Watch the torque on your lug nuts.

[FisHn2DMax]

It was time ( 6 years) to replace my trailer tires ( Maxxis). As the tire dealer attempted to remove the lug nuts, a number of the lug nuts would not come off. Using a breaker bar they did get them to come off. What they discovered was "stretched mounting studs" that caused the lug nuts to cross thread coming off- Most of the the studs have to be replaced. It appears either I or a previous dealer ( when packing the bearings) must have torqued the lug nuts way too tight. I have always been careful to check the tightness of the lug nuts before each trip, but had no idea that the mounting studs/threads could be stretched by using too much torque? The max torque should be no more 100ft -pounds.

I'm sure glad I never had a flat or I would have never been able to get the lug nuts off, and if I did, I never would have been able to get the gauled lug nuts to thread back back on the stretched studs.

Expensive lesson learned today.

[Hot Runr Guy]

Great point. For those that don't own a torque wrench, for $35 or so you can buy a torque stick and not have to guess anymore. http://www.asedeals.com/accutorq.html

HRG

[Floatingduck]

All fasteners are engineered to strech some - much of the reason for the torque requirements. But like the user stated if they are streched beyond the materials yeild strength the bolt will not return to its original size after the load is removed.

Always use torque specs on every fastener.

[fishingfarmer]

The problem was probably caused by an impact wrench and not by hand. I red in a farm magazine a while back that an impact wrench (air wrench) will spin the nut on with such speed that when the nut comes in contact with the rim it will stretch out and damage the threads. To stop this you need to spin the nut down but not tighten it until after contact with the rim is made.

JWI

[RANGER]

Lug nuts (and MANY other bolt/nuts) need to be properly torqued. Far and away too many "mechanics" just tighten until they can't tighten any more. Or use the air tools without setting the torque values. All in all, this lends itself to damges and, possibly, complete failure of the part. It's not the right thing to do.

As for bolts seizing on wheels, and other applications, get yourself a can of "Antiseize" grease and USE IT!! Doesn't adversely affect the torque and the bolt/nut will spin off like it was buttered when the time comes. Great stuff!!


:stick:

[T Mac]

It was time ( 6 years) to replace my trailer tires ( Maxxis). As the tire dealer attempted to remove the lug nuts, a number of the lug nuts would not come off. Using a breaker bar they did get them to come off. What they discovered was "stretched mounting studs" that caused the lug nuts to cross thread coming off- Most of the the studs have to be replaced. It appears either I or a previous dealer ( when packing the bearings) must have torqued the lug nuts way too tight. I have always been careful to check the tightness of the lug nuts before each trip, but had no idea that the mounting studs/threads could be stretched by using too much torque? The max torque should be no more 100ft -pounds.

I'm sure glad I never had a flat or I would have never been able to get the lug nuts off, and if I did, I never would have been able to get the gauled lug nuts to thread back back on the stretched studs.

Expensive lesson learned today.


...I'm thinking..."What the heck is with that?"..
Then I remembered... I think you had your own trailer when you came and got that boat...right?

Good tip for the folks.

[FisHn2DMax]

T-MAC, No worries... it definitely wasn't your shop that torqued the nuts too tight - Your memory serves you right. I had a custom trailer made here at a local shop (in a matching color) and brought it up to you to put the new boat on. In fact, it was probably me that torqued the nuts too tight during my pre-trips routine of checking and tightening lug nuts - a little too tight.

[AllenW]

Another tip with the antiseize is not only put it on your lug nuts, but if you have alumimun wheels coat the back sureface of the wheel and where it mounts to.
Works on car, trucks or trailers.

Seems alumunum wheels want to weld themselfs to steel hubs.

Al

[Phil T]

Since aluminum rims have been mentioned, we almost learned the hard way that the lug nuts need to be re torqued about 200 miles or so after the rims have been removed for rotation or tire purchase.
My wife had a flat tire while on a trip to the "big city" and the tire shop technician was able to turn three lug nuts off with his fingers. When Sears had a sale on their torque wrenches, I bought one.
By-the-way, spark plugs are supposed to be tightened with a torque wrench,too. Especially into an aluminum head.

[moreyes]

I carry a torque wrench with me. I do torque all the lug nuts evenly. And occasionally check them.