Tighten those lug nuts!

[FLSTS03]

My wrench is only about 18" long and I feel as if something will break just anytime(shoulder included). How do some of you work your way up to the 120# click and with the wrench do you push down, pullup, or just get there the best way you can? Also how does a socket extention effect the numbers? Steve

[Countryfolks]

I use my weight and push down, don't bounce. No problem using an extension as long as it's kept straight out from the lugnut. I use a 6" extension.

[TLightning]

quote:Originally posted by FLSTS03

My wrench is only about 18" long and I feel as if something will break just anytime(shoulder included). How do some of you work your way up to the 120# click and with the wrench do you push down, pullup, or just get there the best way you can? Also how does a socket extention effect the numbers? Steve

Cheater bar on the torque wrench and pull up.

[nailbender]

In our all purpose Keystone Owners Manual, it states to set a torque wrench to 110-120 ft/lbs (140-150 ft/lbs for Cambridge). How many of you remember the Cambridge?

[WorkerB]

Looking for a lost flashlight in the Monty I opened the hide-a-bed and spied a paper between the arm of the couch and dinette. I pulled it out and there were two documents. One explaining about brake maintenance complete with the torque values for my steel wheels and a service manual for leaf spring suspension also with torque values. My 2001 Monty 2850RK has AL-KO axles and leaf spring suspension. Concerning the torque on the lug nuts the document shows three torque stages. They are: 1st stage 20 to 25 ft/lbs 2nd stage 55 to 60 ft/lbs 3rd stage 85-95 ft/lbs with a note DO NOT EXCEED 120 ft/lbs on 1/2" studs. The other document concerns leaf and shackle maintenance and also has some interesting information. For instance it says that when tightening the 1/2" U bolt it should ONLY be tightened to a MINIMUM of 45 ft/lbs MAXIMUM of 60 Ft/lbs. Also Spring eye bolt should ONLY be tightened to a snug fit only because "Parts must rotate freely". I have scanned both documents into a PDF file. I don't know how to make these two documents available. I looked at photo bucket but looks like it's only for pictures. Suggestions? I'll share the relevant U-bolt info on the u-bolt thread as well. Hope someone finds this information helpful.
John

[FLSTS03]

Thanks John, The staging you mentioned is what I was looking for. Steve

[WorkerB]

Hi Steve,
Did you notice I was referring to MY 2001 AL-KO suspension? I'm sure the staging is correct but the torque values could be different on your rig vs. my vintage 2001 Montana.
Later,
John

[azleflyer]

I have steel wheels and check the torque before each trip and have found a lug or two to be loose sometimes. I have the luxury of taking my torque wrench into work and comparing with the torque wrenches the company has sent out for calibration. So far so good.

[KathyandDave]

I have found all of the lug nuts a bit loose on one side only after a trip to the dealer for maintenance service on the wheels. I got me a 22" wrench and a 6" extension, so the tightening to 120lbs is not too difficult. But, I had to buy a longer toolbox...

[sreigle]

That's the only time I've found loose ones, after a wheel has been removed and replaced. I follow the instructions and stop every 50 to 100 miles and put the torque wrench to them. I do this until none need any further tightening. I've never found one loose after reaching that point. Maybe someday that will change.

[grooving grandpa]

I may have missed it in this thread, but what is the torque on aluminum wheels. Is it also 110-120?

[farmboy]

Keystone sent me a cd on when,how,why,specs. to torque the lug nuts. That was shortly after del. in 2005.

[bncinwv]

I torque our aluminum rims to 120. Seems like that is specified somewhere in our documentation.
Bingo