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Old 10-24-2015, 05:32 AM   #1
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Torque and Nitrogen

I'm going to ask 2 simple questions for the vets. How much torque on lug nuts? I believe lug nuts are 1/2"?

Also tires have nitrogen in them where do I go if I need to add air?

Thanks for all your help.

Taking our 2 nd trip and going to Silver Palms for 4 days.
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Old 10-24-2015, 05:39 AM   #2
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Are your Rims Steel or Alum? Have you removed them or torqued them before? Youroo!! Use Air to inflate!
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Old 10-24-2015, 05:51 AM   #3
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Normal torque on a 1/2" stud is 90lb/ft to 120lb/ft. I shoot for 105lb/ft - 110lb/ft regardless of whether it is steel or alum. Steel wheels usually will stay torqued with one tightening to set, whereas alum wheels will take 2-3 tightening's to be set.
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Old 10-24-2015, 06:26 AM   #4
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Just do a search on the keyword Nitrogen and you'll have enough to read over the winter.
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Old 10-24-2015, 06:54 AM   #5
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Talking Nitrogen

I once pulled into a Tire Shop to get a tire aired up.The guy tried to sell me on having all 4 tires filled with Nitrogen, for 20 bucks a tire. I told him, I got 80% Nitrogen in them now, for free.
His reply?
"Uhhh, Where'd ya get that?"
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Old 10-24-2015, 07:16 AM   #6
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I check my pressure once a year, in fact it has not changed in 16 months since I put new tires on with rubber valve stems, no TPMS and Nitrogen.
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Old 10-24-2015, 07:21 AM   #7
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I use a 4 way with my 53 yr old 230lb rear end behind it. I use it before I hit the road and spot check them at every stop. After having the wheels off for anything I check them at 10/25/50 and spot check at every whiz stop, which is more often the older I get. I have never lost a wheel and I have towed a few trailers a few miles. Take your trailer for a safety inspection, brakes, or new tires, and I'll bet you a torque wrench (Snap on or Cornwell, not a HF Pittsburgh pro) that the guy grabbed his trusty impact gun and left them (your nuts) have it. Ask him specifically if they used a torque wrench they'll say "sure did"......they didn't.

It amuses me when people run out and buy a torque wrench at Harbor Freight or Northern China Tool. If that makes you feel better and safer go ahead. Its your money. There is no telling how many lbs/ft theyre getting them to but they feel better. I prefer to spend my money on beer.

Nitrogen? Take a heat gun and peel the advertisement off the side of the trailer.
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Old 10-24-2015, 07:28 AM   #8
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For get the Nitro. I got rid of it in my tires. I have to check lugs every so often as it seems the Aluminum will never stay tight. Check air every trip and yep the aluminum seems to want to loose a little. Later RJD
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Old 10-24-2015, 07:30 AM   #9
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Most Tire Shops use (Torque Sticks) rite or wrong that is what they use! I use My (SnapOn T/R)! Youroo!!
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Old 10-24-2015, 07:59 AM   #10
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I torque my wheels at 100 #' and always keep 78% nitrogen in all five tires.
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Old 10-24-2015, 08:34 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Havercamp View Post
I use a 4 way with my 53 yr old 230lb rear end behind it. I use it before I hit the road and spot check them at every stop. After having the wheels off for anything I check them at 10/25/50 and spot check at every whiz stop, which is more often the older I get. I have never lost a wheel and I have towed a few trailers a few miles. Take your trailer for a safety inspection, brakes, or new tires, and I'll bet you a torque wrench (Snap on or Cornwell, not a HF Pittsburgh pro) that the guy grabbed his trusty impact gun and left them (your nuts) have it. Ask him specifically if they used a torque wrench they'll say "sure did"......they didn't.

It amuses me when people run out and buy a torque wrench at Harbor Freight or Northern China Tool. If that makes you feel better and safer go ahead. Its your money. There is no telling how many lbs/ft theyre getting them to but they feel better. I prefer to spend my money on beer.

