Stretched wheel studs – Overtightening the wheel lug nuts places too much strain on the wheel studs, which are the posts that the lug nuts attach to. This puts stress on the metal of the studs, which can cause a stud to break either during installation of a new tire or when you’re on the road. At the least, you might strip the lug nut, making it more difficult to change the tire next time you’re out.
Unbalanced wheels – Too little torque can be just as risky as too much. Loose wheels wobble and stress the wheel studs, too. The wobbling can loosen the lug nuts until the wheel falls off the vehicle.
Damaged brake rotors – Too much torque contributes to warping the brake rotors. This can cause your car to shake when you are braking, which leaves it difficult to control. It is also expensive to repair damaged brake rotors. Uneven torque on the wheels may also damage the brake rotors.
Good Car Maintenance Gives You Peace of Mind
If you have a blow-out on the road, don’t panic if you don’t have a torque wrench. Change your tire and tighten the lug nuts as best you can. Find the closest Sun Auto Service shop to have a technician check your tires with a calibrated torque wrench. Keep your car in the safest condition possible by understanding the importance of lug nuts to your driving experience.
