Date:         Fri, 8 Jul 2005 22:02:07 -0400
Reply-To:     Wil Haslup <wil@CHARMFX.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Wil Haslup <wil@CHARMFX.COM>
Subject:      lug nut torque?
Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Do Vanagon lugs require being tighter than any other car lugs?

Reason I ask is I recently had a front brake job done by a non-VW
specialist in their shop.

Subsequently I had to work on the stabilizer link bushings.  That repair
got done but in trying to take off the wheel I found I couldn't budge
the lugs with a four way lug wrench.

I had to use a long length of pipe I keep in my carport for a breaking
bar.  With the pipe over an end of the four way I applied pressure to
the pipe... took it to nearly 30 degrees from starting position and
ultimately left the four way slightly bent but I got 'em all off.

I plan on loosening the other lugs with the bar before I have a flat and
find I can't get the wheel off.

After tightening them by hand with the four way I've driven a bit and
things seem fine.

Since the vanagon lugs aren't actually nuts but bolts I'm wondering if
there is some difference in how tight they should be?

I can't find a torque spec for them.

Was this just the result of a mechanic with an air ratchet and no
thought for the poor owner?


--

Wil


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