Alert: 2008 Viper Lug Nut Torque Change

[rcl4668]

I received my 2008 Viper service manual on CD-ROM today and noticed that under the wheel specifications it provided the following:


WHEEL


[SIZE=-1]Front Wheel Size
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]18 inch x 10 inch
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Rear Wheel Size
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]19 inch x 13 inch
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Mounting Stud Size
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]1/2–20 UNF
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Mounting (Lug) Nut Hex Size
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]19 mm
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Mounting (Lug) Nut Torque
[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]135 N·m (100 ft. lbs.)
[/SIZE]

My understanding from my 2006 Viper service manual and my dealer was that the lug nut torque on Vipers 2003 and above was 90 ft lbs. Can someone, especially the dealers on this board, confirm that the lug nut torque for 2008 Vipers has in fact risen to 100 ft lbs? Thanks for your help.

/Rich

 

[Viper Specialty]

The thread size & pitch has not changed, so torque "should" be the same. In reality, we have ALWAYS torqued to 100 even, never had an issue in any case.

 

[ILLSMOQ]

lol...I've been doing 100 since day one

 

[rcl4668]

The thread size & pitch has not changed, so torque "should" be the same. In reality, we have ALWAYS torqued to 100 even, never had an issue in any case.

Daniel --

Thanks for that feedback. Just to make sure I was not crazy I went back and checked the service manual for my 2006 Viper. As you stated, all other specs (size, etc.) are identical but it definitely lists wheel lug nut torque as 90 ft lbs not 100 ft lbs as in the 2008 Viper service manual. Strange.

/Rich

 

[Viper Specialty]

Daniel --

Thanks for that feedback. Just to make sure I was not crazy I went back and checked the service manual for my 2006 Viper. As you stated, all other specs (size, etc.) are identical but it definitely lists wheel lug nut torque as 90 ft lbs not 100 ft lbs as in the 2008 Viper service manual. Strange.

/Rich

It could be as simple as Dodge decided that 90 isnt enough of a safety margin for bunk torque wrenches, so they upped it a little, or they just think the fastener needed additional pre-load. A decent grade, dry, cone seat fastener in 1/2-20 can take quite a bit more than 100lbs anyway.

 

[rcl4668]

It could be as simple as Dodge decided that 90 isnt enough of a safety margin for bunk torque wrenches, so they upped it a little, or they just think the fastener needed additional pre-load. A decent grade, dry, cone seat fastener in 1/2-20 can take quite a bit more than 100lbs anyway.

Good to know; I just didn't want to go out to the garage and torque up the lugs to 100 ft lbs only to find later it was a misprint and that I did some damage to the wheels or lugs.

/Rich

 

[Steve-Indy]

What does your 2008 owners manual say??

 

[sun diego]

Thanks for the notice!

 

[Jeff Monheim]

I have never torqued my wheels past 85 lbs. I track mine about 6 to 10 days per year and have never had a problem. Under torqued wheels may come loose but over torqued wheels may damage the studs or wheels.
Just info from the track guys, that I have used also.

 

[Steve-Indy]

MY point with the above question on the 2008 Owner's Manual is to see if the wheel lug nut torque issue is even addressed...noting that in previously published Gen III Owner's Manuals it is not...as I just reviewed a 2006 manual to be certain.

So the question still remains open...new recommendation of 100 or another service manual "TYPO".

 

[Viper Specialty]

So the question still remains open...new recommendation of 100 or another service manual "TYPO".

I highly doubt it is a typo, seeing as the 08 is mostly a carry-over from the 03-06 manuals. It would have to be intentionally changed in order for it to be different.

As pointed out above, we have always used 100, never had an issue- just use 100 and call it a day, even if it somehow is a typo, it wont cause a problem. +/- 5-10% is peanuts, the fastener will not overstretch in any case from a small increase like that... you would be lucky if most of the torque wrenches out there even saw +/- 5-10%

 

[CaptainDavid]

Most sports/performance cars torque lugs at 100. Manuel on my 04 says 90, so I've always gone to 95 !! Good or Bad ??????

 

[rcl4668]

What does your 2008 owners manual say??

I checked the owners manual and it mentions nothing about wheel replacement or lug nut torque.

/Rich

 

[Steve-Indy]

Thanks, Rich...suspected same.

Guess we'll see if someone clarifies the "100" in Viper Mag.

 

[rcl4668]

The head Viper Tech at my dealership called today to confirm that his paper 2008 service manuals also reflect an increase in lug nut torque to 100 ft lbs. He also confimed what others like Dan have reported which is that a 10 ft lb increase in not a huge difference and that it would not damage the lugs or related hardware.

/Rich

 

[Racer Robbie]

We have used 100 Lb Ft on all srt vipers

 

[ulllose]

Would you go off the same specs for aftermarket wheels or do you think the aftermarket wheels have a different tq.spec? I torqued my aftermarket wheels to 90lbs until i hear different.

 

[rcl4668]

Would you go off the same specs for aftermarket wheels or do you think the aftermarket wheels have a different tq.spec? I torqued my aftermarket wheels to 90lbs until i hear different.

That's a good question; I have OEM rims so that's been a nonissue. My assumption (and it is just an assumption) is that the torque specs are more dependent on the lug nuts and related hardware, not the rim itself.

If you find the answer to this, please let me know.

/Rich

 

[ulllose]

That's a good question; I have OEM rims so that's been a nonissue. My assumption (and it is just an assumption) is that the torque specs are more dependent on the lug nuts and related hardware, not the rim itself.

If you find the answer to this, please let me know.

/Rich

I will,I'm going to email Forgeline and i'll see what they say. I used forgeline's lugnuts also.........

 

[Racer Robbie]

That's a good question; I have OEM rims so that's been a nonissue. My assumption (and it is just an assumption) is that the torque specs are more dependent on the lug nuts and related hardware, not the rim itself.

If you find the answer to this, please let me know.

/Rich

I would say you are correct here as long as your aftermarket wheels are made of the same material as the OEM wheels.

 

[Viper X]

Always used 95 ft lbs as I was never confident in the various torque wrenches accuracy. Nice to know you guys have used 100 for so long.....