Lug Nut torque - reminder to check after service (1 Viewer)

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Nov 2, 2021
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Charleston, sC
Recently had new tires installed at the dealer. Asked the dealer to put all 4 to 42psi. After leaving dealer I check pressures with on board monitor 37,44,39,41. So wait until next morning and set the pressures correctly. I always check my lug nut torques after service. 2 foot 1/2" breaker bar and I thought I was going to snap the studs!! I was pissed already. Next the inevitable, I grab the wheel lock key, line it up and begin to slowly put pressure on the bar. You know what happened, key internals strip. Called dealer, closing at noon, will have to wait until Monday (it was Saturday). So drive around for 2 days with wheels I can't get off my truck, even if I wanted to. Went to dealer Monday and asked them to replace the key or remove the locks and install a new set. They removed and installed a new set on their dime. Parts department was out of lug nuts or I would have bought 4 to replace the locks. So, drive back home, fight all the remaining lug nuts and re-torque to 97ftlbs. Just a warning. I really feel bad for anybody that has to change a flat with severely over tightened lugs. Was hard for me and I was using the 2 foot breaker. Ordering 4 lug nuts as soon as I find a deal going on.
 
I usually tell the shop to torque the lugs to whatever the spec is. I tell them I’ll be calling them back if my wife has a flat tire and can’t get the lugs off.

Plus most shops will zip the lugs on with the impact and then improperly use a torque wrench to “check” to make sure it’s at least to the spec. When it’s really double the torque spec.

This is why anytime I have my car worked on by someone other than myself I’m always standing outside the garage watching them. This is for my safety and my family’s safety as well.
 
Yah, that sucks. I always loosen and retorque my lugs after any shop touches them. Also, I might be reading you wrong, but lugnut torque should be checked with a torque wrench, not a breaker bar.
 
Yah, that sucks. I always loosen and retorque my lugs after any shop touches them. Also, I might be reading you wrong, but lugnut torque should be checked with a torque wrench, not a breaker bar.
I read it as he was loosening the lugs with the breaker, to then retorque properly, he had a hard time loosening even with a breaker bar.

My concern is weakening the studs by over-torque, causing failure of the studs and wheel comes off. Many cases of toyota sheared studs, especially with the "flat" lug nuts instead of conical nuts, you go from just-right to over torque quick.
 
Yah, that sucks. I always loosen and retorque my lugs after any shop touches them. Also, I might be reading you wrong, but lugnut torque should be checked with a torque wrench, not a breaker bar.
Had to use a breaker to get the shop tightened nuts off. Used my torque wrench to retighten to spec.
 

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