What's going on with my lugnuts?

Cheetokps

TJ Enthusiast
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2020
Messages
591
Location
Wallingford, CT
Hey guys, I’m super confused here. Last year my front left fell off while driving, luckily I was okay. I was confused because I was pretty sure I torqued all the lug nuts, figured maybe I forgot or something and thought it was just a weird happening.

Just now, I felt something weird and still being paranoid from that I got out and checked them all. Low and behold, my back right wheel was missing a lug nut and the rest were loose (1 very, 3 slightly). Now I’m beginning to get worried, because I can’t let that happen again. When I rotated my tires a few weeks ago, I remember torquing them all again. And then after, I went around and checked the torque on all of them to be sure. I torqued them to around 120ft lbs, I think factory spec is 100 but I wanted to be extra safe.

Can anyone think of some reason this is happening? Unless somehow I skipped a wheel twice? I can be dumb sometimes but that seems unlikely. I didn’t re-do the torque after 500 miles but I feel like most people don’t do that anyways, plus I don’t think I’ve ever driven 500 miles yet. Maybe next time I can do more than 120

I’ll also add that the first time was on my stock wheels and lug nuts, and now I have new wheels and different lug nuts
 
Last edited:
You more than likely overtorqued the lugnuts and stretched the threads out.
You think it’s likely that could have happened without any of them snapping? I use a torque wrench every time, but I’m the third owner so who knows what happened before
 
Absolutely, they can stretch quite a bit before snapping. Those threads are probably shot and need to be replaced.
Wow alright. Well this does make me feel better because it’s not like I forgot to tighten them, which was the only thing I could think of. I’ll look into replacing them in the rear, I already got new wheel bearings in the front recently
 
  • Like
Reactions: Claybirdd
I’ve replaced wheel studs before but I was wondering if it’s the same with the rear ones on the TJ because of the drum brakes. I’ve never done anything with the drum brakes or rear axle, is it still easy to pound out and replace studs? Or do I have to just replace the axle shafts

I’m not even sure how the drum brakes work to be honest
 
What tool are you using to torque them?
I have a Tekton (I think) 1/2” torque wrench. I do the star pattern and tighten them up with a ratchet before torquing too

I use a good amount of force tightening them too so I know it definitely can’t be far off from 120ftlbs
 
Sounds like you need some loc-tite up in here!!!
Have had my Nissan Titan since '07 & recently have broken off about 3 studs. I guess they all need replaced eventually.
 
I have a Tekton (I think) 1/2” torque wrench. I do the star pattern and tighten them up with a ratchet before torquing too

I use a good amount of force tightening them too so I know it definitely can’t be far off from 120ftlbs

120 is high, what wheels and lug nuts are you using? Is the lug nut correct for the wheel? Check the studs to see if they are stretched. Post a picture.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/the-toolbox/wheel-lug-nut-size-guide-torque-spec-chart/28890
 
Alright I’ll back it down a bit, but I wouldn’t think the extra 20lbs is enough to damage the studs. I know most shops just crank them on with an impact and you don’t see peoples wheels flying off all the time