I keep seeing people use the wrong torque spec for aluminum wheels and it's a huge problem

3 comments

3 Comments

My buddy's shop just had to replace a cracked wheel because a quick-lube place used the old steel wheel torque on his aluminum rims. The spec sheet is right there in the manual, usually around 80-100 ft-lbs for most cars, but they just cranked it to 120. Over-torquing warps the mounting surface and can cause a slow leak or even a stress fracture. It's scary how many places don't bother to look it up.

dakotab133mo ago

Tell your buddy @julia_carter that's the expensive way to learn.

perry.jessica25d ago

Exactly. Most of those quick-lube places just slam the impact gun on full blast without even thinking. Even when the spec is right there on the door jamb sticker, they never check it. Feels like they just assume every car takes the same torque and hope nothing breaks.