The Cragar Corporation is a large and well-known manufacturer of wheels. For many cars, Cragar has many styles of custom wheels. Since the wheels are made out of special alloys, care must be taken when tightening the lug nuts. Under-tightening or over-tightening the nuts can warp the wheel or cause it to loosen and wear out the lug holes. For this reason, its imperative you obtain the correct specifications from Cragar and use a torque wrench to properly tighten down the wheels.
First, you must obtain the correct torque specification for your wheel. Thousands of different wheels exist, and Cragar has a specification for each wheel. Contact the Cragar company with your style and model number of wheel. Another source of information is your local dealership that sells Cragar wheels. They may have technical manuals on your wheel, and may be able to provide the information.
Having the correct specification is only half the battle. The other half is knowing what to do with it. You must have a torque wrench, and know how to use it correctly. Most torque wrenches come with an owner's manual to teach you how to use it. If you are not sure about this, a local qualified tire installation technician can assist you mounting the wheels.
All tire mechanics know the correct torque sequence. You do not tighten down one lug all the way, then move on to the other one. This is a sure-fire way to warp a wheel. You must bring the torque up slowly and gradually. Place one lug at the 12 o'clock position. Tighten it to 5 foot-pounds. Move on the the lug at the 5 o'clock position. Tighten it down to 5 foot-pounds. Move on to the lug at the 10 o'clock position. Keep moving around the wheel, tightening each lug in a criss-cross fashion. Work in increasing 5 foot-pound increments, until the correct torque specification is reached. If you are not sure about the procedure, a qualified mechanic or wheel technician can assist you.
Stock factory lug nuts may not work on a Cragar custom wheel. The nut may be too small or have the incorrect conical angle on the mating surface. Using the wrong size or shape of lug nut will destroy the wheel. Seek out the expert assistance of Cragar in this area. They will be able to tell you what lug nuts are appropriate for your wheels.
