When mounting your wheels you may have come across the term: Torque.
But how does torque work and what exactly is it?
Let’s find out!
Car wheel torque is the tightness of the lugnuts. This tightness is measured in an amount called foot-pounds. The foot-pounds are related to the amount of weight required to move an object a certain distance.
Depending on your car’s lugnut tightness, it can be set as high as 90 pounds or lower than 30 pounds.
Table of Contents
Check Also: Do electric cars have more torque than gas-driven cars?
Even wheel lug nut distribution helps the tires to stay balanced and even.
It helps ensure every part of the tire is holding up equal amounts of stress.
If you do not follow a specific pattern or technique for tightening your lug nuts, it can lead to wear on certain parts of the tire and uneven stress distribution.
There are several factors that you need to consider when using a torque wrench.
For example, you need to make sure that the wrench is properly calibrated, as this will affect the accuracy of the measurements.
A professional recalibration is necessary if the calibration is not accurate.
It is also important to check the condition of your lug nuts and other hardware before applying any torque, as they may be damaged or worn out and could require replacement.
Additionally, it is essential to use the correct amount of force when tightening your wheel lugs to prevent over-tightening or under-tightening them.
Finally, it is important to stay aware of any changes in conditions such as ambient temperature or humidity levels, which can impact how much force is required for proper torque settings.
The vehicle manual outlines what the torque of car wheel nuts should be.
However, as a rule of thumb, most car wheel nuts should be torqued to between 80 and 110 foot pounds.
Lug nuts are torqued according to a measurement called foot-pounds. The torque you use depends on the size of the lug nuts.
Lugnuts that are 7/16 inches should be torqued 70 to 80 foot-lbs.
1/2 inch 75 to 85 torque pounds, and 9/16 inch 135 to 145 torque pounds.
A torque wrench or torque stick helps you to get the ideal torque.
It is important not to overtighten the wheel nuts, as this can damage the wheel or the threads on the nuts.
Under tightening the wheel nuts can also be dangerous, as it can cause the wheels to come loose while driving.
When tightening the lugs, be sure they are free from oil or grease.
The best way to ensure that you have the correct torque for your car’s wheels is to consult the owner’s manual.
Each car model has different specifications, and it is important to adhere to these in order to maintain optimal performance and safety.
If you are unsure about how to properly use a torque wrench or other tools, it is best to bring your vehicle to a professional mechanic who can help you adjust the settings as needed.
The amount of torque that your car’s wheels need will depend on a variety of factors, including the size of the tires, the type of material they are made from, and the weight of the vehicle.
It is important to consult with a professional mechanic or an experienced driver in order to determine the optimal setting for your particular car model.
With proper care and maintenance, you should be able to achieve optimal performance from your vehicle while also keeping yourself safe on the road.
Yes, it is possible to overtighten your car’s wheel nuts. T
his can damage the wheel or the threads on the nuts, and it can also make it difficult to remove the nuts in the future.
To avoid over-tightening your wheel nuts, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s specifications for torque carefully.
Additionally, it is a good idea to periodically check the torque on your wheel nuts, especially if you are driving in conditions that can lead to increased vibration or stress.
Torquing new wheels is important as the wheels adjust to the car.
The general rule is to torque your new wheels after the first 50 miles or 100 miles.
If you drive in adverse conditions, such as on dirt roads or in heavy rain, it is a good idea to check the torque more frequently.
Overtightening leads to stretching the wheel studs. These are the metal posts or bolts the wheel is attached to.
Due to this stress, the stud may potentially break. This breakage may lead to tire damage. Also, it could strip the bolts. There is even the potential that the brake rotors could warp.
Brake rotors may be affected by too much torque. The shaking caused by the vehicle potentially damages the entire brake system.
In addition, the vibration caused by an over-tightened wheel could even damage other parts of the car or loosen it up.
This can impact how effectively your vehicle is able to brake and steer, putting you at risk of accidents on the road. It is therefore important to make sure that your wheels are properly torqued to avoid these risks.
If a car has too little torque, it can impact its performance on the road. It will affect the balance and performance of the wheels.
They may wobble, which causes issues for the entire car.
