How to Torque Lug Nuts

Video Transcript

"In this clip, we're going to talk about the proper service procedure in order to remove and replace a broken CV joint also known as a drive shaft on a front-wheel drive vehicle. In this step, we're going to talk about the proper service procedure for torquing your vehicle's lug nuts. The torque method we're going to use is what they call the star pattern. As you can see we have five lug nuts and the pattern that we tighten them down in will actually draw a five pointed star. I'm going to start with this lug nut here and go from here to this one up here. From here to here, from here to here and from here to here. That will complete our star pattern. The reason why you use a star pattern is to ensure that the wheel tightens down flat and true to the hub. If it doesn't tighten down flat and true, it will vibrate. You'll notice high speed shimmying, it will vibrate when you step on the brakes as well. I'm going to take and use my four way here. Its going to be the 13/16th size. Alright, I'm just going to insert it on the lug nut. This is an aluminum rim and for most aluminum rims, the torque specification is a hundred foot pounds. A hundred foot pounds is just about as hard as the average man can pull with one arm. Go ahead and get this one up here. Again, pay very close attention to using the star pattern. From here, we're going to go over here. From here, back up to here. And from here to here. Alright. Once you've torqued the wheels and completed your repair, you're going to want to take the vehicle for a drive of about 25 miles. After the 25 miles, you're going to want to step out and re-torque the lug nuts in the star pattern. Again, the pattern goes from here to here, to here, to here, to here. That is the proper service procedure for torquing your vehicle's lug nuts."