Anti-seize and lug nuts?...

[kep5niner]

I was having my tires balanced and rotated the other day at a national chain that I've done business with for many years, and the mechanic working on my truck made an interesting observation / correction. When I was pointing out to him the appropriate torque for the wheel lugs, he asked if I had anti-seize on the lug-nut studs. I told him yes, and experience over the past 20+ years has taught me that's the way to do it, or you're just begging to be on the side of the road somewhere with a flat (usually in the middle of winter), and you'll just be mf-ing the lug nuts because you won't be able to break them free.

The mechanic indicated that anti-seize does not allow the true torque to be achieved on the lug nuts, and in fact can produce an over-torque condition. I've never heard anything like that. Can anyone else chime in if there's any truth to that? Thanks guys.

[ttyR2]

Any lube can cause that to happen. Nuts and bolts are usually rated for torque values either with dry or lubricated threads. If you torque a bolt to the dry setting with oiled threads, it'll be a lot tighter, possibly damaging the fastener.

Found a good example of the differences. Note the "tight dry" and "torque lube": http://www.fandisc.com/tti.htm

[NoRalPh]

Originally Posted by kep5niner

I was having my tires balanced and rotated the other day at a national chain that I've done business with for many years, and the mechanic working on my truck made an interesting observation / correction. When I was pointing out to him the appropriate torque for the wheel lugs, he asked if I had anti-seize on the lug-nut studs. I told him yes, and experience over the past 20+ years has taught me that's the way to do it, or you're just begging to be on the side of the road somewhere with a flat (usually in the middle of winter), and you'll just be mf-ing the lug nuts because you won't be able to break them free.

The mechanic indicated that anti-seize does not allow the true torque to be achieved on the lug nuts, and in fact can produce an over-torque condition. I've never heard anything like that. Can anyone else chime in if there's any truth to that? Thanks guys.

I have this "Chap-Stick" like Anti Seize from LockTite I use on the studs anytime I take a tire off. Every vehicle and trailer I own. I have always done that, learned from the number of stuck lugnuts I've run across...

I think the number of corroded, smashed threaded, and mis-started studs Far out number the incidents of lugnuts that won't cooperate then Any danger of "over torquing" from the application of A/S. True torque values rely on pristine threads all around and that's just something you're not likely to find on the majority of lugs/studs.

I think the guys applying perfect world theory to a Real World situation and giving you poor advice

[kep5niner]

Originally Posted by NoRalPh

I have this "Chap-Stick" like Anti Seize from LockTite I use on the studs anytime I take a tire off. Every vehicle and trailer I own. I have always done that, learned from the number of stuck lugnuts I've run across...

I think the number of corroded, smashed threaded, and mis-started studs Far out number the incidents of lugnuts that won't cooperate then Any danger of "over torquing" from the application of A/S. True torque values rely on pristine threads all around and that's just something you're not likely to find on the majority of lugs/studs.

I think the guys applying perfect world theory to a Real World situation and giving you poor advice

Thanks, NoRalPh....that's kind of what I thought, too. Just wanted to make sure I didn't miss the memo.

[Term3]

Interesting, as I've always used anti-seize lube on my wheel studs. All it took was one time on the side of the road jumping up and down on a four foot pin bar trying to get my lug nuts off to convince me to use something on the threads. As for breaking or damaging studs, the only time that has happened to me is with non-lubed studs. Perhaps it depends on the type of thread lube, IDK, but I use the same thread lube we use on pipe flange and exchanger bolts at work.

[ttyR2]

I too use anti-sieze on lug nuts and just make sure not to lay into them with a 1" impact wrench. They're fine. There's obviously a big safety margin on the strength of the bolts too.

[Galaxie]

I use it lightly. Also on the back of the wheel.


Sent from my iPhone using Autoguide

[t4llguy]

Its never a good idea to use anti seize on anything holding your wheel on. Better to clean the threads up and maybe a little grease. I have seen an 8 lug wheel fall off from anti seize on the studs. clean and chase the threads

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AutoGuide.Com Free App

[dieselcrawler]

Clean dry threads... if you are rotating your tires at normal intervals on a daily driver, this works fine, and the tork values are correct... but I generally, don't use anything.

My mud truck, which sits for months at a time, and might not have the wheels off in a year or two, I won't hesitate to use WD-40 before I take them off, and when I put them on, or even PB Blaster, or what ever is handy... or nothing... depends on what kinda mood I'm in at the time, and how easy they come off... having acorn (covered) lug nuts helps too... keeps the end of the stud from being exposed, and the threads getting rusty.