Walling, Tom wrote:
>
> I finally got tires for my new K&N "minilites" (205/70R15 B.F. Goodrich
> "Touring TAs"), and on the sales receipt was the instruction to re-torque
> the lug nut on aluminum wheels after the first 25 miles. Naturally, this
> leads me to wonder if there is a different torque value for alloy wheels
> than steel?
Tom, the recommended torque is dependent upon the wheel stud, not the
wheel. With this proviso--the aluminum wheel does have a bit more
compressibility than the steel wheel, one reason for the requirement to
re-torque the stud nuts. Ultimately, however, it depends upon the
tensile strength of the stud, which does not change from wheel to wheel.
Whatever the recommended torque for the standard wheel, torque it to
that value, and then re-check.
The only other concern is the depth of the wheel--the flange of the
aluminum wheel is thicker, and it is very important to get the mounting
flange of the wheel flat against the hub before serious torque is
applied. An aluminum wheel has a greater ability to cock and bind at odd
angles (because of that additional depth), so it's unwise to expect the
wheel to nestle down properly just because the wheel stud nuts are
torqued to the proper value. That's the other reason why there's a
recommendation to re-torque the wheel after a short running period.
Cheers.
--
My other Triumph doesn't run, either....
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