Proper Lug nut torquing questions. - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

IPT · 11-23-2012, 07:43 PM

So I am going to buy a torque wrench, (and I am open to suggestions). I do have a question about torquing our Camaros lugs though (what amount first off - don't need to do it until spring, guess I can look it up before then

).

So lets say it's 150ft/lbs, what happens if I do it at 175ft/lbs? I mean, in the old days I used to just use the 4 way lug wrench and crank her down about as tight as I could go. My guess is I was over torquing them, but who knows. Do they recommend using the wrench to make sure you are at least at the minimum safe levels, or is there a reason not to go over it? Also, will the amounts change with aftermarket wheels vs stock?

flyer08 · 11-23-2012, 08:16 PM

I saw a bf deal on here for $99 for digital torq wrench. Now sure what they usually go for though

IPT · 11-23-2012, 08:20 PM

Yeah, saw that and a few others mentioned it. It only torques to 150ft/lbs though. Not sure what the Camaro even needs but I think my Trailblazer requires 175ft/lbs.

latino2SS · 11-23-2012, 08:29 PM

Recommended torque spec is 180ft/lbs. At least that's what my Foose wheels were torqued at after I bought them.

FEN · 11-23-2012, 08:45 PM

Let's stop the misinformation. Proper torque is 140ft lbs. Over torquing can damage the studs, lug nuts and wheels. There are quite a few members (including myself) running aftermarket wheels with locking lug nuts that torque to 100ft lbs. but the factory rec torque is 140ft lbs.

latino2SS · 11-23-2012, 09:16 PM

Thanks for the clarification. Need to talk to my wheel shop. smh

Fish-man · 11-23-2012, 09:20 PM

READ Your owners manual. Gm changed lugnuts in 2012, and some require less torque than FEN says above.

FEN · 11-23-2012, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish-man

READ Your owners manual. Gm changed lugnuts in 2012, and some require less torque than FEN says above.

Yeah, I was going by the 2010 owners manual which states 140ft lbs. I have been running at 100 ft lbs with locks on all studs since '09 and never had any loosen.

IPT · 11-23-2012, 10:24 PM

Is the torque amount determined by the studs then? If so, then really no matter what wheels you run you, stick to what the OEM specs were?

2SS45th · 11-23-2012, 10:30 PM

No, the lug nuts are also part of it. With the Modulares I have, I split the difference between the 140, and the 100 that my car came set to. Modulare told me that was fine, and the lugs have stayed set. Just check them frequently, that way you know they are staying. As far as the wench, I got a Craftsman. Works well, and didn't break the bank.

Brutal SS · 11-24-2012, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FEN

Let's stop the misinformation. Proper torque is 140ft lbs. Over torquing can damage the studs, lug nuts and wheels. There are quite a few members (including myself) running aftermarket wheels with locking lug nuts that torque to 100ft lbs. but the factory rec torque is 140ft lbs.

This!

For 2010-11 that is.

dcplus14 · 11-24-2012, 12:12 PM

Agreed with post above, Read the manual, my 2012 SS with the lug nuts which have the blue markings mean I only torque to 110.

Fish-man · 11-24-2012, 04:20 PM

Fyi, whatever coating is on the cone of the lug is a major determiner of toque. Different coatings have inherently different 'slipperyness'... and what is important is clamp load. The only way to determine clamp load is to test it on a machine. All the oems (and probably many aftermarket lug sellers) use a similar machine to find this... anyone else is guessing.

bannonm · 11-24-2012, 08:06 PM

I used to own Craftsman torque wrenches until I had one lock up on me. I thought no big deal, lifetime warranty on Crapsman tools... nope, 90 days. Wrench was less than a year old. Top it off they are Chinese made.

So I went searching for some new ones and someone on this board mentioned Precision Instruments. They are local to me so I called and was impressed by the sales guy. First off, they are made in the USA in Chicago. They are repairable, very accurate, and inexpensive compared to Snap-On. He told me they could build one for me and pay MSRP, or go through one of their resellers and get it discounted and quicker. I bought a 40-250# 1/2" wrench for $165 (MSRP $250). All steel, no plastic parts like Crapsman. Very happy with it, going to buy a small one for inch pounds.

11-23-2012, 07:43 PM	#1
IPT Drives: '02 Trailblazer, '12 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: AK Posts: 819	Proper Lug nut torquing questions. So I am going to buy a torque wrench, (and I am open to suggestions). I do have a question about torquing our Camaros lugs though (what amount first off - don't need to do it until spring, guess I can look it up before then ). So lets say it's 150ft/lbs, what happens if I do it at 175ft/lbs? I mean, in the old days I used to just use the 4 way lug wrench and crank her down about as tight as I could go. My guess is I was over torquing them, but who knows. Do they recommend using the wrench to make sure you are at least at the minimum safe levels, or is there a reason not to go over it? Also, will the amounts change with aftermarket wheels vs stock?

