The wheel studs and lug nuts fasten your vehicle's wheels to the rotating hubs. Overtightened or loose lug nuts can allow the wheel to flex and vibrate, causing a safety hazard. Wheel studs come in different sizes and pitches; the lug nuts have three seat arrangements: tapered, mag seat and ball seat. Wheel studs and lug nuts have been designed for certain vehicle designs and weights. Manufacturers require strict adherence to wheel stud torque specifications.
Torque specifications can be found in most shop repair manuals, in the owner's manual. The auto dealership will also be able to look up the information for you. The procedure for torquing lug nuts to wheel studs requires that the threads be clean and in good condition and that no anti-seize, grease or oil be used on the nuts or studs during installation. Torque specifications apply to dry installation only.
A 12-by-1.5 mm stud or bolt requires a torque of 70-80 pound-feet. The number of turns of engagement before lug nuts sit flush with the backing hardware is 6 1/2.
A stud or bolt size of 12-by-1.25 mm requires a torque of 70-80 pound-feet. The number of turns of engagement before the lug nuts sit flush with the backing hardware is eight.
A stud or bolt size of 14-by-1.5 mm requires a torque of 85-90 pound-feet. The number of turns of engagement before the lug nuts sit flush with the backing hardware is 7 1/2.
A stud or bolt size of 14-by-1.25 mm requires a torque of 80-90 pound-fee. The number of turns of engagement before the lug nuts sit flush with the backing hardware is nine.
A stud or bolt size of 7/16 inch requires a torque of 70-80 pound-feet. The number of turns of engagement before the lug nuts sit flush with the backing hardware is eight.
A stud or bolt size of 1/2 inch requires a torque of 75-80 pound-feet. The number of turns of engagement before the lug nuts sit flush with the backing hardware is eight.
A stud or bolt size of 9/16 inch requires a torque of 135-145 pound-feet. The number of turns of engagement before the lug nuts sit flush with the backing hardware is eight.
For a four lug nut pattern the torquing sequence goes from the top left lug, to the diagonal bottom, to the other bottom, then up to the top right. For five and six lug nut patterns, the tightening torque can start at any bolt, and from there it goes in a star-shape pattern, alternating between high and low lug nuts.
