Wheel lug torque spec?

[B8_Jim]

Took the 18" sport wheels off this weekend to wax them before the brake dust eats the paint like they did on my B5, and I'm left with very flat black (i.e. brake dust) colored wheels on the inside...

I checked the torque before removing anything and they seemed to be somewhere between 65-70 ft-lbs. Seems low -- my B5 was 88 or 90. They are back on at 70 now, but I'd like to know what they should be.

Anyone know what it should be? If all else fails I'll call the dealer :-)

Thanks,

Jim

[Sharkfin]

For my 19s on my b7, it is 90-100. That does seem low

[Blake P]

I've been torquing mine to 90 ft lbs.

[PESAPC]

92

[dracolnyte]

Sorry need to bring up this thread. I am starting to wonder if my vibrations are due to under torquing. I called two dealerships, one said 100lb while the other said 80lb-85lb. Tire shop said 80lb for Audi.

So which is correct?

[Ernesto]

To be safe,I got info from a Senior Audi Tech 2 years a go.90lbs.

[Blake P]

Sorry need to bring up this thread. I am starting to wonder if my vibrations are due to under torquing. I called two dealerships, one said 100lb while the other said 80lb-85lb. Tire shop said 80lb for Audi.

So which is correct?

Have you tried looking in your owners manual?

[Runge]

owners manual clearly says 120Nm or 90lb/ft.

[Blake P]

owners manual clearly says 120Nm or 90lb/ft.

Party pooper! I wanted to make sure draconlyte knew how to use the index...

[Runge]

Party pooper! I wanted to make sure draconlyte knew how to use the index...

I'm being nice. I have a 4 day weekend coming up, and APR Stage 2/HFC/HFIC/STaTIS exhaust going on soon.

[dracolnyte]

AH! i just read the manual after I got home. yes it does say 90 and I just checked my wheels are torqued to atleast 90... because I couldnt break one loose. So now that eliminates loose bolts from the vibration issue.

[DeMOROlized]

If wheel wasn't mounted flush, even with proper lug torque you'll still have vibrations due to the tire literally wobbling as it rotates.

[dracolnyte]

If wheel wasn't mounted flush, even with proper lug torque you'll still have vibrations due to the tire literally wobbling as it rotates.

it was installed by the dealer, after being road force balanced

[Blake P]

it was installed by the dealer, after being road force balanced

Did they give any indication of whether the wheels were out of balance or the center bores seemed too big for the hubs? While not a permanent solution, you can wrap several layers of electrical tape around the hub to make the wheels fit snug on them and figure out if that's the problem. The tape will act as a hub ring in the meantime.

[dracolnyte]

Did they give any indication of whether the wheels were out of balance or the center bores seemed too big for the hubs? While not a permanent solution, you can wrap several layers of electrical tape around the hub to make the wheels fit snug on them and figure out if that's the problem. The tape will act as a hub ring in the meantime.

the only thing the dealer said was whoever mounted the tires did it wrong which caused the wheels to be out of balance. no word on bent, cracked or centre bores not fitting properly

oh they did crack the clips on my wheel caps though, if that helps

[L0U]

m12 bolts are 90, the m14s can hold up to more, but maybe the rim gets damaged if more than 90 goes on them. M14 bolts are more like 120ish. I'd use minimum 90.

[VMRWheels]

It certainly seems that 90 ft-lbs seems to be the ideal torque spec - perhaps even 2-3 ft-lbs higher.

Remember, it is always good practice to check/re-torque new wheels after 30-50 miles of driving to be certain the paint around the lug seat area has not affected the torque on the lugs!

[Greg Nelson]

Never heard other than 90 ft-lb.
Cheers

[quality_sound]

the only thing the dealer said was whoever mounted the tires did it wrong which caused the wheels to be out of balance. no word on bent, cracked or centre bores not fitting properly

oh they did crack the clips on my wheel caps though, if that helps

Your dealer lied their asses off. You can't mount a tire incorrectly so that it's out of balance. you can improperly balance it or mount the wheel incorrectly (if it's aftermarket) but the tire itself is either mounted or it's not.

It certainly seems that 90 ft-lbs seems to be the ideal torque spec - perhaps even 2-3 ft-lbs higher.

Remember, it is always good practice to check/re-torque new wheels after 30-50 miles of driving to be certain the paint around the lug seat area has not affected the torque on the lugs!

And don't forget NOT to put anything like anti-sieze on the lugs since it'll affect the torque needed to secure the wheel.