Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Wheels & Tires What is the best way to put your wheels back on???

I clean my wheels alot I take them and clean them. I have a question what is the correct way for me to put them back on so that I dont over tighten them and dont tighten them enough??

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Antonio Wright
98'TRSVT
SHOW: 18'TD Motorsports,20% tint,KKM pedals,s/knob,b&m,hyperwhites(headlights,interior,tails)Mesh Grille(Rear for now)
GO:KKM Intake,Glasspack,99 Engine
Crystal Ford

Go down to Sears and pick up a Craftsmen .5" ratcheting torque wrench (the one with the numbers on the handle that clicks when it torques). Set it for 75 or 80 ft. lbs. and go to town!

And when you tighten them, don't use a "circle" pattern for tightening. Imagine that you give each stud a number (in a clockwise fashion). Tighten the lug nuts in this order: 1-3-2-4. Do not tighten them in this order: 1-2-3-4.

Additionally, here is some information on wheel torque that I found in the "Emergency brake does not release entirely or freezes" FAQ:

"Additionally, lug nut torque is VERY important in preventing rotor warpage. Air wrenches are inconsistent and almost always too much. IMHO, Fords have had notoriously poor rotors for the last 10-15 years. The FORD lug torque spec. is 62.5 ft-lb but I use 65 for convenience.

Update: Ford has since released a bulletin to dealerships saying that torque should be 85-100 lbs, even though all the shop manuals say 62.5lbs. I would be cautious about going that high unless you have replaced the stock rotors with something more robust. 70lbs is probably a good compromise. Many CEG members have never had a problem at 62.5lbs."

Maybe Terry Haines will have some additional insight into the proper wheel lug torque.



[This message has been edited by Reg E (edited September 20, 2000).]

Does this go for the stock size wheels??? what about +1,2,and 3 wheels???

Plus sizing doesn't affect the torque sequence (1,3,2,4) but, the wheel does. Most after-market aluminum wheels use between 70-85 ft. lbs.

Thanks, Luke

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Luke Pavlick
Performance Specialist
ASE Certified Master Tech
for more info or to place orders please call 800-428-8355 ext. 362

Isn't it also important to torque the lug nuts with the tire on the ground?