Lugnuts

[johnboy]

Does anyone lube the lugnuts on the wheels? I noticed that when I removed the wheels after new tires were mounted, that the torque was not very even . I watched as the installer torqued each one, but they were done dry. That may account for the diff. in torque in that I don't see how one can get an even torque from one to the next if done without lube.The lugs tend to rust etc as do the nuts.

 

[DocL]

I have never heard of putting lube on a lug nut. It's not like you want it to be easy to remove the lug nut with your fingers.

 

[tosugrad]

I put some lube on my last NSX lugs but then you run into the problem of what torque to use. I believe that the torque listed in the book is a "dry" torque. I have seen other cars that list a "wet" torque, IE, after applying some kind of lubricant. Never found that spec for the NSX.

 

[NSXBill2]

As a one-time aerospace bolt/thread/fastener expert, I would say NEVER to lube a bolt or nut upon installation unless directed to by the manual. Lubing threads will GREATLY increase the load on the threads and the clamp-up for a given torque reading. In other words, you will be overtightening, maybe to the point of failure. Upon reinstallation, make sure the threads are free of burrs, clean, and dry.

There are times when the threads are to have something that will lubricate them applied, such as sealant or oil in the case of the drain plug. In these cases, the torque specifications should have been adjusted for that.

I don't know where this "lubing the lugnuts" or "I lube every bolt I put back on" came from, but it bugs me every time I hear it.

Bill

 

[NSXBill2]

Does anyone lube the lugnuts on the wheels? I noticed that when I removed the wheels after new tires were mounted, that the torque was not very even . I watched as the installer torqued each one, but they were done dry. That may account for the diff. in torque in that I don't see how one can get an even torque from one to the next if done without lube.The lugs tend to rust etc as do the nuts.

Clean the rust off of the nuts and studs. Any debris can affect proper clamp-up.

 

[johnboy]

Thanks for the info. I'll continue to do the lugs dry.

 

[oldnews]

I lubed up my boat trailer lugs, it was amazing how little pressure was felt as I broke the hub by overtightening, split it in 2 pieces.

 

[slamstrom]

I always hand tighten the nuts first. Using a torque wrench, I don't torque the nuts completely on the fir round. I tighten the nuts in a star pattern and I take about 3 star paterns to torque to the desired 80 ft-lb. With that being said, all my nuts are pretty even/consistent. Before you guys start to jump in on this opening, I was referring to my lug nuts.:biggrin: