Lug Nut life span? Torque it twice and replace?
 

I was just told be a guy who seems to know a lot about pcars that you should only torque your lugs nuts twice in it's life span. After that you need to replace them with new ones. (assuming that you are using aluminum ones) Has anyone heard this before? This is really news to me.:confused:

If that's the case, my wheels should have fallen off a long time ago.

Was he a lug-nut salesman (or a PCA member)?

Utter nonsense.

I've heard the same about head studs, although in that case it seems to make a bit more sense due to your bringing the metal closer to the limit of permanent plastic deformation - not to mention they're in a much harsher environment from the point of view of temperatures.

I've never seen a lug nut fail - not even the aluminum ones - on Porsches. And I've torqued/untorqued my wheels many times.



That said, I'm open to the possibility that there might be some validity to this - does your friend have any numbers related to the metal strength, limits of deformation, etc. that would back up this recommendation?

IMHO, his anal-retentiveness is showing.

Sherwood

Give him my address and have him send me all his old ones, I will pay the shipping..

I like that!!:D

Eventually, they will get distorted -- more like 2,000 times tho not 2x. The Al seems to just give up after a while -- it is pretty soft. Just see if it snugs down well when hand tight & then don't worry.

Most people replace them due to surface cosmetic issues long before this happens. I think it can happen if you repaint them over & over again and are a real cheap a$$ SOB like me...

Dude, this may be this case on the paint or anodizing because it sucks. But I believe my lugs are stock and have been repainted many many times. Wheels haven't fallen off but I am do for a reTorque.

And I'll finance the operation.

This is just stupid. Lug nuts will go 50 years. Just torque properly.

+1

If he is working at a tire shop where they regularly use air ratchets to 250+ ft. lbs. of torque, maybe he's right.

Yeah, they're like condoms, you use it once, turn it inside out and only use it one more time.

Maybe he has enough to go around? I only need 16, not 20.

Yup, also don't forget to replace the gas cap every time you fill up......................

I felt the same way when I first heard it. I just thought I would run it by the forum because crazy stuff does seem to come up here and there. The person I got this from buys and sells Porsche parts for people around the world and he has been right on with a lot of info. I guess you never know. My lugs look old and they have been fine so far. Knock on wood.

Please have him post the Porsche Technical Bulletin that states this. I have never heard of this, although it would help me sell more lug nuts.

-Wayne

This is so "out there" that I would suspect there was something lost in the translation or he was thinking something else (axle nuts, etc) when he said it. (I know I do that sometimes.)
-Chris

Sheesh...everyone knows you only have to replace the cap when switching between regular and premium fuels... :rolleyes: