Lug nut anti-seize

Lord Nikon

Put a new set of alloys on the car yesterday, and found it quite difficult to remove the lug nuts. Does anyone recommend an anti-seize compound I could use on them? Or should I worry about the torque I use on the nuts if I do apply a compound?

Cheers Neuro

W.Shakes-Beer

for what its worth I'd try a good hefty spray of WD40 on each nut and leave them for a half hour. then give it a try.


refrain from getting the stuff on the brake disks.

Matt Simis

Assuming you are asking about what to put on them when putting them back on (as opposed getting them off), most use Copper Grease (I use it in Spray form). Works well and as you questioned, you do need to be careful not to over torque the bolts when they are greased:

How Tight is Right?
It is important to note lug bolt torque. Below, find picture a lug bolt torqued to 90 ft. lbs. (according to the customer) using grease on the threads. BMWs current specification on M12 lug bolts is 88 ft. lbs. (higher for M14 bolts). This specification is with dry threads. Anti-seize, grease, or other lubricants on the threads of the bolt can, and will, artificially lubricate the threads, causing an inaccurate torque reading when using a torque wrench. This can yield a situation where the bolt is actually over-torqued (as shown in the case below).

From: http://www.rogueengineering.com/rogue/W-SPACER/WSPACER.html

Lord Nikon

Normally I wouldn't have a torque wrench in the car. Would simple hand tightening be okay, when using lubricant/grease.

peasant

Wheel nuts or bolts should not be greased

1) you might over-tighten and stretch them as above
2) if you use the correct torque and grease they may come loose

Neither option is particularly safe.

Wheel bolts/nuts should be tightened dry and with the correct torque ...but try tell that to the tyre monky with the air gun ..they just hammer them on regardless.

Lord Nikon

Thing is, none of us have an airgun at the side of the road. Hand tighten has always been good enough for me, but more than once I've been stranded on the side of the road, not been able to get a stupid wheel off, courtesy of the airgun maniac.

BrianD3

Get an extended wheel brace or breaker bar (for loosening only) I recently used a 2 foot breaker bar on hub nuts that were torqued to 280 ft/lbs, they loosened with moderate pressure. A wheel bolt should be way looser than this. But you never know how someone else has put them on.

Lord Nikon

Got me a 17mm socket and a breaker bar today. No difficulty at all in removing nuts. Thanks everyone