Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:25:40 -0500
Reply-To: mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject: Re: lug nuts torque-
In-Reply-To: <085601cb14a5$2bfc5e70$6401a8c0@PROSPERITY>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
---- Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM> wrote:
> and checking how tight they are after getting van back from a tire store -
> very smart !
Just got back. Lug bolts (not nuts, which I said previously in error) were torqued at the shop to the 130 ft. lbs specified in the owner's book (I saw the tech make the adjustment on the wrench and tighten to the click). An odd thing there (Discount Tires): the clerk ("Assistant Manager" -- aren't they all?) told me his spec for the torque was 120 ft. lbs, and showed me on his computer screen. I questioned that, and he read further, finding that his program stated that the 120 ft. lbs was for lug nuts, and that the torque for lug bolts might differ (but it didn't specify what it should be).
Do any of you have nuts on studs, rather than bolts in holes? Just askin'............... .
BTW, I have no trouble loosening the lugs with my 4-way (just checked after returning from the tire shop), but I likely will get a breaker and socket -- for the easier storage if for nothing else. Why haul around 3 extra arms and sockets I don't need? So, is an inexpensive breaker ok, or do I need to pay a higher dollar? Are they adjustable for torque, or do I use it like I have always used any lug wrench -- tighten until it seems right?
Wow, I seem naive for an old fart, but I've never used anything other than a lug wrench on wheels.
Another question -- The owner's manual says to rotate the tires front to back and back to front, with no crossover. That's like we used to do with directional radials, but most are not directional now. I have symmetrical tires, and I like to include the spare in the rotation. The tire shop guy first said to just move them around the vehicle in a circular fashion including the spare. Then he found in his service book that said if the customer insists on including the spare in the rotation to switch the spare for the right front, which becomes the spare, cross the rears to the front, move the fronts straight back to the rear. I have always crossed rears to front as his service book said, but I was just wondering what most folks do. Also, his service book stated that it is "not recommended" to include the spare in the rotation. Why would that be? He had no explanation. I prefer to include the spare in the rotation so as not to accumulate an old but not used tire -- I bought five tires new 14 months ago, and they now have a bit over 6K miles. At that rate, these tires will still be around in 8 or 10 years. I should use all five, seems to me. BTW, they are Kumho 857s, and they are wearing wonderfully well -- nice and even across the tread, even around all four tires.
David McNeely
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