lug nut bolts keep breaking

DO use antiseize.

DO NOT use teflon tape. You will end up gauling your threads. Teflon tape is for sealing fluids (liquids and gases) inside tubing/piping systems.

You can use an extension on a torque wrench as long as the torque wrench remains perpindicular to the extension. In other words you cannot use wobble extensions or the like but you can use straight extensions.

 

dtacow is correct. I'm sorry if people got the wrong idea. DO NOT use Telfon tape on lug nuts. I hope no one on this (forum) thread thought to use it on lugs. It was used as an example of lubricating threads to properly torque in water and gas pipes with tapered threads. Telfon tape is the wrong lubricant for lug nut applications. This is a job for anti-seize where only lateral forces are applied to the (nut/bolt) threads.

Back to the original subject, I have had Les Schwab warp my rotors and break a lug bolt on my old Acura. Pretty bad since I only went there twice - once to get tires and once to complain. I don't like their off brand tires that they claim when purchased are name brand. Les Schwab Zexius is not equal to Falken Ziex. They will do an inspection so that they can tell you it's your fault and for $XXX.XX they will fix it. I can't recommend Lester.

 

An extention is fine. It is when you change the effective length of the torque wrench you have to factor that in with a formula to get the right value.

http://www.engineersedge.com/manufacturing_spec/torque_wrench_1.htm

 

Best advise so far. No manufacturer ever advise to use anything on the treads. Torque them by the specs and you'll be OK.

 

It's amazing how confusing people can make this seem...

I am training to be a Toyota Tech right now and this is how they taught me.

1) Install lug nuts by hand loosely first

2) Use torque stick (60 ft. lbs on Tacomas) with impact wrench on lowest tighten setting

3) Torque to 83 ft. lbs. with torque wrench

Steps 1 & 2 should be done with the car off the ground obviously and Step 3 should be done with the car on the ground.

DO NOT USE ANTI-SEIZE or any other shit!

I hope this clarifies stuff up!

 

I lived in Wisconsin for 24 years and never had any issues with lug nuts hanging up. I just clean the stud off real good and torque them down.

 

I had problems with the stock studs breaking out in the desert at speed, after every hard run I was replacing 3-4 of them and the stock replacements were weaker than the factory studs. I finally used 3" ARP's made for a mitsubishi evo, but they work good. It will strip out a nut before it hurts these things, they're tough. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ARP-100-7717

 

I'm still going to use anti-seize because I'm stubborn and feel it's the right thing to do. Toyota would also have me use Toyota brand oil, windshield fluid, transmission fluid, brake fluid, anti-freeze, air, and water.

If I use the stuff and haven't had a problem and others don't use the stuff and never have a problem then we both do what works for us.

And on we go.

 

Tacosupreme....didn't know you were on TW. You kill that black beast yet?

 

It won't die, it's like a bad zombie movie.

 

seriously? i see recommendations for using anti seize and impact wrenches in this thread?

 

I advised them to use astro glide and a drilldo but nobody would listen.

 

oh god i fucking googled that shit

 

lol. Hope you're not at work, it might make an uncomfortable conversation with your boss.

 

I am at work

 

^ The jigsaw attachment is even more bizarre...

 

The torque value in the owner's manual was specified with dry contact in mind. When you add anti-seize to the threads, it reduces the friction, so for the same torque, the stud is stretched more, potentially causing it to break.

Anti-seize is used between dissimilar metals (e.g. steel spark plug on aluminum head) to prevent galling. Steel lugnut on steel stud doesn't require it. Where I live, they salt the roads so much in the winter that the pavement turns white, yet I have no problems with lugnuts seizing. Be sure to use a closed-end lugnut so moisture doesn't get in.

 

Haha! I been watching you beat/chop/weld that thing for years...keep up the good work.

You still playing insurgent?

 

Nope. I got out and I'm a contractor now, still work at the same place just don't have to stand in formations anymore, lol.

 

Anti-Seize is a definite NO NO!

Impacts are perfectly fine as long as you use a torque stick with a lower value than the specs for the vehicle AND you have the impact on the lowest tighten setting.