GMC wheel torque spec error (?)

[bob burkitt]

It is always important to
> keep the lug nuts
> tightened to the 250 ft.-lb. torque specified by GM for these
> wheels.
>
> Phil Stewart
> '76 Transmode
>
> ------------------------------
>
>
Phil Stewart-

I have always been a stickler for proper torque and not only use the
recommended torquing pattern but also "stage" torque by raising the
torque in increments to reach the final setting. With the GMC wheel
torque spec at 250 ft.-lbs I had to buy a "breaking" wrench of
sufficient capacity and in hot weather I set aside two separate days to
do all six wheels (250 ft.-lbs, six wheels, eight studs per wheel,
minimum of three torque stages, impending geezerdom...well, you get the
picture). Lots of hard work. I even carry a heavy-duty electric impact
wrench in the coach in case a tire needs to be changed on the road.

Recently, while at a major GMC repair facility, I questioned the fact
that they did not torque my wheels to the 250 ft.-lb spec and they said
that there was an error in the specifications and the figure is 180
ft.-lbs, if I remember correctly. I have not seen this discussed on the
net and wonder if anyone else has heard of this. Is this true or are
they just trying to save time and effort? Naturally, I am one of the few
remaining cavemen with steel wheels.

Bob Burkitt Cincinnati '77 Palm Beach e-mail address:
rbwesley

 

[thomas g. warner]

this is another of the problems that tilted me towards buying the Alcoa
wheels. Only 140 ft lbs of torqe for the lugs. 250 ftlbs is really a gut
buster!

>It is always important to
>> keep the lug nuts
>> tightened to the 250 ft.-lb. torque specified by GM for these
>> wheels.
>>
>> Phil Stewart
>> '76 Transmode
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>>
>Phil Stewart-
>
>I have always been a stickler for proper torque and not only use the
>recommended torquing pattern but also "stage" torque by raising the
>torque in increments to reach the final setting. With the GMC wheel
>torque spec at 250 ft.-lbs I had to buy a "breaking" wrench of
>sufficient capacity and in hot weather I set aside two separate days to
>do all six wheels (250 ft.-lbs, six wheels, eight studs per wheel,
>minimum of three torque stages, impending geezerdom...well, you get the
>picture). Lots of hard work. I even carry a heavy-duty electric impact
>wrench in the coach in case a tire needs to be changed on the road.
>
>Recently, while at a major GMC repair facility, I questioned the fact
>that they did not torque my wheels to the 250 ft.-lb spec and they said
>that there was an error in the specifications and the figure is 180
>ft.-lbs, if I remember correctly. I have not seen this discussed on the
>net and wonder if anyone else has heard of this. Is this true or are
>they just trying to save time and effort? Naturally, I am one of the few
>remaining cavemen with steel wheels.
>
>Bob Burkitt Cincinnati '77 Palm Beach e-mail address:
>rbwesley
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach

 

[richard waters]

Esteemed GMC colleagues:

So here we go again. What is the torque 250 or 180?
Apparently I'm a caveman too (my wife and kids think they're cave people when
they're riding in the GMC with me) since I have the old fashioned wheels.

I guess I can still exert 250 lbs of torque, but not for long. I'm starting
to get sore
when I exert myself (I'm 51) and can't wait to get older to see how sore I can
get.

Richard Waters
76 Palm Beach
- ---

> >Recently, while at a major GMC repair facility, I questioned the fact
> >that they did not torque my wheels to the 250 ft.-lb spec and they said
> >that there was an error in the specifications and the figure is 180
> >ft.-lbs, if I remember correctly. I have not seen this discussed on the
> >net and wonder if anyone else has heard of this. Is this true or are
> >they just trying to save time and effort? Naturally, I am one of the few
> >remaining cavemen with steel wheels.
> >
> >Bob Burkitt Cincinnati '77 Palm Beach e-mail address:
> >rbwesley

 

[darren paget]

I talked to Blake Osburne at Osburnes RV in New Mexico and mentioned that the
torque seemed quite high. It was his feeling that 180 was sufficient. I
really hate the pain that is caused when the nut decides to crack on the
bolt. Besides 250 is just too much work. My thoughts not yours. Darren

> It is always important to
> > keep the lug nuts
> > tightened to the 250 ft.-lb. torque specified by GM for these
> > wheels.
> >
> > Phil Stewart
> > '76 Transmode
> >
> > ------------------------------
> >
> >
> Phil Stewart-
>
> I have always been a stickler for proper torque and not only use the
> recommended torquing pattern but also "stage" torque by raising the
> torque in increments to reach the final setting. With the GMC wheel
> torque spec at 250 ft.-lbs I had to buy a "breaking" wrench of
> sufficient capacity and in hot weather I set aside two separate days to
> do all six wheels (250 ft.-lbs, six wheels, eight studs per wheel,
> minimum of three torque stages, impending geezerdom...well, you get the
> picture). Lots of hard work. I even carry a heavy-duty electric impact
> wrench in the coach in case a tire needs to be changed on the road.
>
> Recently, while at a major GMC repair facility, I questioned the fact
> that they did not torque my wheels to the 250 ft.-lb spec and they said
> that there was an error in the specifications and the figure is 180
> ft.-lbs, if I remember correctly. I have not seen this discussed on the
> net and wonder if anyone else has heard of this. Is this true or are
> they just trying to save time and effort? Naturally, I am one of the few
> remaining cavemen with steel wheels.
>
> Bob Burkitt Cincinnati '77 Palm Beach e-mail address:
> rbwesley

 

[philip l. stewart]

> Phil

> It is always important to
> > keep the lug nuts
> > tightened to the 250 ft.-lb. torque specified by GM for these
> > wheels.

> I have always been a stickler for proper torque and not only use the
> recommended torquing pattern but also "stage" torque by raising the
> torque in increments to reach the final setting.

Bob, I too think it is good practice to torque the lug nuts in stages
and in the right pattern. The pattern is shown in the GMC's owner's
manual and the shop manuals as well. I feel that the first stage should
be about 50 ft-lbs of torque, making sure that the wheel is fully raised
and not dragging on the ground. This first stage insures that the wheel
if firmly seated against the hub or brake drum. The final torquing then
can be done in stages of about 100 ft-lbs increments without worry of
warpping the wheels. Again, as the manuals state, the torque should be
checked in about 500 miles to be sure everything is still tight.

So, as Arch would say, that's the way I do it. Other methods are
probably just as good as long as the wheels don't get bent and the
manufacturer's specs are met.

Phil Stewart
'76 Transmode, TN