The vehicle may not be able to accelerate or brake effectively, which can lead to collisions or other accidents.
Additionally, car parts such as the wheels and brakes may become damaged over time due to lack of proper torque, potentially increasing repair costs.
It is not recommended to use an impact wrench to fasten your car’s wheel nuts. This can damage the threads on the nuts or strip them completely.
It is best to use a torque wrench or a torque stick when tightening wheel nuts, as this will help you achieve the correct amount of torque.
There is no set frequency for checking the wheel nut torque, as it will depend on a number of factors, including how often you drive and what type of road conditions you typically encounter.
Some experts recommend checking the torque at least once a year, or any time that you change your tires or perform other routine maintenance on your vehicle.
If you notice any signs of damage to your wheels or wheels nuts, such as excessive wear or vibration when driving, it is important to bring your car in for an inspection right away.
With regular care and attention, you can help ensure optimal performance from your vehicle while also keeping yourself safe on the road.
Yes, mechanics should always check the wheel nut torque when servicing a vehicle.
This is because the correct amount of torque is necessary for the wheels to function properly and safely.
If the nuts are not correctly torqued, it could lead to problems such as difficulty steering, increased wear and tear on the tires, and decreased performance overall.
In some cases, it may even be dangerous to drive with improperly tightened wheel nuts.
There are a number of different tools that mechanics can use to test the torque of a car’s wheel nuts. These might include specialized wrenches or digital torque gauges, which are connected either directly to the nuts themselves or to the car’s computer system.
The exact method used will depend on the type of wheels and other parts that your vehicle has, as well as its make and model.
However, most mechanics will start by loosening each nut just slightly and then testing it with a torque wrench or gauge to determine what setting is required. Adjustments may need to be made several times before an accurate reading can be obtained.
Once this has been done successfully, the mechanic will then tighten each nut back up again according to the specified torque.
It is important to note that not all mechanics will have the same equipment or experience when it comes to testing wheel nut torque.
The right torque is important because it helps your car’s wheels to function optimally. It ensures that the wheels are properly attached to your car, allowing you to safely accelerate, steer, and brake.
It affects things like steering, handling, and braking, and can even affect the safety of your vehicle.
Without the right amount of torque, your car’s tires may not perform properly or could even become damaged.
For this reason, it is essential to make sure that your wheel nuts are fastened to the correct torque settings at all times.
Without the right amount of wheel torque, your car may not perform as well or be as safe on the road.
https://itstillruns.com/proper-torque-wheel-nuts-7356894.html
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=107
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By Speedway Tech Team
7/11/2021
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Tags: Tech, Tech, Wheels & Tires, Buyer's Guides
Lug nuts come in a variety of shapes, seat angles, thread pitches and wrench types
This buyers guide explains how to select and install the proper lug nuts for your vehicle and/or aftermarket wheels in 5 easy steps.
Seat Type
When asking what lug nuts fit my car or truck, determining the lug nut seat type that your wheels require is the first step in selecting the proper lug nuts for your needs. A 60 degree included angle tapered seat lug nut is a very common automotive lug nut design. The tapered seat will help center the wheel as the lug nuts are tightened and will typically yield a truer and more balanced assembly when compared to a shank or mag seat.
45 degree tapered seat lug nuts are exclusively used on circle track racing wheels. The 45 degree spec is a centerline angle measurement which makes it a 90 degree included angle. This lug nut taper is used for aftermarket racing wheel brands such as Speedway Motors, Aero, Bassett, etc. Never use 45 degree lug nuts on OEM wheels which have a 60 degree tapered seat. If your rules require 1” hex size circle track lug nuts and OEM wheels then you will need to machine the taper on your wheels to 45 degrees for a proper fit.
Lug nuts come in a variety of seat types. It's important to the application to know the difference.
Shank or mag seat lug nuts have a flat seat and typically have a washer between the lug nut and the wheel. These lug nuts must be ordered by the shank diameter and shank length that is required for your wheels. Be sure not to order a shank diameter that is smaller than your wheels require since this will likely result in an out of balance and/or out of round assembly.
