How Do I....put On My Own Wheels

[atm2000]

so...... i got a new set of wheels, i can take them to the dealer and get them to take of fmy wheel, and mount my new wheels. BUT, i figure this might be a good DIY project (my second one after putting in a new air filter.)

Question: how "tight" should hte bolt be on the wheel after it's been mounted, do I need a torque wrnech to get this done properly?

[tomctx]

Originally posted by atm2000@Mar 30 2005, 05:40 PM
so...... i got a new set of wheels, i can take them to the dealer and get them to take of fmy wheel, and mount my new wheels. BUT, i figure this might be a good DIY project (my second one after putting in a new air filter.)

Question: how "tight" should hte bolt be on the wheel after it's been mounted, do I need a torque wrnech to get this done properly?

[snapback]321757[/snapback]

I've seen quotes between 80 and 85 lb-ft of torque. And yes, you should use a torque wrench. BTW, only 5 lbs difference, pick a number.

[The Deuce]

About 90 ft/lbs is pretty standard.

I've never used a torque wrench in all my years of putting on wheels and never hurt a rim or had one fall off or wobble.

Make sure you follow the star pattern when you tighten them, and start by hand tightening them.

I go around the start 3x. Remember, you need to be able to remove one with the tools you carry in the car if you get a flat.

[atm2000]

Originally posted by The Deuce@Mar 30 2005, 05:23 PM
About 90 ft/lbs is pretty standard.

I've never used a torque wrench in all my years of putting on wheels and never hurt a rim or had one fall off or wobble.

Make sure you follow the star pattern when you tighten them, and start by hand tightening them.

I go around the start 3x. Remember, you need to be able to remove one with the tools you carry in the car if you get a flat.

[snapback]321788[/snapback]

yeah, i had the same idea...but i'm hearing from people a torque wrench is good to mount tires.

shit, this is the first time i'm doing it and i don't want my wheels falling off on the highway!!!!!!

how tight is the bolt? (i'm sure this is relative since we have different strengths.)

[The Deuce]

Originally posted by atm2000@Mar 30 2005, 06:25 PM
yeah, i had the same idea...but i'm hearing from people a torque wrench is good to mount tires.

shit, this is the first time i'm doing it and i don't want my wheels falling off on the highway!!!!!!

how tight is the bolt? (i'm sure this is relative since we have different strengths.)

[snapback]321791[/snapback]

It's tight enough. ghead If you use the wrench that came in the car, you should be able to get it tight enough. Put it this way, I pull up (against the ground like a squat) to get them off, but only push down to get them on. I'm 190 lbs, and the wrench is about 16" long, so given the co-efficient of gravity, it's close to 90/lbs I figure.

If you have a torque wrench, go a head and use it, but there's no reason to go buy one to do this.

I've been working on cars for a long time and have a feel for torque specs by now though. I've heard guys here using torque wrenchs on their spark plugs and license plates.

[atm2000]

Originally posted by The Deuce+Mar 30 2005, 05:31 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(The Deuce @ Mar 30 2005, 05:31 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-atm2000@Mar 30 2005, 06:25 PM
yeah, i had the same idea...but i'm hearing from people a torque wrench is good to mount tires.

shit, this is the first time i'm doing it and i don't want my wheels falling off on the highway!!!!!!

how tight is the bolt? (i'm sure this is relative since we have different strengths.)

[snapback]321791[/snapback]

It's tight enough. ghead If you use the wrench that came in the car, you should be able to get it tight enough. Put it this way, I pull up (against the ground like a squat) to get them off, but only push down to get them on. I'm 190 lbs, and the wrench is about 16" long, so given the co-efficient of gravity, it's close to 90/lbs I figure.

If you have a torque wrench, go a head and use it, but there's no reason to go buy one to do this.

I've been working on cars for a long time and have a feel for torque specs by now though. I've heard guys here using torque wrenchs on their spark plugs and license plates.

[snapback]321796[/snapback]

[/b][/quote]


license plates and spark plugs?

[BaLAnCe17]

lol use a damn torque wrench. i went to the bmw dealer and they said between 80-90. the star patern is also very important. my neibors have a new 645 and they didnt torque thier summerwheels back on and one was wobbling really bad, turns out the bolts were loose. torque them!

[jshearer]

OK, I did this 4 days ago. In your manual you can look up the torque they require. Go by this to make sure you have exactly what is needed. Example for my 1994 325is it is 81lb/ft, for my dads 1995 M3 it is 83, and my moms 2003 530 it is 72(we changed to summer tires on all the cars in one day).
I would recommend a torque wrench(by recommend i mean definately, you never know what could happen and if something did you would be blaming yourself) and using a good jack(not the crappy BMW jack, it is alright for a flat on the road situation but not this).
The process is not that hard. The hardest part is getting your old wheels off(they can be rusted on). Simply jack up one quarter at a time, pull old wheel off, remove any rust with wire brush or steel wool, put new wheel one(following a star pattern with the lugs), torque the to specifications, move onto the next.

You should also go drive the car and retorque the wheels after a couple of miles, and then again after 500 miles on the new wheels. It is also recommended that you get an alignment after putting on wheels(especially if they are a different size).
If you have new tires on the wheels don't drive hard on them for tank of gas or so(300-500 miles). This is because of the chemicals they put on the tires to preserve them.

Good luck, let us know if you have any other questions.

[325isBaby]

BMW spec is for X3, 3, 5, 6 series 120Nm (90lb/ft)
for X5, 7series 140Nm (120lb/ft)

[spieluhr]

go to les schwabb or discount tire and Im sure htey will torque them down and check air pressure at no cost.

[jshearer]

If you are going to get an alignment I am sure the place you go will probably change your wheels for next to nothing if not free.

[Boxbrownie]

Originally posted by 325isBaby@Mar 31 2005, 05:41 AM
BMW spec is for X3, 3, 5, 6 series 120Nm (90lb/ft)
for X5, 7series 140Nm (120lb/ft)

[snapback]322000[/snapback]

This is correct, and definatley use a torque wrench, the brace/wrench that comes with the car is for emergency use only!

Best regards David

[93 325i]

You guys gotta be joking, you don't need a damn torque wrench.. If you have access to one, great use it. But dont go out and buy one just to put your wheels on. I have never used a torque wrench on my wheels ever and nothing ill has come of it. Just tighten them basically as tight as you can using a good lug wrench. Common sense says that they have to be on tight. As long as you use this common sense your wheels will not come flying off..

[The Deuce]

Originally posted by 93 325i@Mar 31 2005, 11:52 AM
You guys gotta be joking, you don't need a damn torque wrench.. If you have access to one, great use it. But dont go out and buy one just to put your wheels on. I have never used a torque wrench on my wheels ever and nothing ill has come of it. Just tighten them basically as tight as you can using a good lug wrench. Common sense says that they have to be on tight. As long as you use this common sense your wheels will not come flying off..

[snapback]322122[/snapback]

It's not brain surgery, it's a tire.

[NeverLeaned]

YOu don't HAVE TO HAVE a torque wrench to do this. When I was an apprentice mechanic, there was only one car we ever used a torque wrench on..... Mercedes. Really just because its a bolt up style then the typical car.

What I usually do is tighten them all down (make sure you follow a start pattern doing opposite sides of the wheel each time.

Then, Stand on your Wrench, and give a little ummph down.... you should move the bolt another 1/8th turn........ homemade torqueing

Good luck!