Wheel Torque Findings....PLEASE READ!!

[JetTech]

Today I finally got around to rotating my tires for the first time and noticed some rather odd torque settings on the first wheel I removed. Some of the lug nuts spun off real easy and some were just adequate feeling. So I checked the torque on the other 3 wheels and found they ranged anywhere from 50 to 75 ft. lbs. A far cry from the 98 that Nissan calls for in the owners manual.

I would HIGHLY recommend everyone check your wheel torque because this could not only be considered dangerous but could also have a large impact on warped rotors. So far I have no rotor warpage problems with just over 7000 miles on my truck but usually improper wheel torque is the culprit for this problem.

Time to grab the torque wrenches all and let me know if anyone else finds low torque settings like I did.

[outahere]

Sounds like the dealer may have switched tires at one time, prior to delivery to you. At the factory they are usually installed with a calibrated air wrench, I would think.

[karlconnell]

I got a torque wrench the day after I was informed of the warped rotors on my truck.

Apparently, Nissan will be issuing a TSB related to the warped rotor issue by the way (which must mean that others have had the same problem as well).

Karl

[www.durocab.com]

Karl, impressed with awsome trailer set-up! How's that Titan pulling that thing?

[karlconnell]

Originally Posted by www.durocab.com

Karl, impressed with awsome trailer set-up! How's that Titan pulling that thing?

Many thanks durocab, we thoroughly enjoy both. The Titan pulls it great...60-65mph up 6-7% grades.

Karl

[stevnmd]

Hmm, tire pressure way off from the factory AND lug torque too low... I'll add retorquing them to my list of things to do this weekend.

[DJF1]

You will be amazed how many times I have to re torque my wheels on the race car! After EVERY run session I check the lugnuts. It is not uncommon on high stress to have this... I would imagine in a truck due to the weight, load and stress this to apply as well...
A torque wrench is always a handy thing to have around and check things out at least every two weeks...

[Memphis4x4]

Originally Posted by DJF1

You will be amazed how many times I have to re torque my wheels on the race car! After EVERY run session I check the lugnuts. It is not uncommon on high stress to have this... I would imagine in a truck due to the weight, load and stress this to apply as well...
A torque wrench is always a handy thing to have around and check things out at least every two weeks...

DJF1: On my 911, I had to change to the steel lug nuts for the track because of the heat expansion/contraction cycles that the aluminum ones go through versus the steel studs. On your race car are you using the aluminum ones.

With that said, doesn't the Titan have steel studs and steel lugs? This should minimize the heat expansion/contraction factor and just leave the factors that you mention.

[amati5]

Originally Posted by DJF1

You will be amazed how many times I have to re torque my wheels on the race car! After EVERY run session I check the lugnuts. It is not uncommon on high stress to have this... I would imagine in a truck due to the weight, load and stress this to apply as well...
A torque wrench is always a handy thing to have around and check things out at least every two weeks...

Danny, is that you from Rennlist?

[bestatchess]

Originally Posted by karlconnell

I got a torque wrench the day after I was informed of the warped rotors on my truck.

Apparently, Nissan will be issuing a TSB related to the warped rotor issue by the way (which must mean that others have had the same problem as well).

Karl

What torque wrench would you recommend? Craftsman has one for specific for wheel lugs, but its $140 and maybe I should get a Snap-On off of Ebay for that much $.

[bighawaii]

mines under 24-35 lbs. thanks alot for telling us, im gonna read the manual inside and out a few times lol. on page 8-37 is says after rotating wheels to retighten lug nuts at 600 miles. they should of suggested this for new trucks also.

[Austin]

Common sense tells you to re-torque lugnuts on any new wheels - especially alloy wheels - after a bit of usage. I'd re-torque at 100 and 500 miles, and every couple thousand after that until you get no movement on the torque wrench.

[karlconnell]

Originally Posted by bestatchess

What torque wrench would you recommend? Craftsman has one for specific for wheel lugs, but its $140 and maybe I should get a Snap-On off of Ebay for that much $.

I got the Craftsman (50-150ft. lb model I beleive) for $70 with a 9 inch extension for $9 and it works great. When it comes to a torque wrench I would prefer to buy new so you know what it's been put through at a place that is convenient, so I usually buy Craftsman. Snap-On is certainly good to but I don't know what their warranty policy is on torque wrenches.

Karl

[DJF1]

Originally Posted by amati5

Danny, is that you from Rennlist?

Yeap! Learning about the mighty TITAN! Need a tow truck

Memphis, I use steel lug nuts, I would not dream using the stock ones and at any rate they are not allowed anyway at PCA Club racing...still even with steel lug nuts I have to re-torque ( granted not by much) at least ones within a race day.

[bestatchess]

Originally Posted by karlconnell

I got the Craftsman (50-150ft. lb model I beleive) for $70 with a 9 inch extension for $9 and it works great. When it comes to a torque wrench I would prefer to buy new so you know what it's been put through at a place that is convenient, so I usually buy Craftsman. Snap-On is certainly good to but I don't know what their warranty policy is on torque wrenches.

Karl

O.K., thanks, off to Sears I go (hopefully before the wheels start falling off). I had one come off at about 35 MPH on an old Landcruiser after a shop rotated the tires, not cool at all.