VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 What should I torque my lugnuts to?

My son and I repacked the front wheel bearings in my 48 today. The car has chrome 15 inch rims on it, and, I'm wondering what to torque the lugnuts to. I also discovered, when I popped the hubcap off, that my wheel bearings were both missing their dust covers. Apparently they were left off, so the hubcaps would fit the rims. Luckily, the wheel bearings appeared to be OK.

Regards:
Oldengineer

Since you are an old engineer I think you should follow the advice from Terrill's grandfather.

Good question,

torque specs for wire wheels

Good luck,
Mike

If I would bother to torque my lug nuts I would use 80 foot pounds.
The 1955 shop manual states 45 to 65 foot pounds. They used the same nut and stud as a 1948. That souds awful weak to me.

Chev Nut:

80 is exactly what we decided to use until I got an answer on this forum. I'm good then.

Thanks:
Oldengineer

You don't need no stinkin torque wrench to tighten your lug nuts. Just get them tight as you can before you let the car down, then let the car down with enough weight to stop the wheel from turning and tighten them good and snug, then let the car completely down on the wheel and tighten until you rock the car a bit. That is tight enough.

With this method you don't need to carry a torque wrench with you and, unlike when the tire shop mounts them, you can loosen them without using a ten foot length of pump pipe.

You're welcome.

Charlie

Thats what I do with the old cars. Use the torq. wrench on the disc brake cars.

Guys:

My son was doing most of the work, and, put the wheels back on my 48. I had him use a torque wrench - because he'd have twisted my lug nuts off. He's a maintenance team leader at a US Steel Plant, and, his crew nicknamed him Big Bear for a reason. He goes about 325 pounds, and, is built like a tank.

Regards:
Oldengineer

OE,

There are several ways to deal with your problem (the "bear"):

a. Do it yourself. Let him watch.

b. Let the "bear" do it but give him the torque wrench.

c. Let the "bear" do it with an air or DC impact wrench (already set to your torque specs).

d. Tell the bear to stay away from the car altogether.

e. Next time you have a flat with with the bear along let him help. You know, after you have changed the tire and popped the hubcap back in place tell him he can now let the car down. Take your time. He won't even notice you are drag-assing along. This method will save wear and tear on the jack.

Good luck. Where does a bear sleep? Anywhere he wants to.

Charlie

Charlie:
The "Bear" is actually a really good auto mechanic, but, he forgets that some of the stuff you break on a 48 Model car ain't that easy to find. I'm still recovering from surgery, so, about all I could do was hand him tools while he did the work.

Regards:
Oldengineer