Topic: Wheel lugnut torque specs

[MattDoscher]

I was looking through my '65 Comet, Falcon, Fairlane and Mustang shop manual recently and noticed the lug nut torque specs are pretty much the same across the board.  I'm pretty sure I was reading it right.  Doesn't it seem funny that a 6cyl Comet would have the same torque specs as a 8cyl Mustang?  It looks like my '65 C code Mustang w/ styled steel wheels and my wife's '65 6cyl Comet w/ steel wheels and hubcaps both have 90 FT LBS lug nut torque specs.

[carlite65]

not strange at all. the studs & nuts are the same size which is what i believe torque values are based on.

[WT8095]

not strange at all. the studs & nuts are the same size which is what i believe torque values are based on.

+1. Material, thread style & pitch are also factors, but it comes down to an ideal torque for a given fastener combination. The application and number of fasteners are not relevant - those affect which fasteners are used.

[Toploader]

This number didn't feel familiar to me. So I checked, and my manual says 75 - 110 ft. lbs. for V8, and 55 - 85 ft. lbs. for six cylinders.

[MattDoscher]

I'm comparing my C code '65 Mustang to my wife's 6cyl '65 Comet and in the shop manual on pg 3-49 lists both 6cyl and V8 Comets as having the same torque specs (75-110) as the V8 Mustangs.  Just seems weird, 4 lug compared to 5 lug and different wheel and lug nut combinations (acorn vs regular nuts) but I understand the same size studs and nuts so I guess that is what it really boils down to. 

I would think a heavier Comet convertible 6cyl w/ 4 lug wheels would have different specs compared to a lighter V8 Mustang w/ 5 lug styled steel wheels.  But I guess that's maybe the reason for the wide (75-110) spec in the shop manual.

Matt

[Smokey 15]

 I thought you tightened them to just before breaking them off. 

not strange at all. the studs & nuts are the same size which is what i believe torque values are based on.

/\/\/\ Exactly. I set my torque wrench to 100lbs. on all 1/2 & 5/8" wheel studs.

[Toploader]

Matt, if you check page 3-46 the 55 - 85 spec is also listed for 6 cyl. Comets (front). The number on page 3-49 could be a typo.

[MattDoscher]

Matt, if you check page 3-46 the 55 - 85 spec is also listed for 6 cyl. Comets (front). The number on page 3-49 could be a typo.

Yeah I see what you mean.  Funny it doesn't mention the rear at all!  Thanks All!

Matt