Wheel nut torque ?
 

What is a reasonably value to use on the wheel nuts of my wife's 36 pickup. Please note that is really a roadster with a colonial cab on it so its got car wheels on it.

Ta.
D.

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

I like 65# torque.

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

Front or rear? There is a considerable difference!!
Phil
NZ

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

Do you mean the ones that hold the rim to the drum or the ones that hold the drum/hub assembly to the axle (rear) or spindle (front)?

Charlie Stephens

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

Actually - All of them - I just want to make sure they are all done up appropriately given the lack of use the vehicle has had.
Many thanks.
D.

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

1949-1951 Ford per shop manual- 65-75#

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

I have to think about the millions upon millions of times these nuts were installed without the use of a torque wrench. Don't recall any issues being reported.

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

Tight, but not red face tight.
Martin.

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

Drums tight enough to get loose with tire iron. Rotors look up the Torque Specs.

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

I use about 75 ft lbs. I tend to use a torque wrench purely because I have a really nice one I bought for next to nothing and get a kick out of using it.

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

I use a torque wrench on all my cars now. Had a tire dealer over tighten the nuts on a Miata one time and getting them off was quite an experience.

wbedwards

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

Could you please explain WHY there would be "consideral difference" between front and rear wheel nut torque? DD

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

Probably was referring to axle and spindle nut:confused:

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

Found this on the interwebs...

Lug Nut Torque Specs

Stud Torque Engagement
12mm 75 to 85 lb-ft. 7 Turns
14mm 85 to 95 lb-ft. 8 Turns
7/16" 70 to 80 lb-ft. 8 Turns
1/2" 75 to 85 lb-ft. 8 Turns (Early Ford)
9/16" 105 to 115 lb-ft. 8 Turns
5/8" 125 to 135 lb-ft. 8 Turns

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

Wow. Talk about senseless worrying. Now let's discuss how wide open a cotter key be spread. Gimme a break.

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

The rear nut hub to axle IS important. I disagree with stangblu, When the drum is on properly, it should take a puller such as a KR Wilson to remove the drum. The axle drives the hub due to friction on the taper NOT the key. Improperly tightened rear axle nuts are the reason they break at the end of the keyway slot. Ford literature has this nut at around 200/ft lbs.
Wheel nut torque in lbs are less critical, but need to be tight enough they don't work free.

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

How far should a cotter key be spread? Do you spread both sides the same way or opposite? Do I magnaflux the old ones and reuse them or go with new ones?

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

Wide fives?
Be consistent whether you go to 65 ft lbs or 105 ft lbs
I use a 85 ft lb torque limiter

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

My earlier comments on difference between front and rear were refering to nut to hub torques and not the wheel nuts. Brain did not process correctly.
The torque on front and rear wheels is the same and in region of 60 to 100ftlbs as per previous posts.
Phil NZ

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

What I thought we were talking about lug nuts or (wheel nuts). I'm going to put some pistachio nuts with bananas on my salad and go to bed early, plus its raining.

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

Uneven tightening of lugs on disc brake rotors has been known to cause warping of the rotors. Could possible do the same to a drum to say nothing of loosing a wheel at speed for being too loose.

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

Best one I've heard yet.

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

Four white knuckles.

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

half turn before they twist off.

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

"1949-1951 Ford per shop manual- 65-75#"
Go with a Ford spec like this if using a torque wrench. Ford used the same nuts and threads from '29---up into the 1970's (Model A's had capped acorn nuts, which changes nothing, all otheres entirely identical) on big cars and pickups.
If not using a torque wrench, use something fairly short like the original wrench that came with car to tighten, and keep something long like a breaker bar to loosen. If you reverse that you will have some bad moments next flat...

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

Interesting thread, every nut/bolt/thread has a torque value but in most application they are never used! Wheel lug nuts would be one of them, I have never seen a lug nut set to torque value.

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

My local Costco does it. After tightening with an impact wrench they check it with a real torque wrench. Then they ask you to come back in 500 miles for a recheck. This, along with low price, is why I buy most of my tires there.

Charlie Stephens

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

When is the last time you saw Costco do a 30's vintage Ford without aluminum wheels.

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

It would be a good idea as how almost all of the tire places way over tighten lug nuts!

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

Yep' if Henry was worried about torque, with each car he would included a combination torque wrench, bumper jack handle, hub cap remover instead of the lug wrench, jack handle, hub cap remover.:)

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

I figure that I have to tighten all the lugnuts somehow. I have a click type torque wrench handy, so I always use it to tighten lugnuts...on all of my vehicles.

We had multiple people putting the wheels back on a pickup, one of the front wheels didn't get tightened and the hubcap was put back on. I drove the truck and ruined the front wheel. I just made it a habit to hear those 5 clicks on each wheel before I head down the road. Makes me sleep better at night...

Neal

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

I once broke a 13/16" 1/2" drive socket using a 14" breaker bar to try to loosen a lug nut that a tire jockey had put on with an air wrench. Fortunately I was at home and not on the side of the road and got another socket and removed the rest of the lug nuts.

Re: Wheel nut torque ?
 

Great Comment Lawson...