Thread: Watch your nuts guys!!!

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Today while I was driving my 27 T tudor the left front wheels came off, passed me by and then veered off into a tree. All of the five lug nuts stripped off. I had all I could do to keep it going down the road straight. Like I was only going and estimated 25 mph when it happened. Soooooooooo guys tighten your nuts.

Didn't hurt anything else on the car did you Tom????

Wow....

Glad to see you came out ok.

Had that happen on a C4 vette about wo years ago..Ruined the hood..Guess it coulda been worse..

I'm going to order new studs and lug nuts tomorrow, they were the only thing that broke.
I drove it home yesterday from my son's place (10 miles) and it started missing, so today I replaced one of my newly rebuilt coils for the best of my old ones. Luckly I just took it for a spin around the block (really scooted) when it fell off. I was almost straight across the back of my house, went through the back yards, grabbed my floor jack, some extra nuts and put it back on. When I got home I checked the others and they ALL were some what loose. Lucky Me!!!!

Sounds like you were using Chinese repro wheel nuts. They look pretty, but they have all the strength of wet oatmeal. They're just good for rolling the car on and off a trailer. Get some ugly old Ford nuts for driving.

Thx for the reminder.. I need a new set of lugs for the 64C10. Need to get the 'wide shoulder' nuts, as some of the lug holes on the wheels are getting a bit worn, and the lug nuts are close to popping right thru the holes. Do ya think Fastenall carries them?

Originally Posted by firebird77clone

Thx for the reminder.. I need a new set of lugs for the 64C10. Need to get the 'wide shoulder' nuts, as some of the lug holes on the wheels are getting a bit worn, and the lug nuts are close to popping right thru the holes. Do ya think Fastenall carries them?

looking for a bigger body nut like Howe racing sell . for the circle track guys ?? but sounds like the rims are on ther way out

Originally Posted by firebird77clone

Thx for the reminder.. I need a new set of lugs for the 64C10. Need to get the 'wide shoulder' nuts, as some of the lug holes on the wheels are getting a bit worn, and the lug nuts are close to popping right thru the holes. Do ya think Fastenall carries them?

I'd be real careful with those wheels - if the lug holes are wallowed out from being too loose you might just have some cracks in the center section radiating out from those holes then off goes a wheel and so do you!!!

my mom was having a problem with lugs loosening on her car ( '02 Concorde ).. ended up being the lug holes were worn.. a used set of '96 Intrepid aluminum wheels with excellent tires on it from the U pull it for $75 and it was all better..

I must be too much of a racer, I still use the torque wrench on mine, and the 500 mile re-torque.

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

I must be too much of a racer, I still use the torque wrench on mine, and the 500 mile re-torque.

I torque mine too.. when my mom was having problems w/ hers, I just cranked them as tight as I could get.. warped rotors bad, but when you feel the tire wobbelling on the hub going 60, it's not fun... I tightened them when there were only a few threads each holding on.. miles from home.. I torque the wheels now at 100 and call it good. torque is mid 90's 4 it I think.

As far as torque settings, I had to ask Billet Specialties for the torque requirements (85lb ft) for my project car wheels. Any dealer should have that information or if not, then contact the manufacturer. I do use a torque wrench - my F350 - they torque at 150 lb ft, and for sure my arm is not calibrated for that setting

I couldn't find this in my email file when I first wrote my reply. This is for Billet Specialties wheels (and my guess, for most other after market aluminum wheels - but still, you need to ask the mfr)

The correct lug nut torque depends on what size studs you have (see below):

7/16" = 70-80ft. lbs.
1/2' = 75-85 ft. lbs.
9/16' = 100-115ft. lbs.
5/8'' = 125-135 ft. lbs.
10mm = 45-55 ft. lbs.
12mm = 75-85 ft. lbs.
14mm = 85-95 ft. lbs.
16mm = 125-150 ft. lbs.

A few years ago I was going down the interstate on my way to work around 5:00am in my 91 Corvette pushing the throttle a bit when my right front tire spun completely off the rim! I was able to pull over and call for a tow.

Two days before I had those new (at the time) high speed run flat tires installed. I told the guy at the shop they looked a bit low but he ensured me that they all look that way and they were fine.

I bought run flats and they ran flat off my car!

Where do you find the torque specs for aftermarket wheels? I have American Racing Torque Thrust II's on my Deuce project...getting close to fire up and I have looked on the American Racing Web site to find the torque specs for these wheels. Couldn't find anything. Somebody point me in the right direction. Thanks.