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Topic: Damaged lug bolts (Read 1656 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Damaged lug bolts

Reply #20
We believe in torque but have never seen a truck tire shop with a working 400-600 torque wrench. Over tightening can 'yield' the lug nut, stretching it longer and no longer able to keep nut to the tightness setting.

After having two lug nuts overtightened by a truck tire shop. causing them to later break the next time the nut was removed, we started to lubricate stud threads. First, we used gray anti-seize, wiping almost off with a rag after applying. Later we moved to CorrosionX. No more broken studs, at the cost of not being able to correctly torque, as torque specs are for dry threads.

And then there are techs who run the gun pressure to max to remove nuts, but don't realize the 'L' stud is reverse-threaded and they end up damaging stud. Truck tire places are always a risk, as they often put several guys on the job working as fast as they can.

Re: Damaged lug bolts

Reply #21
After having two lug nuts overtightened by a truck tire shop. causing them to later break the next time the nut was removed, we started to lubricate stud threads. First, we used gray anti's, wiping almost off with a rag after applying. Later we moved to Corrosion. No more broken studs, at the cost of not being able to correctly torque, as torque specs are for dry threads.
Over torquing has a cumulative effect on the stud. The more times it's done, the longer the stud becomes plus it loses strength. With MBZ cylinder head bolts, we tightened X foot lbs and then tightened a prescribed number of degrees. But before any of this, we had to measure the total length of the bolt as after being overtightened so many times, it would bottom out in the block before pulling the head down correctly. Long bolts were thrown out.

Using Alcoa's recommended torque with n-seize or just taking 20 percent off, is what is needed to keep the nuts on securely without damaging the stud.

Pierce



Re: Damaged lug bolts

Reply #22
As I recall from way back when,  It was not good to lube a lug nut as that would set you up for the nut to loosen and come off.  I suppose that a small amount of non hardening  anti-seize or graphite would probably be OK, but for me (old technology) I'll stick to dry (but clean) threads.  Also, as I recall,  the metal used in the nuts and studs are such that they were designed to be compatible on a dry basis.  Have a great day  ----  Fritz

Re: Damaged lug bolts

Reply #23
So should I remove my tires and wheels and deliver them to the tire shop? I can roll them into the back of my truck.

I have one stemco oil bath cover seeping and an inner seal seeping also. Might as well do both.

I only have a 1/2 torque wrench so I would have build an extension to get proper torque.
 
How hard is it to source studs and ballpark cost, replace them all while hubs are off or just inspect? Same for lug nuts. If the tire shop strips or damages studs do they really screw yah $$$? Best guess as I am a newbie to big stuff dance. Go ahead and buy a hydraulic press cause I am going to need it?
Asking for sage advice from experienced owners of big stuff as I hope to be doing this for 10-15 years. Probably with the same coach.

Re: Damaged lug bolts

Reply #24
Any "A  line" tech guy will lube the studs, as that is the correct way.  A little grease, gear lube or anti sieze will do.

Re: Damaged lug bolts

Reply #25
The Meritor studs are proprietary and when I needed to replace a couple last year I ended up getting them from FOT. That was after I went to two truck places in Knoxville, TN that could order Meritor but the factory said none on hand,  Euclid is a big supplier of studs and they had nothing that matched mine, and I think Meritor owns them.

Lubing the stud threads is accepted practice as long as you don't get any lube between the nut and wheel face.

Re: Damaged lug bolts

Reply #26
Good Lord proprietary wheel studs aka as a license to steal, hope my old coach has old off the shelf stuff, without sounding political what happened to common standards? Don't go there OPP.

Re: Damaged lug bolts

Reply #27
MOT charged $88.93 for each lug bolt, plus $20.87 for the back and front nuts.  As mentioned above, they changed 6  bolts between the two front wheels.  Craig Power reimbursed me for the total charge from MOT, which included two hours of labor, without even looking at the bill.  He just handed to the cashier and asked her to pay me, which she did in cash.  I know where I will buy my tires in the future!  Actually, I bought some tires from them years ago for our '03 soon after we bought it and the company (Herman Power, Nacogdoches) was a pleasure to deal with then. 