Nitrogen? Take a heat gun and peel the advertisement off the side of the trailer.
That is just untrue. When they replaced my tires they used the air gun, then asked me what torque do I want on them. The Second time they pulled them to install metal stems the same thing was done and asked. I watched them use the Torque wrench. How are you supposed to know the Torque with out one? You can use it on a lot more then just lug nuts. I guess you do it by feel, well good luck with that one, I'll be the fool that buy's it for $21.00 bucks, link attached. one...http://www.harborfreight.com/media/c...mage_24093.jpg
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Old 10-24-2015, 08:58 AM   #12
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That is just untrue. When they replaced my tires they used the air gun, then asked me what torque do I want on them. The Second time they pulled them to install metal stems the same thing was done and asked. I watched them use the Torque wrench. How are you supposed to know the Torque with out one? You can use it on a lot more then just lug nuts. I guess you do it by feel, well good luck with that one, I'll be the fool that buy's it for $21.00 bucks, link attached. one...http://www.harborfreight.com/media/c...mage_24093.jpg

Mine is an old Craftsman beam style.
You can still buy them at Sears for $23.
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Old 10-24-2015, 09:00 AM   #13
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I try to keep 78% Nitrogen in my tires but I have been having a hard time finding an affordable gauge that allows me to measure the percentage. I certainly don't want to get it wrong.
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Old 10-24-2015, 09:12 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by youroo View Post
Most Tire Shops use (Torque Sticks) rite or wrong that is what they use! I use My (SnapOn T/R)! Youroo!!
At least they are better than nothing! My tire shop uses a regular torque wrench.
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Old 10-24-2015, 09:27 AM   #15
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I carry and use a Williams torque wrench calibrated @ Lockheed Martin when I worked there. Calibration has long since expired, but I have 2 other Williams torque wrenches, 1 is a beam style and one a click/sight and they all check within about 5# of each other. I wouldn't trust one from Harbor Freight to be accurate or one from Northern Tool unless it was a brand name.
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Old 10-24-2015, 09:53 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by gljurczyk View Post
That is just untrue. When they replaced my tires they used the air gun, then asked me what torque do I want on them. The Second time they pulled them to install metal stems the same thing was done and asked. I watched them use the Torque wrench. How are you supposed to know the Torque with out one? You can use it on a lot more then just lug nuts. I guess you do it by feel, well good luck with that one.

Glad you found a good shop that actually does it that way. The vast majority do not and that includes car dealers, RV dealers, Tire dealers, mechanics. Hang on to those guys because ones you can trust are few and far between.

I use a torque wrench on head gaskets and bearing caps....not so much on lug nuts. I can tell when a lug nut is tight or not.
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Old 10-24-2015, 09:59 AM   #17
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OC I think that Pittsburg is good wrench for the money, much better then trying to feel the Torque.1/2 in. Drive Click Type Torque Wrench

"Impressive accuracy, amazing value."
Car Craft Magazine I bought mine at Napa thats what they sell....I know it might not be up to Lockheed Martin standards, but knew that buying it at Napa. Also life time warranty. At least I will be closer then feel. After Goodyear did my lugs, I tested mine and it clicked. I do understand your point...
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Old 10-24-2015, 10:00 AM   #18
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... I can tell when a lug nut is tight or not.
How can you tell the studs are at 75% proof load vs 50% or 90%?
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Old 10-24-2015, 10:12 AM   #19
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Originally Posted by gljurczyk View Post
OC I think that Pittsburg is good wrench for the money, much better then trying to feel the Torque.1/2 in. Drive Click Type Torque Wrench

"Impressive accuracy, amazing value."
Car Craft Magazine I bought mine at Napa thats what they sell....I know it might not be up to Lockheed Martin standards, but knew that buying it at Napa. Also life time warranty. At least I will be closer then feel. After Goodyear did my lugs, I tested mine and it clicked. I do understand your point...
Should be ok, mine was just calibrated @ LM, LM uses different brand name torque wrenches, but they all had to be calibrated to MIL-STD-45662A when I was doing quality system audits, I think it is ISO 17025 now.
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Old 10-29-2015, 03:25 PM   #20
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I bought a Northern Tool TW in a pinch before. Standard 1/2" clicker style. Surprisingly it's about 5# off from my SnapOn. Stays in my trail tool kit when off-roading.

My local tire shop will spin lugs on with an impact set at around 50# then torque to spec by hand. Beats wrenching each nut on by hand.
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