[Hammer.]

Ok, I guess I’m not as smart as I thought I was, but I’m assuming (a dangerous activity, I know) that one would need a specific tool to determine the amount of torque that is already applied to the lug nut? I have a torque wrench, so I can torque the lug to a specified amount, but how would I determine how much torque was applied by the minion (or robot) who installed it at the factory?

Asking for a friend. (That’s a lie, I have no friends. Friends tend to borrow bad ass cars, so no thanks).

BTW - the torque specs on my BMW 335i was 88 ft/lbs.

[RamAir02]

Originally Posted by Hammer.

Ok, I guess I’m not as smart as I thought I was, but I’m assuming (a dangerous activity, I know) that one would need a specific tool to determine the amount of torque that is already applied to the lug nut? I have a torque wrench, so I can torque the lug to a specified amount, but how would I determine how much torque was applied by the minion (or robot) who installed it at the factory?

Asking for a friend. (That’s a lie, I have no friends. Friends tend to borrow bad ass cars, so no thanks).

Throw your torque wrench (in clockwise rotation) on the lug nut and start low...

70 lb-ft: click but lug didn't move? go higher
80 lb-ft: click but lug didn't move? go higher
etc. etc etc.
140 lb-ft: click but lug didn't move? go higher
141 lb-ft: lug moved with click

Now you know the lug nut was tightened to greater than 140 lb-ft, but less than 141 lb-ft.

[Hammer.]

I had actually started at 90, thinking that should be safe, but the lug seemed to move - so it appeared this method wasn’t working. I switched to another wheel and it seems to be torqued to the 118/121 range.