11-23-2012, 08:29 PM	#4
latino2SS Drives: 2012 IOM 2SS/RS L99 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: 916 Posts: 153	Recommended torque spec is 180ft/lbs. At least that's what my Foose wheels were torqued at after I bought them. __________________ 2012 IOM 2SS/RS L99 Flowmaster Outlaw Axelback Exhaust, CAI Intake, Apex Scoop, Vmax TB, Elite Catch Can, Eibach Springs, CF VIS AMS Hood, Heritage Grille, Havoc Diffuser, ZL1 Rockers, ACS T4 Splitter, Glossy CF Anvil Spoiler, Showstopper Side Markers, FR Glossy Style 41's, IOM Calipers, 1LE Suede Steering Wheel, CFD Tap Shifter & other stuff.

11-23-2012, 08:45 PM	#5
FEN Drives: BLACK 2SS/RS Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 1,092	Let's stop the misinformation. Proper torque is 140ft lbs. Over torquing can damage the studs, lug nuts and wheels. There are quite a few members (including myself) running aftermarket wheels with locking lug nuts that torque to 100ft lbs. but the factory rec torque is 140ft lbs. __________________ CCW polished 505a's Front 20x10 w/275/40/20's Rear 20x11.5 w/305/35/20's Eibach 1" Pro Spring Kit Factory GFX MPD1 spoiler painted bowties 15% tint

11-23-2012, 09:16 PM	#6
latino2SS Drives: 2012 IOM 2SS/RS L99 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: 916 Posts: 153	Thanks for the clarification. Need to talk to my wheel shop. smh __________________ 2012 IOM 2SS/RS L99 Flowmaster Outlaw Axelback Exhaust, CAI Intake, Apex Scoop, Vmax TB, Elite Catch Can, Eibach Springs, CF VIS AMS Hood, Heritage Grille, Havoc Diffuser, ZL1 Rockers, ACS T4 Splitter, Glossy CF Anvil Spoiler, Showstopper Side Markers, FR Glossy Style 41's, IOM Calipers, 1LE Suede Steering Wheel, CFD Tap Shifter & other stuff.

11-23-2012, 10:30 PM	#10
2SS45th Drives: 11 Seconds or Faster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Arvada, Colorado Posts: 2,797 View My Garage	No, the lug nuts are also part of it. With the Modulares I have, I split the difference between the 140, and the 100 that my car came set to. Modulare told me that was fine, and the lugs have stayed set. Just check them frequently, that way you know they are staying. As far as the wench, I got a Craftsman. Works well, and didn't break the bank. __________________ I Ain't About That Stock Life.

11-23-2012, 08:16 PM	#2
flyer08 Account Suspended Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 3,418	I saw a bf deal on here for $99 for digital torq wrench. Now sure what they usually go for though

11-23-2012, 08:20 PM	#3
IPT Drives: '02 Trailblazer, '12 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: AK Posts: 819	Yeah, saw that and a few others mentioned it. It only torques to 150ft/lbs though. Not sure what the Camaro even needs but I think my Trailblazer requires 175ft/lbs.

11-23-2012, 09:20 PM	#7
Fish-man Drives: too many to say! Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: S.E. Michigan Posts: 1,016	READ Your owners manual. Gm changed lugnuts in 2012, and some require less torque than FEN says above.

11-23-2012, 10:24 PM	#9
IPT Drives: '02 Trailblazer, '12 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: AK Posts: 819	Is the torque amount determined by the studs then? If so, then really no matter what wheels you run you, stick to what the OEM specs were?

11-24-2012, 12:12 PM	#12
dcplus14 Drives: '12 Camaro 2SS/RS/Hurst Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: San Diego Posts: 480 View My Garage	Agreed with post above, Read the manual, my 2012 SS with the lug nuts which have the blue markings mean I only torque to 110. __________________ 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS: Black on Black, Hurst [AAC DRL LED's, AAC LED's for trunk, cabin, license plate, CAI Intake, RX Catch Can, Skip shift eliminator, Pedders Sub-Frame Inserts, Pedders Radius Rod Inserts, Pedders Rack & Pinion Bushing, 1LE front and rear sway bars]

11-24-2012, 04:20 PM	#13
Fish-man Drives: too many to say! Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: S.E. Michigan Posts: 1,016	Fyi, whatever coating is on the cone of the lug is a major determiner of toque. Different coatings have inherently different 'slipperyness'... and what is important is clamp load. The only way to determine clamp load is to test it on a machine. All the oems (and probably many aftermarket lug sellers) use a similar machine to find this... anyone else is guessing.

11-24-2012, 08:06 PM	#14
bannonm Drives: 2011 2SS/RS M6 VR Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 1,536	I used to own Craftsman torque wrenches until I had one lock up on me. I thought no big deal, lifetime warranty on Crapsman tools... nope, 90 days. Wrench was less than a year old. Top it off they are Chinese made. So I went searching for some new ones and someone on this board mentioned Precision Instruments. They are local to me so I called and was impressed by the sales guy. First off, they are made in the USA in Chicago. They are repairable, very accurate, and inexpensive compared to Snap-On. He told me they could build one for me and pay MSRP, or go through one of their resellers and get it discounted and quicker. I bought a 40-250# 1/2" wrench for $165 (MSRP $250). All steel, no plastic parts like Crapsman. Very happy with it, going to buy a small one for inch pounds. __________________