Lug nut torque

[enjenjo]

What is the correct lug nut torque on a 7/16" lug bolt with steel wheels? I am not finding any information any place I can think of.

[Bruce Dorsi]

Correct torque is tight enough to not loosen, but not tight enough to strip the threads or shear the bolt.

I'm sure you already knew this, Frank !  

[kb426]

Everything I have seen has been 70 ft. lbs.

[enjenjo]

Correct torque is tight enough to not loosen, but not tight enough to strip the threads or shear the bolt.

I'm sure you already knew this, Frank !  

Gee, thanks.  You must be an engineer, your answer is technically correct, but completely useless.

[enjenjo]

Everything I have seen has been 70 ft. lbs.

I have been told 100ftlb, I have been told 80ftlb, but your answer sounds more feasible to me.

[enjenjo]

I found this on a Dodge Dart site  "shop manual states 7/16"-20 55 ft-lbs and 1/2"-20 65 ft-lbs". Since the front rotors have Dodge Dart studs, I guess that should be close.

[Arnold]

"Newfy Torque"..Tighten it until it strips..then back it off half a turn.

[Charlie Chops 1940]

I've never seen anything that differentiates between wheel material so I use the same torque on steel or aluminum wheels. I have an old American Racing installation instruction sheet that shows the following torque recommendations:

7/16"  55-65 ft. lbs.
1/2"    75-85
9/16"   95-115
5/8"    125-150
10mm  45-55
12mm  70-80
14mm  85-95

Haven't ever had a wheel come off so I guess that I'm doing it right or have gotten lucky...

[WZ JUNK]

Hooley uses a torque wrench on the lug nuts of the race cars.  I have never torqued the lug nuts on any of my own vehicles.  The one time I did torque wrench the lug nuts was on the Dodge truck that we were using to tow the Studebaker to the salt flats.  I checked the lugs before we left from home, and again before we left Wendover.  Midway across Nebraska the left rear wheel came off of the truck and we went for a ride I will not forget.  

Just passing along my experience with lug nuts.

John