Lug nuts and torque and all that

[Kelly Hanson East]

Trailer Boat US mag this month has an article on the importance of correct torque on trailer lug nuts, but they completely ignore the issue of lube vs non-lube (which is pretty important in terms of correct torque.

Im in the "lube the threads, torque tight, and inspect hourly on the road" but I confess Kevin's mantra (search previous threads) about not-lubing and getting correct torque with dry threads is a lot more scientific than mine.

At the least they could have mentioned it though - maybe Ill drop them a line....

(From an empty Dulles airport en route west late pm)

[kmclemore]

Well, Steph, some folks like their nuts lubed and slippery, others prefer them dry. I like my nuts as they were supplied to me - dry. After all, I don't want to just strip off my threads... or, God forbid, break my stud or wrench my nuts off.

[K9Kampers]

OOOHH! I just hate it when that happens!

[Bransher]

Very clever Kevin, very clever indeed.

[pokerrick1]

Sick Puppy! - - - but VERY funny

Rick

[Kelly Hanson East]

Just to bookmark the info here in case someone reads this for info.

If you use any kind of lube on the lugnuts, you should NOT torque to a "dry" torque specification - this will overstretch the studs on your wheel.

Engineering-wise, this is horribly loose, but I spin the nuts down (with lube) with the wheel off the ground until the wheel is flush on the backing plate, drop the wheel back on the ground, and then tighten them about another 1/2 turn with a breaker bar in an alternate pattern. I tighten them to an experience level which I cant really describe here. Ive never had lug nuts come loose and they have never seized on me with this method.

And the British are dry nuts, indeed, established here...

[craiglaforce]

LOL did you used to write lyrics for AC/DC?

Great balls of fire!