Thread: What's the correct lug nut torque?

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Ask 10 people & get 10 different answers.
I have several vehicles- all are aluminum "mag" style wheels w/ the mag style lug nuts.

One car has Halibrands. They are aluminum & 1 piece I believe. I've been told everything from 45 to 105 & everywhere inbetween.

Another car has Weld DragLites. They are aluminum 2 piece.
These I seem to remember being told to torque to 45. If you take them to 60- the center of wheel around the washer on the nut begins to distort because of the multiple pieces of the center.

So, what is the rule of torque for aluminum wheels?

How many times should a lug nut be torqued before you've stretched the threads & they should be replaced?

Ive always done mine at 75 lbs. for ever and a day, right or wrong, I just clicked the mustang wheels last week at that. I found these below.

Here are the proper dry torques for the different sizes of studs:7/16-inch diameter 50 to 60 lb-ft; 12mm diameter 70 to 80 lb-ft;1/2-inch diameter 80 to 90 lb-ft; 5/8-inch diameter 110 to 125 lb-ft.

Use the dry wheel lug torque values specified in the vehicle's owner's manual, shop manual or obtained from the vehicle dealer/service provider. The chart below lists typical torque values that should only be used temporarily until the vehicle's exact torque values can be confirmed.

Since the thickness of an alloy wheel can differ from Original Equipment wheels, also verify that the lug nuts or bolts will engage the threads. Refer to the chart below to determine the number of turns or the depth of engagement typical for your stud or bolt size.

Hardware Bolt or
Stud Size Typical Torque Range
in Ft/Lbs Minimum Number of Turns
of Hardware Engagement
12 x 1.5 mm 70 - 80 6.5
12 x 1.25 mm 70 - 80 8
14 x 1.5 mm 85 - 90 7.5
14 x 1.25 mm 85 - 90 9
7/16 in. 70 - 80 9
1/2 in. 75 - 85 8
9/16 in. 135 - 145 8


When installing new wheels you should re-torque the wheel lugs after driving the first 50 to 100 miles in case the clamping loads have changed following the initial installation. This is necessary due to the possibility of metal compression/elongation or thermal stresses affecting the wheels as they are breaking in, as well as to verify the accuracy of the original installation. When rechecking torque value, wait for the wheels to cool to ambient temperature (never torque a hot wheel). Loosen and retighten to value, in sequence. Simply repeat the same torque procedure listed above.