Wheelnut torque setting

[Gloucestershire AR]

1988 car with Ford studs and Caterham 8 spoke wheels. Have always run 45 ft lbs torque but it's been suggested that's too low.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[Tazio]

It's 55 lbs ft for Ford hubs, and 45 ft lbs for Ital hubs

[Gloucestershire AR]

Thanks Tazio - much appreciated.

[ScottR400D]

FWIW the Caterham recommendation which has been 75Nm (55ft lb) for years has relatively recently changed to 85Nm (63ft lb).

[Shortshift]

"FWIW the Caterham recommendation which has been 75Nm (55ft lb) for years has relatively recently changed to 85Nm (63ft lb)."

And I add 5Nm to that, taking me to 90Nm, as I like the feeling of added security that brings!

James

[DW199]

Do you torque your wheel nuts greased or dry?  I used to apply a smear of copper grease but then I was told this could lead to over-tightening. 

[Amos91]

I leave the studs dry, never had an issue removing them so copper slip seems a bit OTT. 

[Tazio]

The problem you get with overtightening especially on the early front hubs is the hubs crack around the bolts.....

[ScottR400D]

Most wheel nut torque settings would be for dry. 

I've always run mine at 75Nm, never had an issue. After wheels have been off I check after a run out or two but they've always stayed tight, so I don't think I'll go any tighter. 

I'd be interested to know why CC have recently upped the figure. 

[aerobod - near CYYC]

After a full session on the track, the rear nuts loosen to about 50Nm from 75Nm while the hubs are still hot, so the increased 85Nm torque would give a bit better safety margin. I've never seen any torque relaxation on the front nuts, though.

[7 wonders of the world]

worth checking your wheel studs to and changing them if you have the older short versions

[Gloucestershire AR]

Thanks all - I run ali hubs with Ford studs (supplied by James Whiting) and have now upped the torque from 45 to 55 lbs ft. Will think about upping that to 60 or 63 (sorry Newton metres always confuses me!).