Re: Lug and Axle Nut Torque

Posted by Tim Cole On 2014/4/5 20:09:42

There are torque tools for everything right down to torque screwdrivers for carburetors and fuel pumps.

If you want to spend the money you can buy a torque limiting extension from the NAPA catalogue. Good tire shops use them, but good shops also use torque wrenches. I've seen them being used, so not all places are a nightmare. Experienced mechanics have figured the approximate torque they are applying with a short burst from an impact.

The current preferred method is to torque threads wet, but wheel lugs are not so specified. The present methods for motors is torque to yield which is more uniform than a torque wrench. Rolls-Royce was using torque to yield as far back as the Ghost.

The objective with backing off on wheel bearings is to compensate for expansion. So the optimum amount depends on operating conditions. The ideal method is to measure endplay using a dial indicator; typical figures are less than .005.