Re: Damaged lug bolts

Reply #28
Here is a short video of the guys at MOT torquing the lug bolts on my back wheel.  There is a lot of noise but you can hear the torque wrench "click" when the set torque is reached. 

https://vimeo.com/319138698


Re: Damaged lug bolts

Reply #29
MOT charged $88.93 for each lug bolt, plus $20.87 for the back and front nuts.  As mentioned above, they changed 6  bolts between the two front wheels.  Craig Power reimbursed me for the total charge from MOT, which included two hours of labor, without even looking at the bill.  He just handed to the cashier and asked her to pay me, which she did in cash.  I know where I will buy my tires in the future!  Actually, I bought some tires from them years ago for our '03 soon after we bought it and the company (Herman Power, Nacogdoches) was a pleasure to deal with then. 
Thanks for the info and cost, starts to add up when you have 20 lugs on the front axle and 20 on the back. And mine may look suspect on a 30 year old coach. I think I have time And effort to now do it right.

Re: Damaged lug bolts

Reply #30
What is the part numbers for the studs snd nuts,?

Re: Damaged lug bolts

Reply #31
For my 2000, U295 MOT had the following part numbers (see attached).  I think that got most of the parts from FOT.



Re: Damaged lug bolts

Reply #33
And mine may look suspect on a 30 year old coach.

When you put the lug nuts back on and start to torque be alert for any studs that are pulling through rather than tightening. Also, look for any stud threads protruding beyond the nut that are longer than the rest, which also indicates the stud is pulling through.

Re: Damaged lug bolts

Reply #34
A bit off the topic, my Daughter just had new tires installed on her car. The car needed a service, I said I will pull the wheels, check the brakes, rotors, and lube the caliber pins. When I went to beak the wheel nuts loose, the wheel wrench would not move them. I held the wrench on the nut , my Daughter pushed down using a four foot snipe ( pipe) to break the nuts loose.
A word of caution , check your wheel nuts, you may not be able to loosen them in a case of emergency... After tire repairs, I always loosen , gradually tighten the nuts a minimum of three times, using a star pattern , increasing the Tork each time. Remember, the manufacture designed the wheel wrench so the torque would be correct , even with a "slight" person using the wrench.

Safe travels,
Dave

Re: Damaged lug bolts

Reply #35
The 2 cars we have,have the Firestone lifetime rotation,they hand torque the wheels.
Worked on my son's 2013 ford once and it came with these metal coated lug nuts,one or 2 times off and then throw them away
and get a solid set,took all day to get the old ones off.

Re: Damaged lug bolts

Reply #36
Here is a screen shot from an Alcoa manual that only gives a lubed value for the two piece flanged lug nut. This is for hub piloted wheels which Foretravel used at least by the 99' model year. According to this chart, the torque value is to be set to 450-500 Ft-Lb.
Don
Alcoa gives lubed value.  About 100# less . or 300+-25.

Re: Damaged lug bolts

Reply #37
Consult your specific alcoa manual, as the same one value fits all is bogus at best.

Re: Damaged lug bolts

Reply #38
I had 2 damaged bolts a couple of years ago. I found replacements on eBay for $10 per bolt. The tire place ruined the nuts which stripped the bolts and told me it was due to metal fatigue. I'm guessing they were over zealous. They nuts were original so for piece of mind I replaced all of the nuts. Those were also found on eBay. I paid about $100 for a full set. It took a week but I wasn't in a hurry.

 

Re: Damaged lug bolts

Reply #39
I had 2 damaged bolts a couple of years ago. I found replacements on eBay for $10 per bolt. The tire place ruined the nuts which stripped the bolts and told me it was due to metal fatigue. I'm guessing they were over zealous. They nuts were original so for piece of mind I replaced all of the nuts. Those were also found on eBay. I paid about $100 for a full set. It took a week but I wasn't in a hurry.
The Budd lugs on your coach are the same as millions of over the road trucks. I have buckets of them here and they will go to scrap, The cost to ship them is more than they are worth.