Lug Nut Torque

[rbattelle]

Rotated my tires for the first time a couple days ago, which was a real PITA since I didn't have a lift. Anyway, I noticed the service manual says 145 ft-lb for the lug nuts but the owners manual says 145 is for DRW, 135 for SRW (I have SRW).



Anyway, 135 seemed too tight. Made me paranoid that I might crack a wheel! I set them to 125, which for some reason seemed much better. I don't like the way the bolt holes in the aluminum wheels are not tapered, they're straight cut.

 

[willyslover]

"I don't like the way the bolt holes in the aluminum wheels are not tapered, they're straight cut. "...



fyi [if you didn't already know] Dodge rims are hub centric... they mount the hubs on the axel v/s others that are nut centric... that's why your lug nuts are flat on the back, also why some times the rims will "stick" on the hubs



always follow Mfg's torque values on lugs ... you may have one come loose if you don't

 

[Dean Upson]

I have always torqued mine to the factory spec and never had a problem with either the aluminum wheels (on my wife's cars) or the steel wheels on my truck.

It is important to get the torque the same on all the lugs, for that reason I never let them use the air wrench when I get new tires.



Dean

 

[Prairie Dog]

Torque as Dodge suggests, I lost a wheel on a truck with a camper one time - it wasn't pretty.

 

[Briman]

Hi,



I used 125 ft lbs on my y2K 2500 4X4 for 112K miles. They never came loose and were not a hassle to remove either. I have used 125 ft/lbs on all my trucks since 1994. I am using 125 ft/lbs on my 3500 SRW '03 as well.



I'm going from memory here, but if I remember correctly (odds against that) the late 90's 2nd gen trucks had a 125 ft/lbs rating for 2500s and 135 ft lbs for 3500s.



I don't think you would go wrong with either - user choice.



Briman

 

[Bill Stockard]

It is important to get the torque the same on all the lugs, for that reason I never let them use the air wrench when I get new tires.

I rotate my tires myself at every other oil change and use an air powered 1/2" drive impact wrench to remove the lug nuts and to "run them up" on re-installation. The secret is knowing when to let off on the trigger!. I use a torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in two stages.



Yes, when I buy tires, I too won't let the "tire monkeys" use an air wrench to tighten the lug nuts. I watch them to make sure the lug nuts are properly torqued. Since I haul a very heavy camper, I'm a bit fanatical about lug nut torque and tire pressure!!



Bill

 

[Bill Stockard]

It is important to get the torque the same on all the lugs, for that reason I never let them use the air wrench when I get new tires.

I rotate my tires myself at every other oil change and use an air powered 1/2" drive impact wrench to remove the lug nuts and to "run them up" on re-installation. The secret is knowing when to let off on the trigger!. I use a torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in two stages.



Yes, when I buy tires, I too won't let the "tire monkeys" use an air wrench to tighten the lug nuts. I watch them to make sure the lug nuts are properly torqued. Since I haul a very heavy camper, I'm a bit fanatical about lug nut torque and tire pressure!!



Bill

 

[kbarlow]

Originally posted by willyslover

... that's why your lug nuts are flat on the back...

My lug nuts are tapered. Maybe I don't understand what you are saying.



Ken

 

[rbattelle]

My lug nuts are tapered as well. It's the holes in the wheels that are straight.



I guess I'm just paranoid about stripping a stud (PITA) or cracking the aluminum ($$$). 125 ft-lb is within 10% of the recommended torque... close enough. I'm not even convinced my torque wrench is accurate within 10% at 135 ft-lb.

 

[kbarlow]

rbattelle



I agree with you. I don't understand willyslover.



Originally posted by willyslover

... that's why your lug nuts are flat on the back...



Cheers Ken

 

[Ladders]

He's referring to the 3500 DRW that use the flat nuts. The 3500 SRW use tapered just like the 2500 and others.





SOTSU!!

\\BF//

 

[kbarlow]

Thanks Ben

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

The holes in my wheels are tapered on my SRW 2wd. Just rotated them Friday.

 

[willyslover]

excuse me... I've had Dual wheels so long that I forgot the 2500's [single wheel ] were not the same I'm so embarrassed LOL



but IMHO you should have mag style straight lugs if your rims are straight cut... sounds like the wrong lug nuts being used. . again that's going from memory of many years ago. . so please call a good rim co's customer service and inquire be sure to call one that has straight cut holes