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Lug Nut Torque

Dave_H_M
Explorer
Explorer
I had a wheel off the fifth wheel camper today. It has been a while.

I am running 8 lug hubs with E range tires.

Went through all the literature and as best as I can figure the torque should be 120 ft lbs. I am kinda skiddish about that being correct. Make take one off today and measure the diameter of the lug bolt and look at some charts.

Should I search further or go with the 120?

Thanks
22 REPLIES 22

Dave_H_M
Explorer
Explorer
thanks allen and iterant, i think i am in the ball park and will "let her rip".

Kinda glad I stopped at 120. :B

Itinerant1
Explorer
Explorer
allen8106 wrote:
My 2010 Jayco 5ver calls for 90-120 on 8 lug steel or aluminum rims.


X2
My 2010 Carriage calls for the same on 8 lug aluminum rims (3,960#) 90-120#, been using 110#.
12v 500ah, 20 cells_ 4s5p (GBS LFMP battery system). 8 CTI 160 watt panels (1,280 watts)2s4p,Panels mounted flat. Magnum PT100 SCC, Magnum 3012 hybrid inverter, ME-ARC 50. Installed 4/2016 been on 24/7/365, daily 35-45% DOD 2,500+ partial cycles.

allen8106
Explorer
Explorer
My 2010 Jayco 5ver calls for 90-120 on 8 lug steel or aluminum rims.
2010 Eagle Super Lite 315RLDS
2018 GMC Sierra 3500HD 6.6L Duramax

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Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
laknox wrote:
Durb wrote:
When I was checking on my 8 lug rims with 1/2-20 studs, Dexter warned torque was not to exceed 120 ft-lbs. I keep mine at 105 ft-lbs with aluminum rims. Important, after having your tires changed at a tire shop to go home loosen the lugs one at a time, and re-torque properly.


Discount Tire uses torque wrenches and when I'd have them put new tires on, I always checked with them on the setting. 105-110 every time. I'd check at home and they all clicked right at 105-110...every time. :B

Lyle


If the torque was more it will still click. I have watched Discount tire torque and they do it correctly. They don’t use a torque stick. They run nuts snug with impact then torque.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
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2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

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azdryheat
Explorer
Explorer
Lug nut torque chart
2013 Chevy 3500HD CC dually
2014 Voltage 3600 toy hauler
2019 RZR 1000XP TRE

Durb
Explorer
Explorer
laknox wrote:
Durb wrote:
When I was checking on my 8 lug rims with 1/2-20 studs, Dexter warned torque was not to exceed 120 ft-lbs. I keep mine at 105 ft-lbs with aluminum rims. Important, after having your tires changed at a tire shop to go home loosen the lugs one at a time, and re-torque properly.


Discount Tire uses torque wrenches and when I'd have them put new tires on, I always checked with them on the setting. 105-110 every time. I'd check at home and they all clicked right at 105-110...every time. :B

Lyle


I just had Discount tire install Endurance tires on my trailer. I watched him use a torque wrench on the lug nuts, he had very poor technique. Proper way to load a torque wrench is to pull on the grip. Most people that push on the grip, or hammer the torque wrench are severely over-applying torque to the fastener. One major tire company reported to me that they tested their people, some were applying torque at 200 ft-lbs over the setting! The torque wrenches Discount uses are box-beam wrenches with very small break angles. Very difficult to stop at the click when pushing on the handle.

How did you check that your lug nuts were accurate? Re- clicking with a torque wrench means they are at least that tight, not an accurate method of testing actual applied torque. There are extremely expensive torque testing wrenches available (made in Japan), but I doubt many have one of those.

If you go with the assumption the lug nuts are overtightened at a tire shop, then loosening them one at a time and re-torquing will work, and not create cross-talk.

laknox
Nomad
Nomad
Durb wrote:
When I was checking on my 8 lug rims with 1/2-20 studs, Dexter warned torque was not to exceed 120 ft-lbs. I keep mine at 105 ft-lbs with aluminum rims. Important, after having your tires changed at a tire shop to go home loosen the lugs one at a time, and re-torque properly.


Discount Tire uses torque wrenches and when I'd have them put new tires on, I always checked with them on the setting. 105-110 every time. I'd check at home and they all clicked right at 105-110...every time. :B

Lyle
2022 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali Crew Cab 4x4 Duramax
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laknox
Nomad
Nomad
fj12ryder wrote:
120 seems a bit high, but not by much. I torque mine to 100-110 lb. ft.


^^^^^This, with aluminum 80 psi rims. Can't remember what my current rig, with 65 psi Al rims are, though. Gonna have to re-check that.

Lyle
2022 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali Crew Cab 4x4 Duramax
B&W OEM Companion & Gooseneck Kit
2017 KZ Durango 1500 D277RLT
1936 John Deere Model A
International Flying Farmers 64 Year Member

time2roll
Explorer II
Explorer II
Durb wrote:
When I was checking on my 8 lug rims with 1/2-20 studs, Dexter warned torque was not to exceed 120 ft-lbs. I keep mine at 105 ft-lbs with aluminum rims. Important, after having your tires changed at a tire shop to go home loosen the lugs one at a time, and re-torque properly.
I just tell the technician the torque I want and expect him to use a hand wrench. Any good shop does this already. I use America's Tire.

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
Durb wrote:
When I was checking on my 8 lug rims with 1/2-20 studs, Dexter warned torque was not to exceed 120 ft-lbs. I keep mine at 105 ft-lbs with aluminum rims. Important, after having your tires changed at a tire shop to go home loosen the lugs one at a time, and re-torque properly.


I am thinking the one at a time may not work as you think it would. Personally I have done the same but loosened all nuts then torque.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

Durb
Explorer
Explorer
When I was checking on my 8 lug rims with 1/2-20 studs, Dexter warned torque was not to exceed 120 ft-lbs. I keep mine at 105 ft-lbs with aluminum rims. Important, after having your tires changed at a tire shop to go home loosen the lugs one at a time, and re-torque properly.

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
"DEPENDS"

My DRV's lugs are 5/8" and have the clamping lug nuts as does my DRW. I torque both to 150.

Page 75 below.

2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

mapguy
Explorer
Explorer
For Dexter and Alko axles the chart on page 75 of the linked PDF file from Dexter axle, will give you the proper answer to the torgue question - it also outlines the proper tightening procedure to use...

Dexter Service Manual -go to page 75

RobWNY
Explorer
Explorer
For what it's worth, I have 5 lugs. Written on a sticker attached to the front of my 5th wheel it says to torque to 100 Ft. Pounds
2020 Silverado 2500HD LT, CC, 4X4 6.6 Duramax
2021 Grand Design Reflection 311BHS

I asked him to do one thing and he didn't do any of them.