<VV> lug nut torque

[Vairtec Corporation]

Mike Kovacs wrote:

Can't find it in the LM books. I was using 65 lb ft. Any other opinions?


and I replied:

Yes -- I tighten them as tight as I can while still being able to loosen 
them again with the stock jack handle.  I have never used a torque 
wrench on them and couldn't even guess as to the torque spec.  I have 
never had 'em come loose, and never been unable to change a flat.

This assumes stock steel wheels with stock lug nuts.


Then Bryan Blackwell replied:

Wow, and we call Pete the caveman :-)

Since I live in the rusty east, all my lugs get anti-sieze. Since that 
reduces the required torque I use 60 foot pounds, and I can get the lug 
nuts off with a stock jack handle too.


I now reply:

Bryan, I live in the rustier east, 200 mile north of you.  Here in my 
cave, not only do I not use a torque wrench on lug nuts, I don't use 
anti-sieze on them either.  I just tighten them, umph, good enough, and 
the wheels stay on but come off when I want them to.

You engineers think too much. :-)