Is it bad to over torque lug nuts?


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Excessively tightened lug nuts can strip the threads, distort brake rotors, damage the wheel, and possibly shear off the lug stud. Insufficiently tightened lug nuts can come loose, with catastrophic consequences.

What should wheel lug nuts be torqued at?

And when you look at that, and realize that the average torque required on a lug nut, to hold the wheel on, is 80 to 90 ft-lbs, well you can imagine how over-tightened some of these lug nuts are. Now that’s a problem because it almost guarantees warped brake rotors.

What is the torque on lug nuts on a BMW x5?

So looking up the various torque specs noted on the web, it appears the BMW recommended consensus is 140 NM or 103 Ft-lbs.

How do you tighten a BMW wheel nut?

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What size are BMW lug nuts?

17mm 14×1. This is a super tough wheel stud nut in a standard 17mm size. The zinc finish is durable and bright so your eye catches it quick (important during fast pitstop tire changes). 17mm is the standard BMW bolt head size so you won’t have to buy extra sockets.

How do you set a torque wrench?

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Should you use a torque wrench for lug nuts?

Yes, when possible use a torque wrench for wheel nuts and bolts. It’s not safe to under tighten a nut/bolt and it may be damaging to over tighten (or you can’t loosen it later). Also you can/need to retighten wheel nuts and bolts after a short time to check if they remain tight after the initial tightening.

How tight should lug nuts be without torque wrench?

With your fingers, tighten the lug nuts as tightly as you can. Lower the car back to the ground. Again using the tire iron, tighten each nut in order. Use both hands and only tighten each a little at a time.

What type of wrench should be used to tighten a bolt to a specified degree of tightness?

A torque wrench is used where the tightness of screws and bolts is crucial. It allows the operator to set the torque applied to the fastener so it can be matched to the specifications for a particular application. This permits proper tension and loading of all parts.

Should wheel nuts be greased?

Ideally you shouldn’t put any grease on the threads or on the contact face with the hub – as number cruncher says this is basically a friction coupling to your wheel. Torque should go through this and not through the wheel bolts. The bolts are to provide compression, not to carry braking/acceleration forces.

Can over tightened lug nuts cause vibration?

Damage caused by over-tightening This stretching can also cause the wheel nuts to work loose. Disc brake rotors and brake drums can distort, causing steering wheel shake and shuddering when braking which can have knock-on effects in damaging other related components.

How do you measure torque on lug nuts?

Attach each lug nut by hand, and then use a manual torque wrench to tighten until you hear the ‘click’ sound that indicates you’ve reached the right amount of torque. The numberโ€”usually in the 75-100 lb-ft rangeโ€”should be easy to locate in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

Are all BMW lug bolts the same?

The originally equipped 2022 BMW i4 lug bolts are the same, but aftermarket ones are various in styles, seat types, materials, and even length. Many customers who intend to change wheels usually end up replacing the OE lug bolts with aftermarket 2022 BWM i4 lug bolts.

What size socket fits a BMW lug nut?

You need a metric (17mm) wrench/socket.

What is the torque spec for aluminum wheels?

Aluminum wheels should have the lug nuts torqued to 70 ft. lbs. The beadlocks should be 20-22 ft. lbs.

How do you guess torque without a torque wrench?

YouTube video

Can you over tighten with a torque wrench?

Over-tightening can cause damage to the fastener, and under-tightening can result in making the item you are attaching or assembling structurally weak and potentially unsafe for use. This is true for car parts and for assembling stationary items, as well.

How many times should you click a torque wrench?

One click is enough When you’re tightening a bolt, one click is enough. Many users allow their wrenches to click more than once, but this means they’re applying added torque to the bolts. Use your tool in a smooth, steady fashion and let it click just once.

Is it better to over torque or under torque?

The Importance of Proper Torque Typically, an under torqued bolt will deform and be unable to provide as much clamping force as needed. An over torqued bolt will break.

Do tire shops torque lug nuts?

Most good shops will run the lugs up snug with an impact wrench and finish tightening the wheel with a torque wrench.

How much torque is too much torque?

Most 2WD road cars โ€“ even with large grippy tires โ€“ can’t handle more than 400-500 lb/ft of torque. AWD cars can handle as much as 600 lb/ft without losing traction.

Should you tighten lug nuts after new tires?

Lug nuts must be torqued to the manufacturer’s recommended values, and they must be re-torqued to those values after driving approximately 50 to 100 miles on your new tires after the tire service. Both under and over tightening can be dangerous.

Can I change my tires without a torque wrench?

A torque wrench is not explicitly necessary; the spare jack and tire iron that come in the trunk of every car are sufficient to change a tire in normal cases. If this was the case, car manufacturers would have to start including torque wrenches with the car in the event of a flat tire.

Do I really need a torque wrench?

If you plan to do any major work on your engine or on some major powertrain components, you absolutely need a torque wrench. Overtightening cylinder-head bolts, for instance, can easily cause expensive damage and catastrophic coolant loss. Too-tight exhaust manifold bolts can cause the manifold to crack.

Can you’re torque your own tires?

Professional car mechanics can re-torque your tires, but if you prefer to take the DIY route, it can be done. You will most likely need to have a torque wrench that can identify how much force you’re using to avoid over or under-tightening the lug nuts.

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