Thread Size and Pitch
To determine the lug nut thread that is required for your vehicle the first step is to measure the thread size. Do this by measuring the outside diameter of the wheel stud threads on your vehicle. Using a tape measure on a threaded stud is difficult to get an accurate measurement so we suggest using a dial calipers or digital calipers to increase accuracy. Common thread diameters used for lug nuts in SAE sizes are 7/16, 1/2, 9/16 and 5/8”. Common metric thread diameters are 12 mm and 14 mm.
How to determine thread pitch for your lug nuts
To determine the thread pitch on SAE threads you need to count the number of threads within a one inch long section of the stud. Use a tape measure to mark off a one inch section and count the number of threads. When counting be sure to only count the high points of the threads. Common thread pitch for SAE sizes are 11, 18, and 20 threads per inch making the most common SAE thread sizes 7/16”-20, 1/2"-20, 9/16”-18, 5/8”-18, and 5/8”-11.
To determine the thread pitch on Metric threads you need to find the number of threads within a one millimeter long section of the stud. Since this is extremely tough to estimate we suggest marking off a 10 millimeter long section, then after counting the threads divide your number by 10. Example: If you have 15 threads in a 10 mm section then that means there would be 1.5 threads per mm and the math looks like this: 15 ÷ 10 = 1.5
Common thread pitch for Metric threads are 1.
25 and 1.50 threads per millimeter making the most common thread sizes 12 mm x 1.25, 12 mm x 1.50 and 14 mm x 1.50
Wrenching Type
Hex lug nuts are by far the most common. Easily available sockets or wrenches can be used to install or remove hex lug nuts which makes them the most popular. This allows the wheels to be removed or installed by any mechanic or tire shop when the vehicle needs service or repair. The downside is your wheels are more susceptible to being stolen when using hex lug nuts. If theft is a concern you may want to consider a set of wheel locks which are described in more detail next.
Lug nut styles determine the type of wrench needed. Traditional Hex, Spline and Hex Key shown
Spline drive lug nuts can be used to change the look or to match a wheel style. One spline drive lug nut per wheel can also be used for anti-theft purposes and are commonly called wheel locks. These lug nuts will require a very specific socket to install and remove them.
Some kits come with the required socket and other kits the spline drive socket will be sold separately. A second socket for your spline drive lug nuts is a good idea in case one is damaged or lost. We recommend storing one in your toolbox at home and one in the glove box of your vehicle in case of a flat while traveling.
Hex key lug nuts provide a smooth outer appearance and are commonly used with wheels that have a very small counter bore for the lug nut to fit into. These lug nuts require a hex key to install or remove them. A benefit of this lug nut is you will not have any damage to the finish of the outer surface of the lug nuts when installing or removing them. The hex key is internal so any scuffs or scratches from the tools will be on the inside surface. With this style of lug nut you will need to carry special tools in your vehicle to remove them in case of a flat while on the road.
Appearance
Open end lug nuts are generally cheaper than other styles and used on vehicles which have hub caps that cover the lug nuts.
Open lug nuts are also widely used for racing applications since some rules will require a specific amount of threads protruding past the end of the lug nut. If your rules do not specify a number of threads protruding past the lug nut then we suggest two threads minimum past the lug nut in racing applications for safety purposes.
Double sided lug nuts are primarily used in racing applications where pit stop times must be trimmed down to be as short as possible. The double sided design allows you to install the lug nut either direction so there is no fumbling around or lug nuts installed backwards.
Lug nuts come in a variety of colors and finishes
Acorn lug nuts are used on all sorts of vehicles where the capped off appearance and no stud showing in the center is desirable. This provides a very clean appearance which makes them perfect for hot rods, muscle cars, show cars, and daily drivers.
The finish or color is also a consideration when buying lug nuts.
Many open end lug nuts are zinc plated for corrosion resistance but they do not have the shine quality that would be desirable in some applications. A chrome plated finish provides a show quality shine that is suitable for many needs. There are also various black lug nut options to further customize the look to your particular wheels.
Proper torque pattern for lug nuts
Lug Nut Torque Spec Chart
Now that you have chosen the proper lug nuts for your needs and are ready to install them the last step is to torque them properly. To accomplish this, we suggest using a 1/2” drive torque wrench. Torque the lug nuts in two steps, starting at 40 ft/lbs of torque for your first step to get the wheel seated properly. Then for the final torque refer to our chart below for torque recommendations based on your lug nut thread size. Be sure to follow the torque sequence shown above for your specific lug count.
