Breaking lug nuts

[6shotz]

I am the original owner of a 1997 2500 slt extended cab and I

have gone through over 2 full sets of lugs in the front and about 4

individual lugs in the rear since the truck was about 1 year old.

The problem started when I switched from the stock chrome wheels and tires to 305's with Panther aluminum 5 spoke wheels.

The shop I bought them from has put this setup on alot of other Dodge trucks with no problems. Has anyone out there encountered this problem before? I appreciate any input.

 

[Missouri Mule]

No, 6shotz but I have noticed in the service manual not to use them on 3500's don't know about 2500's.

I'm using the chrome lugs so far so good.

Are the ones they are instaling long enough.

You mite have to go longer ones or different style/material(black as in impact sockets).

 

[6shotz]

Thanks Missouri they are all OEM lugs and proper length.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Do the lug nuts have the standard taper seat? Alcoa says not to use chromed nuts as they won't hold torque with aluminum wheels. If the lug nuts get a little loose, the studs can shear easily, especially with oversized tires. Also recheck torque of every nut at several mileage increments after installation.



I assume you are really talking about broken studs not lug nuts as the thread is entitled.

 

[Glen Pratt]

Get yourself some McGard lug nuts. They are of very high quality and will not rust. I received lug nuts with my wheels that were very cheap and they ended up cross threaded from the force of my big tires. They wouldn't hold a torque setting, cheap metal. I had 6 out of 8 wheel studs shear off once after exiting a highway were I was previously doing 70mph. I exited the highway, made a right turn, and my right front wheel started wobbling. Pulled over and the remaining two wheel studs were right next to each other. Very scary. I got lucky. Also get yourself a good torque wrench and torque your lug nuts to 140 ft/lbs. An air impact wrench just doesn't cut it. Think about it, if your compressor has a full tank of air maybe you'll get 100 ft. /lbs. of torque for the first wheel. Then the air tank tank starts to empty and you are getting less and less torque from your impact gun. A torque wrench is a necessity with bigger tires. Just imagine the force on those eight wheel studs, especially on the front wheels taking turns at speed. Also check them periodically for proper torque. Do this and will have no problems. -Glen Pratt

 

[6shotz]

Glen Pratt The Truck Shop installed these for me in 1998 and since your from the island you should know he does really good work and doesn't use crap. All the nuts are Mcgard and I do snug them down by hand myself and check them from time to time. I'm wondering if the change in heat from hot (running and braking) to cold is part of the problem. My truck weighs in at about 8000# w/o any lumber or materials so weight shouldn't be an issue. P. S. does your truck say GOT DIESEL on the back window? If so I've seen you a few times on W. F. P.







6shotz

 

['956Wheel]

Aluminum is "sticky" and oxidizes, you may want to consider a bit of anti-seize to avoid locked up lug nuts. Anti seize is used on a lot of heavy equipment when torque is critical due to "true" readings being important.



Mike

 

[6shotz]

956wheel,



what does sticky aluminum have to do w/ steel lugs and steel nuts? The wheels are aluminum but oxidation does not occur over the life of the wheel even 1/4 of a turn on the threads. I would tend to think that the biggest problem would be overtightening the wheel and shaving away some aluminum. good thinking on the anti seize but I do that every time I rotate the tires. I'm starting to wonder if this is just a freak problem. :{ :{ Hey wait maybe my mother in law has a voodoo truck like mine and she is breaking the tires off :--)



I'm all ears,



6shotz

 

[Glen Pratt]

6shotz, The only other thing I can suggest is to check the Moroso web-site www.moroso.com and purchase some high strength wheel studs. The Moroso wheel studs are made of high grade SAE 8740 steel that withstands shear loads of 190,000 psi. This is supposed to be greater than Grade 8 hardware. Since I've been torqueing my wheel studs to 140 ft. /lbs. (the 3500 factory spec. ) I haven't had a problem since. You're definitely right about the Truck Shop. Paul is a real good guy, and they do build some nice trucks. I bought my Dirt Grips from him. Yeah that's me you saw on William Floyd Parkway, big-ass purple 2500 spewing a cloud. Gotta love these trucks. I sent you an e-mail. Regards, -Glen