Oops! I overtightened my lug nut!??

[Capitan]

Ciao folks,

The other day while trying to make sure my wheels were tightened to the 83 lbs-ft standard, I accidently broke off one of the wheel "posts" that the lugnut screws onto. My torque wrench hadn't popped yet to signal the correct torque had been reached and the stinking lugnut just popped off.
My wife's still driving it since there are 5 more lugnuts holding the wheel on. No vibrations so I don't believe the handling's affected any.
It seemed to be a fairly clean break. I've never experienced this happening before so I was a bit petrified at first.
I'll take her over to the dealership tomorrow to see what they can do. I just hope they speak enough English and understand hand signals to know what to do...

I hope it's covered under the warranty....
Ciao,
Jon

 

[Thai]

Capitan,

It should be covered under warranty.

There have been stories of this happening, usually as a result of a local tire store or Toyota dealer mishap. It usually happens after an idiotic tire shop guy (or "certified" Toyo mechanic) using a torque/impact wrench to thread the nuts without doing it by hand first. DO IT BY HAND FIRST, then use the torque wrench to finish the job (about 80 lbs-ft.).

You can go get replacement studs from the dealer, which should run around $5-6.

Hope this helps.

 

[Capitan]

Thai,
Thanks for the feedback. I did just that and went to the Toyota dealer in Pordenone and they gave me a stud to put on. I came home, took off the wheel and reconsidered taking off the rotor and the caliper to get to the rear side. I'm going to have the dealer do it since it's still under warranty, just to be on the safe side. Also, I don't have my Mx manual yet so I don't feel comfortable taking it apart.
Jon

 

[lightfoot]

I had a similar problem with my O6 when I rotated the tires for the second time at 9,500 mi. One of the right front lugs seemed to be stretching as I tightened it. I backed the torque wrench off from 83 ft. lbs to 70 and was able to go that far. When I tried to go from 70 to 75 the bolt seemed to be stretching again. I removed the lug nut and marked the stud with a vertical line so I could see if the stud was turning in the hub. I had the same results as above. When I backed the lug nut off this time it was harder to remove with my fingers. It felt like the threads had stretched. I put the lug nut back on and stopped at 70 ft. lbs.

I'm debating whether to twist it off or leave it alone before I take it in for repair.

I wonder how many more of the studs are defective. Perhaps Toyota designed the studs to shear off in an accident.

 

[<<<<]

I've been rotating my tires for awhile now and no problems here. 3 things to remember: 1) Use hand than smaller wrench to snug nuts before torquing to specs, 2) Make sure your torque wrench is calibrated (if it's a "click" type), 3) Use star patern on lugs to tighten.

 

[lightfoot]

I tightened the lug nuts by hand, shook the wheel and checked them with my hand again. I made four rounds in a star pattern before I got anywhere near 83 ft. lbs. of torque. I only weigh 150 lbs. however I bet I can go out in the garage right now and twist the stud off with a 3/8" rachet. I have two torque wrenches. They are withing a few pound of each other.

I have been rotating tires for 35 years and I have not twisted off a stud yet, however I have had one twisted off on my 99 4Runner by Discount Tire and two twisted off a 93 Camry SE V6 by another shop. They were both twisted off with a torque wrench. The 93 Camry V6 has the same style lug nuts as the 4Runners.

 

[Uneek]

I tightened the lug nuts by hand, shook the wheel and checked them with my hand again. I made four rounds in a star pattern before I got anywhere near 83 ft. lbs. of torque.

Me too. Once the lugs are firm while wheel is still in the air and can't be tighten anymore with one hand hold the wheel and the other on the torque wrench, I lower the vehicle until there's enough weight on the wheel keeping it from turning. Then I turn each lug about a quarter turn following the tighten sequence. Usually takes three passes on each lug before I reach the torque spec. IMO, I feel this way it doesn't cause excessive load on the first stud nor does cause the rim to warp.

 

[jwyshrek]

You'll also want to make sure that the socket and torque wrench is 'square' on the lugnut.

If possible, avoid using any kind of extension...doing so can cause the wrench to 'torque off the veritcal plane' which could cause damage to the lug nut and stud.

I just use a 1/2" drive torque wrench and deep well socket.

One other thing, I found that the SAE standard socket (13/16, I remember right) fits better, tighter than the metric socket...

 

[ovrrdrive]

I had a similar problem with my O6 when I rotated the tires for the second time at 9,500 mi. One of the right front lugs seemed to be stretching as I tightened it. I backed the torque wrench off from 83 ft. lbs to 70 and was able to go that far. When I tried to go from 70 to 75 the bolt seemed to be stretching again. I removed the lug nut and marked the stud with a vertical line so I could see if the stud was turning in the hub. I had the same results as above. When I backed the lug nut off this time it was harder to remove with my fingers. It felt like the threads had stretched. I put the lug nut back on and stopped at 70 ft. lbs.

I'm debating whether to twist it off or leave it alone before I take it in for repair.

I wonder how many more of the studs are defective. Perhaps Toyota designed the studs to shear off in an accident.

Do your next service at the dealer and ask them to rotate the tires while you're there.

Chances are they'll snap it off and then you can have them do a new one for you.