for years.. Have yet lose a wheel. Lol

=Stephens= · 07-27-2011, 06:05 PM

Primarily it is for custom wheels (not steel). When you drive on them when newly installed, the wheels loosen the lugs a slight bit, even when torqued. So they have to be re-torqued again after about 50 miles.

Using an impact works, but you can't be precise on how many foot pounds you are using.

kmcd · 07-27-2011, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by =Stephens=

...When you drive on them when newly installed, the wheels loosen the lugs a slight bit, even when torqued. So they have to be re-torqued again after about 50 miles...

I check mine at every oil change. You'd be surprised how many times I've had to re-torque the rears (even after 30K miles).

EDIT: BTW, it's not a dumb question.

jamie · 07-27-2011, 06:48 PM

you can get a 1/2 torque wrench at harbor freight for $10. On special right now. I keep mine at 120 Between the 100 and the factory 140. (Plus it works on all three cars at that setting) I would recommend setting them equally with a torque wrench. A lot of guys that use the just snug them down method either don't tighten enough and loose a lug nut, or they over torque them with the breaker bar and then have a hell of a time when they are stuck on the side of the road with a flat...

camaroitalia · 07-27-2011, 08:19 PM

ok thanks everyone!

Transfusion · 07-27-2011, 08:23 PM

thanks, that's another question that's been rattling around in my head that I don't have to ask

07-27-2011, 04:55 PM	#1
camaroitalia Go Harder Than Baltimore! Drives: 2010 CGM Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Baltimore Posts: 3,835	dumb question... does the wheel have to be torqued? if i were to take off my wheels to clean them etc. and when i put them back on do i have to torque them to spec (i know we did this in the body shop at school) or can i just use the tire iron and make them tight? thanks lol __________________

07-27-2011, 04:56 PM	#2
The Stig knows 2 facts about ducks Drives: ...and they're both wrong Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The HMS Invincible Posts: 25,072 View My Garage	The manual says 140 lb/ft. But mine are done to just 100. So "technically" you should, but it's a bit excessive. __________________

07-27-2011, 05:01 PM	#3
camaroitalia Go Harder Than Baltimore! Drives: 2010 CGM Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Baltimore Posts: 3,835	so would just making them tight to where i cant really turn them anywhere be ok and safe? i dont have the tool that tells how many ib/ft __________________

07-27-2011, 05:05 PM	#4
The Stig knows 2 facts about ducks Drives: ...and they're both wrong Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The HMS Invincible Posts: 25,072 View My Garage	You should be fine doing it that way. __________________

07-27-2011, 05:37 PM	#6
kmcd 1,425 hp / supercharged Drives: (2020 2SS/M6) (2025 GMC Yukon) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,105	I'd still use a torque wrench if were you. Whether you torque them to 140 (spec), 120 or 100 is not as important as torquing them all the same. You can get a wrench for not much money at Sears, Harbor Freight or Pep Boys. When you get right down to it, a man needs a torque wrench. __________________

07-27-2011, 05:51 PM	#7
Angrybird 12 7 year Cancer Survivor! Drives: 17 Cruze RS, 07 G6 GT, 99 Astro Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 21,546	I have had a set of rotors on my HHR warped by a tire store that didn't torque the lug nuts and they didn't use the star method for tightening. I watched as this teenager that must have thought he was in NASCAR tighten them with an impact wrench in a circular pattern. I complained to the manager but he swore that it wouldn't make any difference. First time I applied the brakes the steering wheel shook violently. When I got home I loosened them and Retorqued them, but it was too late. It still has a slight vibration. Before i had the new tires put on it was as smooth as glass. I replaced the rotors and it is smooth again....Now that tire store is out of business. __________________ Cancer's a bitch! Enjoy life while you can! LIVE, LOVE, DRIVE... The Bird is the word!

07-27-2011, 05:54 PM	#8
BackinBlackSS/RS Go Blue!!!!! Drives: 2012 Cruze LT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 23,290	Torque wrench FTW!!!

07-27-2011, 05:59 PM	#9
kevin1106 Drives: 2015 ZO6 3LZ Stage 2 A8 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: La plata MD Posts: 2,299 View My Garage	I just impact mine on. Been doing it that way for years.. Have yet lose a wheel. Lol

07-27-2011, 06:05 PM	#10
=Stephens= Drives: 2011 LS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Kearney, Nebraska Posts: 3,544 View My Garage	Primarily it is for custom wheels (not steel). When you drive on them when newly installed, the wheels loosen the lugs a slight bit, even when torqued. So they have to be re-torqued again after about 50 miles. Using an impact works, but you can't be precise on how many foot pounds you are using.

07-27-2011, 06:48 PM	#12
jamie Drives: 2011 cyber gray 1LT Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 141 View My Garage	you can get a 1/2 torque wrench at harbor freight for $10. On special right now. I keep mine at 120 Between the 100 and the factory 140. (Plus it works on all three cars at that setting) I would recommend setting them equally with a torque wrench. A lot of guys that use the just snug them down method either don't tighten enough and loose a lug nut, or they over torque them with the breaker bar and then have a hell of a time when they are stuck on the side of the road with a flat...

07-27-2011, 08:19 PM	#13
camaroitalia Go Harder Than Baltimore! Drives: 2010 CGM Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Baltimore Posts: 3,835	ok thanks everyone! __________________

07-27-2011, 08:23 PM	#14
Transfusion Drives: 1SS Summit White Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: http://www.vietnamwomensmemorial.org Posts: 685	thanks, that's another question that's been rattling around in my head that I don't have to ask

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