Wheel Lug Nut Torque Specs
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Big, beautiful off-road tires are a key component to any off-road vehicle, as larger wheels add ground clearance and traction to the vehicle.
Plus the big wheels look amazing. But did you know that oversized wheels will cost you some power loss? Here is more about this topic.
Watch Subaru's power test stand. The authors of this video decided to find out how big wheels affect the power of the Subaru CrossTrek.
As follows from the explanation of the author of the video, the test vehicle was delivered from the factory with all-season tires Yokohama Geolander R17 225 / 60. Then, before the test on the test bench, the Subaru CrossTrek was fitted with off-road tires 9 BF Goodrich R15 235 / 90502 wheels certainly added ground clearance and off-road traction to the car. So, in diameter, 15-inch wheels with 235 / 75 tires became about an inch larger than the regular Yokohama Geolander R17 wheels.
The off-road wheels also added extra weight to the car. According to the video description, the 15-inch off-road wheels added 11.6 pounds (5.26 kg) of unsprung weight to the Subrau. That is, in fact, the weight of the machine has increased by more than 5 kg.
So let's move on to the 2018 Subaru CrossTrek dyno results. Initially, the power of the car should be 152 liters. With. with a maximum torque of 145 lb-ft (197 Nm). On the day this video was filmed, a Subaru dynamometer with stock wheels showed a maximum output of 141 hp. With. with a maximum torque of 131 lb-ft (178 Nm).
But on the dynamometer, the power measurement at the wheels does not really correspond to the real values. The fact is that due to parasitic losses between the engine and the road in real conditions, the power of the car on wheels will be even less.
With regards to off-road 15-inch wheels, after installing them on the car and testing it on the stand, the experts found out how larger off-road tires affect Subaru performance. So, the test results showed that Subaru CrossTrek on 15-inch wheels with BF Goodrich R15 235 / 75 tires produces only 127 hp. With. with a maximum torque of 122 lb-ft (165 Nm).
What happened? Why did wheels with smaller rims but larger tires have such an impact on the car? Why has Subaru's power and torque dropped so much?
It's all about rotational inertia, which fluctuates in the mass of the wheel.
Indeed, according to the laws of physics, the faster an object rotates, the faster its rotational mass decreases. So, off-road wheels are heavier and 1 inch larger in outer diameter, respectively, the rotational inertia decreases, which, of course, ultimately affects the mass of the wheels. Consequently, heavier wheels inevitably result in a loss of power.
By the way, well-known video blogger Jason Fenske back in 2013 explained this from a scientific point of view, detailing how wheel size affects power and maximum torque. Here is his video:
As Fenske explains, the key point is why when you increase the diameter of the wheel (even if you reduce the rim by putting on off-road tires with more meat, you will most likely increase the outer diameter of the wheel) plays a reduction in force between the tire and the road surface, and consequently it results in a slower acceleration of the car. Moreover, this happens without regard to weight, for example, when installing off-road tires and new rims did not increase the weight of the car (although in most cases, when installing off-road wheels, the weight of the car, as a rule, increases).
But in our example, Subaru has become heavier by more than 5 kg. Accordingly, weight still further affects the loss of dynamic performance of the car.
You look, judging by the measurements on the dyno, Subaru CrossTrek lost 14 hp. With. and a maximum torque of 9 lb-ft (12.2 Nm), and is also heavier by more than 5 kg. And this is only because of the increase in the outer diameter of the wheels by only 1 inch.
True, this test does not prove that such a replacement of standard tires with off-road tires will necessarily lead to the same results.
However, most likely, the installation of off-road tires in any car instead of factory tires for the city will inevitably lead to a loss of vehicle power.
And note that we were talking about all-season tires. And how much power will the car lose if, instead of the usual city regular 17-inch tires, winter off-road tires of the same size and the same diameter are put on the Subaru? You know, there is no such information on the Internet yet.
