Lets Talk About Wheel Torque
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,555
Likes: 257
From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Lets Talk About Wheel Torque
Sort of a spin off of the "Corvette Wreck" thread, which has gotten me worried.
Do you torque your wheels? How much? What is the safe range?
I am awaiting a response from Cragar as well.
Do you torque your wheels? How much? What is the safe range?
I am awaiting a response from Cragar as well.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,555
Likes: 257
From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Re: Lets Talk About Wheel Torque (johns73)
I was told at a local tire shop 100 ft lbs on all wheels and a retorque on alloy's
[Modified by OHSIXX, 3:19 PM 5/14/2004]
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
From: Northern Virginia
Re: Lets Talk About Wheel Torque (1970 Dave)
taht was my car that got wrecked, and when i worked at a tire shop, we used torque sticks that were for the 60-80 range depending on the size of the car bigger cars being higher torque requirements ie: trucks and vans i hope that helps, i think im gonna carry my torque wrench with me everywehre i go from now on :(
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,555
Likes: 257
From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Re: Lets Talk About Wheel Torque (SpyderD)
Just checked my 72 Manual and it says 75 ft lbs, but I wonder how aftermarket wheels and spacers would impact that?
Just guessing, but I think the torque would need to be higher than 75 ft lbs.
[Modified by OHSIXX, 3:56 PM 5/14/2004]
Just guessing, but I think the torque would need to be higher than 75 ft lbs.
[Modified by OHSIXX, 3:56 PM 5/14/2004]
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Re: Lets Talk About Wheel Torque (OHSIXX)
I never remember what the book says so I've been doing 105 on my clicker TW since the 80's and my front studs are still my original 79's rears I have 1/2 inch and they are 105 also
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Re: Lets Talk About Wheel Torque (OHSIXX)
Bolt torque depends more on the size and type of stud/bolt than on anything else. 65/75 pounds would be about right for a 7/16 stud in good shape that hasn't been stretched or damaged. 100 is about right for a 1/2 incher.
On every race car I've ever been involved with, we backed off and re-torqued the wheels after EVERY session. Probably overkill, but we never lost a wheel!
Hans
On every race car I've ever been involved with, we backed off and re-torqued the wheels after EVERY session. Probably overkill, but we never lost a wheel!
Hans
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: Lets Talk About Wheel Torque (SteveG75)
If you hammer the hell out of any bolt, well no crap sherlock it certainly will fail....but I guess it a touchy feely type thing, unless you love wasting time....
over the decades I have never lost a wheel stud by my method..but it requires a minit's concentration of what in hell you are doing, and familiarity with YOUR tools...
I can assure you the typical mechanicl engineer allows for a 3x error factor either way on all sorts of specs....and most any reasonable torque will for fine forever....65-75-105 whatever is within range...and will not damage studs or nuts....aluminum or steel wheel....
now having said that....it's most obvious that a samller stud is not as strong as a larger one....and that racing is more severe than street driving depending on circumstances.....like speeds, curves, road surfaces, and tons of outher variables....
I say stories of wheels falling off are maybe/probably true, but when the use of spacers, and other variables are included in the reality equation...sorry ...
but 4-5 taps on a snug nut is well enough....
GENE
over the decades I have never lost a wheel stud by my method..but it requires a minit's concentration of what in hell you are doing, and familiarity with YOUR tools...
I can assure you the typical mechanicl engineer allows for a 3x error factor either way on all sorts of specs....and most any reasonable torque will for fine forever....65-75-105 whatever is within range...and will not damage studs or nuts....aluminum or steel wheel....
now having said that....it's most obvious that a samller stud is not as strong as a larger one....and that racing is more severe than street driving depending on circumstances.....like speeds, curves, road surfaces, and tons of outher variables....
I say stories of wheels falling off are maybe/probably true, but when the use of spacers, and other variables are included in the reality equation...sorry ...
but 4-5 taps on a snug nut is well enough....
GENE
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 10,258
Likes: 1
From: Calif.
Re: Lets Talk About Wheel Torque (OHSIXX)
Holy crap. Some of you guys are using 100+ lb. ft.? Man, I'd seriously be worried about stripping the stud out of the hub with that kind of torque. But hey, that's just me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Re: Lets Talk About Wheel Torque (The Dude)
I use an IR 231 "Thunder Gun" and turn it to #4 and then do 2 more raps at
#5 after intial tighteneing! (have checked this to be consistantly between 70-80 ft/lbs on my 1/2" studs.)
#5 after intial tighteneing! (have checked this to be consistantly between 70-80 ft/lbs on my 1/2" studs.)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 1
From: "Too Low, Too Fast, Too Loud" TX
Re: Lets Talk About Wheel Torque (The Dude)
You guys will freak out when you hear this...had a flat on the 97 Suburban last week...my dad was with my mom and my wife and our 10mos baby girl. They were at the mall and came out and hate a flat. He tried to break the lugs loose and could not do it..not bad for a 70 y/o man..hehe! Least he tried. Well I got called out there and when I got on the tire X tool... I COULD NOT BREAK EM! I am 39 y/o and in not too bad a shape..I said, What the hell..had to end up holding the stock burb tire iron in place and my dad got on it with all his weight and nothing..he started jumping on it and they FINALLY Broke loose! The paint on the lug wrench was literally peeling off due to the torque having to be applied!
Went to Discount Tire..good ppl. and told them our delimma. They informed my for that year..GM REQUIRED 140 LBS OF TORQUE ON LUGS FOR MY ALLOYS...I SAID, WHAT THE HELL! :eek:
They told me they could not torque any less due to liablility issues..ie, wheel coming off and then have some litigation..no no! I said..well, ok..i guess. So know I have a break over bar in the burb..so if ever this happens again...I will be prepared!
[Modified by 81' Corvette Guy, 10:22 PM 5/14/2004]
Went to Discount Tire..good ppl. and told them our delimma. They informed my for that year..GM REQUIRED 140 LBS OF TORQUE ON LUGS FOR MY ALLOYS...I SAID, WHAT THE HELL! :eek:
They told me they could not torque any less due to liablility issues..ie, wheel coming off and then have some litigation..no no! I said..well, ok..i guess. So know I have a break over bar in the burb..so if ever this happens again...I will be prepared!
[Modified by 81' Corvette Guy, 10:22 PM 5/14/2004]
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Re: Lets Talk About Wheel Torque (Solid LT1)
Solid LT1 I've always used 105 FP without any trouble My air gun is set to 90 and then I use the clicker :chevy
Like I said my front studs are from 79 and on the rear I have 1/2 because of my big adapters to run 11X17 wheels with 315/35/17 tires Now I have 9X17 fronts with 265's i used to have 275's front's on 9.5 wheels.
I have real faith in them.
Like I said my front studs are from 79 and on the rear I have 1/2 because of my big adapters to run 11X17 wheels with 315/35/17 tires Now I have 9X17 fronts with 265's i used to have 275's front's on 9.5 wheels.
I have real faith in them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 1
From: San Diego CA
Re: Lets Talk About Wheel Torque (gkull)
Wow! Next thing you know someone will have a torque postulation from Nasa. I guess my arm is calibrated becuase in 20 years of working on cars I have never used anything other than a breaker bar. Been quite safe. Guess I should buy a 50-100 ft/lb torque wrench.