Removing and putting back on wheels

Loppysaurusrex

Loppysaurusrex

Well-Known Member
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So I did some wheel detailing today and I removed my wheels fine but the manual was vague on putting the wheel back on.

After I put the wheel back on I tightened the lug nuts as tight as I could with my arm strength, then I removed the jack and used my body weight to leverage the nuts back on (not exactly star pattern)

How important is the star pattern and did I do this right?
 
It is quite important to get the lug nut tightened properly. It could cause catastrophic problems i.e. wheels coming off while driving. Lugs should always be tightened to original torque specs and in the star pattern to ensure the lugs are tightened evenly.
 
Sarcras said:
It is quite important to get the lug nut tightened properly. It could cause catastrophic problems i.e. wheels coming off while driving. Lugs should always be tightened to original torque specs and in the star pattern to ensure the lugs are tightened evenly.
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How do I measure torque if I don't have special equipment?

Also do I perform the star pattern while the car is raised and then again when the car is lowered?
 
You need a torque wrench to properly measure the amount of torque. There really is no other way to measure the amount of torque that I know of. You would tighten them in that pattern both raised and back on the ground. Only hand tighten when raised then torque when back on the ground.
 
Sarcras said:
You need a torque wrench to properly measure the amount of torque. There really is no other way to measure the amount of torque that I know of. You would tighten them in that pattern both raised and back on the ground. Only hand tighten when raised then torque when back on the ground.
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Would using body weight be sufficient to tighten? I weigh 180 pounds and I stepped on the wrench until it would not turn anymore
 
Loppysaurusrex said:
Would using body weight be sufficient to tighten? I weigh 180 pounds and I stepped on the wrench until it would not turn anymore
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I wold stop doing this immediately. That is way too much force on a lug stud and you will snap them.

Lug nuts should go to 80lbs. Unless you have experience tightening to a spec you might not know how hard to tighten them. I've done it enough now that I'm within a few pounds before measuring. It's hard to describe how much 80lbs is as we are all at different levels. You should be able to do it by hand with the provided short wrench. They should be tight that it won't turn easy, but not maxed out. I'm not sure if that helps but you shouldn't need additional body weight to move tighten.
 
Twitch said:
I wold stop doing this immediately. That is way too much force on a lug stud and you will snap them.

Lug nuts should go to 80lbs. Unless you have experience tightening to a spec you might not know how hard to tighten them. I've done it enough now that I'm within a few pounds before measuring. It's hard to describe how much 80lbs is as we are all at different levels. You should be able to do it by hand with the provided short wrench. They should be tight that it won't turn easy, but not maxed out. I'm not sure if that helps but you shouldn't need additional body weight to move tighten.
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Thanks, I'll remove the wheel later and add it back, but does this mean I tighten the wheel using the wrench by hand while the wheel is raised and then again when lowered?

Also note that I had to use body weight to loosen the lug nuts, I was kinda applying the same logic when tightening :P
 
Loppysaurusrex said:
Thanks, I'll remove the wheel later and add it back, but does this mean I tighten the wheel using the wrench by hand while the wheel is raised and then again when lowered?

Also note that I had to use body weight to loosen the lug nuts, I was kinda applying the same logic when tightening :P
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The logic is sound but I find most shops over tighten lug nuts. Both times that I've snapped lug studs have been after a shop over tightened and cross threaded.

I tighten by hand with the wrench or a 19mm socket on an extension. This means tight that the wheel isn't moving around but you shouldn't have to strain to tighten.
 
Twitch said:
The logic is sound but I find most shops over tighten lug nuts. Both times that I've snapped lug studs have been after a shop over tightened and cross threaded.

I tighten by hand with the wrench or a 19mm socket on an extension. This means tight that the wheel isn't moving around but you shouldn't have to strain to tighten.
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So tighten to the point where the wheel won't move by arm strength, but still loose enough where I can tighten the lug nuts without straining my arms?

Also what about the tightening while raised and then lowered?
 
Question: The manual states that you should use 80 lb-ft to tighten the lug nuts, but it shows the LX civic wheels, is it the same for the SI wheels?
 
Loppysaurusrex said:
So tighten to the point where the wheel won't move by arm strength, but still loose enough where I can tighten the lug nuts without straining my arms?

Also what about the tightening while raised and then lowered?
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Strain is relative, that's why you use a torque wrench.

When the car is up in the air you should hand tighten. You shouldn't have to strain to do this. Example would be an un braced rear wheel. If the parking brake is not on and the wheel is up in the air it will spin. Hand tight would be as tight as you can get it without having to brace the wheel to keep it from spinning. What your trying to do is make sure that when you set the car down the wheels are straight and on the studs properly.

When the car is on the ground you tighten to 80 ft lbs. in my experience you need to apply force but not over do it. I find that 80 ft lbs will actually rock the car a little. If you pull up on the wrench you can feel the car lift a little.

I'm not sure if this helps at all. It's hard to describe something I've just done and taken for granted for years. Best bet is to get a torque wrench so you can get a calculated feel on what you are doing.
 
If you have a Harbor Freight near you its well worth it to get a coupon and their 1/2" torque wrench. I paid $9.99 for mine and it has served well so far.

One thing to remember with torque wrenches is when your done using it you always store it at its lowest setting and not 0 or all the way loose. This helps maintain the calibration and ensures its accuracy.

If your in an absolute pinch like on the side of the road you can use the lug tool that came with the car and you can apply sufficient leverage to torque the lugs until you can get home to check them or to a shop. The star pattern is always 100% mandatory as it evenly seats the wheel on the hub and provides an even distribution of clamping force.
 
Twitch said:
Strain is relative, that's why you use a torque wrench.

When the car is up in the air you should hand tighten. You shouldn't have to strain to do this. Example would be an un braced rear wheel. If the parking brake is not on and the wheel is up in the air it will spin. Hand tight would be as tight as you can get it without having to brace the wheel to keep it from spinning. What your trying to do is make sure that when you set the car down the wheels are straight and on the studs properly.

When the car is on the ground you tighten to 80 ft lbs. in my experience you need to apply force but not over do it. I find that 80 ft lbs will actually rock the car a little. If you pull up on the wrench you can feel the car lift a little.

I'm not sure if this helps at all. It's hard to describe something I've just done and taken for granted for years. Best bet is to get a torque wrench so you can get a calculated feel on what you are doing.
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Yea I got someone bringing me a wrench.

So just to recap:

1) *while lifted* use factory wrench to tighten lug nuts in star pattern, tighten to arm strength
2) lower car
3) Use torque wrench to tighten to 80 pound feet in star pattern

Correct?
 
Ok so I redid the tightening and my car works and droves fine but idk of I'm paranoid but it looks like my 1 wheel may have some camber and I did make the mistake of loosening a bolt while the wheel was raised (using foot pressure to loosen), is it possible I damaged the suspension by applying a lot of pressure while the wheel was raised?
 
Think of how much you weigh versus the weight of the car sitting on the wheel. You're fine.
 
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