streetglower

iTrader: (13)

I was always curious, is it ok to use wd-40 on the wheel studs and inner threads of the lug nuts? I always seem to have a problem with removing lug nuts because they seem to get rusty and eventually strip out the wheel stud. On sunday I went to change my brakes and a few of the lug nuts came off rather hard, like they wanted to strip. Anyway, tonight I used some wd-40on the wheel studs and on the lugh nuts to try and get rid of some of the rust and to make sure non of them strip. Just wondering if this was ok? I always torque my lugs, but it seems I still have issues.

pon55

iTrader: (19)

Clean em and use neversize (sp), its always worked for me. Grease is good but messy!

ragingSPAM

iTrader: (8)

i would never use grease near my tires...i dont usually get rust but if i do i just use a wire brush to clean it and if something gets dethreaded i just rethread it

streetglower

iTrader: (13)

so it is ok then to use the wd-40?

pon55

iTrader: (19)

its OK, but it woun't last.

Boilermaker1

iTrader: (16)

Yeah, its just a rust remover. I wouldn't use anti-sieze on studs.... it alters the torque readings.
If your studs are so rusted you can't get the nuts on and off, either buy an M12x1.5mm die and chase them to remove the rust, or try a wire brush. I would think WD40 is a good first step.

streetglower

iTrader: (13)

I figured it wont last, but I needed something for now. I dont want to strip another wheel stud. I have already had 4 replaced in the front and 1 in the rear. BTW, where di you get the neversize or is it neversieze?

pon55

iTrader: (19)

Neversieze any autoparts store!
As far as affecting the torque readings, i dont drive an F1 racer. lol

civic01vtec

iTrader: (20)

I always spray mine up with wd-40 when i re-install them.

pon55

iTrader: (19)

Don't hurt, don't help. better than nothing!

tacheon

You aren't supposed to grease, lubricate, nor put antiseize compound on the studs. If you do, the preload value is going to be higher than what the torque wrench registers. The torque values given are for dry studs. The studs won't strip as long as you tighten it to the appropriate torque value and don't use an impact gun to tighten it on.

streetglower

iTrader: (13)

so basically you are saying since I used the wd-40 on the studs and the nuts, that when I torqued the lugs to 80 ft. lbs, I may have actually tightened them more then that? Will they have any problem with backing out since there is grease on them (the WD-40)?

civic01vtec

iTrader: (20)

who uses torque wrenches......lol

pon55

iTrader: (19)

Torque values are also for stock rims. I don't have stock rims!\And i never torque wheel lugs! So there!
(you really think the guys at Honda or any tire shop torque lugs?)

tacheon

They all use toqure wrenches at the dealerships and tire shops in Vancouver, BC. There is stiff competition here among dealerships and tire shops so people are very picky about how work is done. I've had tires repaired or replaced Costco, Honda, and Fountain tire shops in this city. Not only do they use torque wrenches, but they also use nitrogen to fill the tires.

pon55

iTrader: (19)

WOW you guy are lucky. NO
Around here we have a-holes with airguns! (tighter is better)

tacheon

If you own a torque wrench, use it properly. That means knowing the difference between dry and wet torque values, and what preload is. The bolt is actually elastic so if you are using it with lubricant, you're actually stretching the bolt stud beyond what it was designed for.
This is a link for more information about fasteners.
http://www.avweb.com/news/maint/182851-1.html

pon55

iTrader: (19)

Are you and engineer? Sound like one! Most peps on here don't even own a TR much less use it!

tacheon

Thats a shame. *sigh* I cringe everytime I see or hear about people using impact guns to tighten lug nuts. The smaller mechanic shops here ram the lugnuts on with impact guns... I'd pay more to have things done the right way.

tacheon

Not an engineer. I have a B. Sc. in cell and molecular biology. I learned about torque and preload in my first year physics stuff many years ago. Torque wrenches aren't too expensive $35 CAD will get you a clicker type, $12-15 will buy you a beam type.

pon55

iTrader: (19)

Well, basicaly we are divided by what is and what should be!
(usually don't delve into the past, but I replaced the heads on the RAMCHARGERS AA fuel dragester in the 80s with Chrysler techs. No TR, just crank it down- Ran a 7 second run-4 times!)

robbclark1

iTrader: (8)

My foot is as good of a torque wrench as I get for my lugs! haha...

Pon, you're old

streetglower

iTrader: (13)

well thanks for the info tacheon. I spent the past hour removing all 4 wheels and cleaning the threads off with brake cleaner and the same with the lug nuts. I guess this will be a lesson to me. After reading that link, I see botl tightening in a whole new way.

tacheon

You're welcome. Isn't playing with a torque wrench great fun?

streetglower

iTrader: (13)

I guess so. I always torque most nuts and bolts when installing them. And yes I hate when I take my car to get new tires or balanced and the idiots at discounttire put them on with an air gun, then when they pull out the torque wrench, each one already clicks on the first try.

Jrfish007

iTrader: (3)

Once the lugs are overdone one time, they are done for. That elastic thing Tacheon is talking about, it's like a rubber band for metals, they do indeed strech. The metals used in both the stud and nut are designed to strech at the specific torque. Once a stupid shopover tightens them, it looses the elastic force. Think of a rubber band, you can strech it and strech it and it will go back to the normal most of the time. But if you strech the rubber band to far (read putting to much torque on the the lug nuts) and then the rubber band doesn't go back to the orginal shape. Same with the lug nuts, if they get over torqued, the threads will not be able to deform properly. I can get much more complicated, or you can just take my word for it.

I ran into this when a shop put over 120 ft-lb torque (that was as high as my TR would go) on the lug nuts, the lugnuts where contstantly falling off because they would not lock on to the studs and I had to replace every stud and lug nut on the car to get everything to stay together.

Jrfish007

iTrader: (3)

Oh yeah, if you hit them with WD-40 to get rid or rust, you should be fine, specially if you let them dry.

streetglower

iTrader: (13)

see It wouldnt be so bad to replace a wheel stud now and then, but when one breaks on the front, the hub has to be removed and that is a pain since you really need an impact to remove the axle nut. And then a press to remove the hub from the knuckle. The rear is easy, knock out and replace.

Most of the ones that have broken on me were in the front. And it isnt cheap to fix.

pon55

iTrader: (19)

You have open or closed lugnuts?
If they are the open type, seal the end with silicon seal.

Jrfish007

iTrader: (3)

yup... the front ones suck... luckly for me on my older civic, you could wigle the front ones out and jam them back in, but it was still a pain.