It's just that no one has yet taken measurements on the stand to answer this question. But, judging by the weight of winter tires for Subaru CrossTrek, you can imagine how much the power and torque of the car will drop after the car becomes heavier by about 20 kg (due to an increase in unsprung weight). And we are not talking about fuel consumption yet. After all, we all know that the greater the weight of the car, the greater the fuel consumption.
So if you want to equip your car with big wheels, you must know that it will inevitably lose power and strength. If you want a car with big wheels not to lose dynamic performance, then you need to modify your car by improving the gearbox, engine or drive.
Can a wheel spin if the torque on it is zero? And where does this moment go on the road from the engine flywheel to the wheels?
We stopped arguing in smoking rooms on technical topics.
It's a pity. What normal man refuses to talk about how the engine torque is distributed over the wheels? Or at least stand by, remaining silent in an important dispute. It's not for us to discuss series!
It is not interesting to argue about power and speed, but the moment is another matter! Confusion of opinions is guaranteed here. In secret, let's say that even "docents with candidates" rashly gave opposite answers to seemingly simple questions. As a result, the truth was learned only after a long discussion with representatives of the GAZ and UAZ plants and several specialized universities, as well as as a result of consultations with foreign colleagues.
We invite everyone to try to find the correct answers in the situations we have proposed. And first, we list the conditions that should be considered when choosing the right option.
In all situations, we conditionally assume that friction and other losses are absent as a class. Wheel loads are the same.Longitudinal and transverse weight distributions are uniform. Tire grip conditions are the same, unless otherwise specified. All differentials are of symmetrical type. The moment transmitted by the engine to a specific differential is conditionally taken as 100%.
* To warm up, the first question. There is a small “badness” hidden in it: if the answer to it remains incomprehensible, then it is pointless to move on to the second question.
Legend.
The car sits on its belly and helplessly turns its drive wheels in the air. What is the approximate torque on the engine flywheel?
A - zero
B - RPM dependent
V - the declared passport value
G - depends on the gear engaged
Correct answer : A
For those who do not understand the answer, we explain: there is no moment without resistance! Imagine an electrical outlet with an unplugged iron next to it.
There is voltage in the outlet, but the output current is zero. So it is here: the engine does not perform any useful work, the wheels do not meet resistance, and therefore there is no momentum.
* If this is clear, then we give a more complex task - already with the participation of the differential. For those who have forgotten what it is, we recommend that you look at the hint below.
Differential (from Latin differentia - difference, difference) - a mechanism that ensures the rotation of the drive wheels at different speeds (for example, in a turn). The actual driving conditions of the car determine the difference in the angular velocities of its wheels. Why? Because they pass paths of different lengths (in a turn or over bumps) and the rolling radii are also different. Therefore, the drive wheels work with the participation of inter-wheel and inter-axle differentials - so that the so-called parasitic (braking) torque does not arise on one of the wheels, as happens on the rotary axle of a cart with a solid axle.
A differential that distributes torque between the output shafts equally is called symmetrical.
A VAZ-2107 car drives in fourth gear in a circle. How are the moments approximately distributed on its rear wheels?
A - equally
B - inversely proportional to the speed of each of the wheels
V - depending on the traction force and loads
D - directly proportional to the speed of each from the wheels
The correct answer is : A
The moments are distributed equally: a symmetrical differential simply cannot behave differently. We remind you that we agreed not to take into account friction and other losses
*If this is clear, then we complicate the questions.
In the VAZ-2107, with the gear engaged, one drive wheel is suspended in the air. What is the approximate distribution of the torques on the rear wheels if we take the torque coming from the engine as 100%?
A - 100% on a rotating wheel and 0% on a stationary one
B - on both wheels, the torque is zero
B - depending on the adhesion of the stationary wheel to the road
G - proportional to engine speed
Correct answer: B
Why zero if the wheel is spinning? The fact is that the engine does not perform useful work.
A hanging wheel experiences no resistance, and therefore the moment on it is zero. On a stationary wheel, of course, the moment is also zero.
*Now moving on to all-wheel drive vehicles: here a center differential has been added to the inter-wheel differentials.
Chevrolet Niva drives around in fourth gear. Interaxle differential lock included. What is the approximate ratio of torque on all wheels, if we take the torque coming from the engine as 100%?
