soft socket for lug bolts
#28
#30
103 ft-lbs sounds awful high for a M14 bolt. The 17mm torque stick that the dealer uses to tighten your lugs when you have the car in for service is calibrated for 80 ft-lbs. Every other car with that size lug has a factory spec of 78-88 ft-lbs. What's your source for that information?
EDIT: Those nylon sockets are nice to have, but if you're looking for a quick fix that works, give your 17mm impact socket one go-around with electrical tape and that will work just fine at protecting your alloys.
EDIT: Those nylon sockets are nice to have, but if you're looking for a quick fix that works, give your 17mm impact socket one go-around with electrical tape and that will work just fine at protecting your alloys.
#31
103 ft-lbs sounds awful high for a M14 bolt. The 17mm torque stick that the dealer uses to tighten your lugs when you have the car in for service is calibrated for 80 ft-lbs. Every other car with that size lug has a factory spec of 78-88 ft-lbs. What's your source for that information?
If the dealer's only tightening the bolts to 80 lbf-ft, they're under-tightening them. 80 lbf-ft might have been okay with the old 12mm x 1.5mm bolts, where the spec was 88 lbf-ft, but not for the newer bolts.
#32
That spec is from the owner's manual. Part of the reason for the higher torque is the 1.25mm thread pitch on the bolts. Just about every other M14 lug bolt on the market uses a 1.5mm thread.
If the dealer's only tightening the bolts to 80 lbf-ft, they're under-tightening them. 80 lbf-ft might have been okay with the old 12mm x 1.5mm bolts, where the spec was 88 lbf-ft, but not for the newer bolts.
If the dealer's only tightening the bolts to 80 lbf-ft, they're under-tightening them. 80 lbf-ft might have been okay with the old 12mm x 1.5mm bolts, where the spec was 88 lbf-ft, but not for the newer bolts.
4cfed4, if your dealer is using an 80 ft lb torque stick on your wheels with no final torque down with a torque wrench to proper spec you had better check your lugs asap. It's hard to believe they are that stupid, but you never know.
#34
I always use my 1/2" impact wrench for removing lug nuts/bolts, and I'll use my 3/8" air ratchet to install the nuts/bolts, followed by a torque wrench for the final tightening, since I know I'll never over-tighten the bolts with the 3/8".
But I'd never use an impact wrench for the final tightening - personally, I've just seen too many cases of cracked hubs, damaged alloy wheels, and bolts that have had the threads wiped clean off by over-tightening.
On the other hand, if it's worked for you for this long, you're obviously doing it right.
But I'd never use an impact wrench for the final tightening - personally, I've just seen too many cases of cracked hubs, damaged alloy wheels, and bolts that have had the threads wiped clean off by over-tightening.
On the other hand, if it's worked for you for this long, you're obviously doing it right.
#36
#37
After reading the lawyer's comment on the "tailpipe service bulletin" thread, I'm not sure that telling the world online that you don't torque your lug bolts is a good idea. Unlikely that would ever cause an accident, but if so, you are apparently on record as being knowingly negligent.
I think MINI has their own problems in that department. Even though the 12mm -> 14mm lug bolt switchover happened in mid-2006, the 2006 owner's manuals were never updated with the new torque spec (which is 15-20% higher). My 2006 manual lists 88 lbf-ft for the torque spec, even though my car came with the new larger bolts.
Of course, the coupe transitioned to the R56 for the 2007 model year, and when they re-wrote the entire owner's manual, MINI updated the torque spec. But for the convertible, I believe even the 2007 owner's manual still listed the incorrect torque spec. I think MINI finally updated the spec in the 2008 convertible manual - about 18 months after the bolt switchover occurred.
#39
If you think the dealer is tightening each and every one of your lugs with a dial-type torque wrench, you're a bit of an optimist. I've worked at several BMW/Mini dealerships, as well as other auto repair shops. Standard procedure is using the 17mm red torque stick, which tightens to 80 ft-lbs +/- 5 ft.lbs, then doing a final check with a present 80 ft-lb wrench. The BMW dealer did not have a 100 ft-lb wrench, but I did use one at the general auto repair place, when it was needed for higher torque applications. Truth be told, there is not that much difference between 80-100 ft-lbs, neither is going to be so much that it warps a rotor, or so little that you risk having your lugs come loose.
#40
If you think the dealer is tightening each and every one of your lugs with a dial-type torque wrench, you're a bit of an optimist.
#41
#42
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#44
#45
So, even if the tire guys torqued your nuts, they may still be out of spec.
Mike
#47
Just buy a can of Plasti-Dip from Home depot or Lowes and spray a regular socket and you will get the same effect for $5 bucks! Plus, then you only need to buy one 17MM socket. This works really well and it peels off if you are ever in too tight of an area and the socket won't fit, just peel it off and reapply when done!
#48
+1, I have a very expensive 1/2" Ingersoll-Rand Titanium impact gun that has the perfect setting on it for 90 PSI, it takes them off like butter and puts them on around 85 ft/lb! I do the same thing and it is always perfect, I don't even get my torque wrench out.
#49
An easy and quick remedy to keeping you lug nuts unscratched is to simply use a plastic sandwich bag between your socket and lug nuts. The torque of the bolts is uneffected and they will remain scratch free. I have been using this method on my GP since new and my lug nuts look like the day I picked up the car.
Steve
Steve
#50
Now, I do torque my lugnuts when I go to the track but for the street, I'm fine.
An easy and quick remedy to keeping you lug nuts unscratched is to simply use a plastic sandwich bag between your socket and lug nuts. The torque of the bolts is uneffected and they will remain scratch free. I have been using this method on my GP since new and my lug nuts look like the day I picked up the car.
Steve
Steve
Freezer or regular? Gallon or sandwich?
Seriously, that's a fantastic idea.... never thought about it.
Thanks,
Mark
Last edited by orangecrush; 12-30-2009 at 04:55 AM.
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