A - 25% each
B - 50% each
V - proportional to engine speed
D - on the wheels of each axle, the moments are divided equally, and the distribution along the axles - depending on the loads and adhesion forces
Correct answer : D
Cross-axle differentials on each of the axles divide the moments equally, as in the previous examples. If the center differential were left free, each wheel would get 25% of the torque.
But the driver blocked it, and therefore the distribution between the axles began to depend on the specific traffic situation. In the limit (the wheels of one of the axles are on dry asphalt, and the wheels of the other are on smooth ice), almost the entire moment is realized on asphalt.
*Now suppose we get a little stuck.
At the Chevrolet Niva all-terrain vehicle, with the gear engaged, one drive wheel is suspended in the air. The driver has locked the center differential. How are the torques approximately distributed on all four wheels?
A - on the suspended wheel 0%, on the second wheel of the same axle 0%; on the other axis, the moments on each of the wheels are equal to half the moment supplied to its differential from the engine
B - on the suspended wheel 0%, on the rest - 33.3% of the torque coming from the engine
B - on all wheels 25% of the torque coming from the engine
D - depending on the loads and adhesion forces
The correct answer is : A
The wheel hanging in the air does not work - therefore, the moment on it is zero.
The same applies to the other wheel on this axle: an unlocked cross-axle differential ensured equality. But the other axis is operating normally. And non-zero moments on its wheels with a free cross-axle differential are equal to each other.
*Now let's try to lock the cross-axle differential!
A four-wheel drive SUV drives around in fourth gear. Rear differential lock engaged. The center differential is not locked. What is the approximate wheel torque ratio?
A - each with 25% of the torque supplied to the center differential from the engine
B - each with 50% of the torque supplied from the engine
V - depends on the engine speed
D - on the front wheels by 25%. The remaining 50% is distributed between the rear wheels in proportion to the load on them and the traction forces.
Correct answer : D
Thanks to a working center differential, the rear axle receives the same Newton meters as the front axle.
But the actual ratio of moments on its wheels already depends on the specific road situation, since the locked cross-axle differential does not align anything. If one of the wheels hangs in the air, then everything will go to the second wheel, and if the grip is the same, then the division will be equal. Therefore, the ratio of moments is determined by loads and cohesive forces. ;
*Try to get stuck again.
In an all-wheel drive off-road vehicle, with the gear engaged, one rear wheel is hung in the air. Rear differential lock engaged. The center differential is not locked. What is the approximate ratio of the moments on the wheels, if we conventionally take the moment coming from the engine as 100%?
A - 100% on wheel touching the ground, 0% on hung and 25% each on front wheels
B - 50% and 50%
C - 25% and 25%
D - 50% on the wheel touching the ground, 0% on the hung and 25% each on the front wheels
Correct answer 90 098 The center differential divided the moments between the axles equally. * Finally, let's recall the basic principles that will help you understand moments, axles and differentials. Good luck to everyone on the roads - no stuck wheels and zero moments! The differential consists of a housing (1), satellite gears (2) and side gears (3). The driven gear of the final drive rotates the housing with satellites, which in turn rotates the gears of the axle shafts. When the car is moving perfectly straight, the satellites are stationary relative to their axes. But as soon as the movement becomes uneven (for example, when turning), the satellites begin their own fouettes, accelerating one axle and slowing down the other. If the grip of the wheels with the surface is different, then the torque realized on the slippery surface is limited by the coefficient of adhesion of the tire to the road. The lower the resistance, the lower the torque on that wheel. But the moment becomes the same on the other wheel of the same axle. But if you block the differential, then the sharing of moments between the wheels occurs in accordance with the forces of their resistance (or adhesion) to the road.
A hanging wheel experiences no resistance, and therefore its moment is zero. Another wheel on this axle is blown behind it, pushing the car, and all the torque transmitted back (50% of the total) goes to the second wheel.
How the differential works
10
The housing is usually combined with the final drive gear (4). Satellite gears play the role of a planetary gear and connect the side gears to the differential housing. Semi-axial (sun) gears are connected to the drive wheels through the semi-axes. 
