Tips on Wheel Torquing

Always, always, always use a quality, calibrated ratchet-style torque wrench to install a wheel. And make sure to torque each fastener to only the specified torque. Air guns and uncontrollable, and can easily over-torque a fastener.

• Always allow wheels to cool to room temperature before loosening or tightening the fasteners. And never try to remove a custom wheel while it’s still hot. This will help prevent warping or other damage.
• Tighten fasteners in the proper sequence. Tightening fasteners in a sequential or random pattern can cause warping or cracking.
• Properly support the tire and wheel assembly when torquing fasteners, particularly when you’re working with lug-centric wheels.
• Make sure to use the right socket size. Using an incorrect size socket can damage the fastener edges or scrape the finish.
• When faced with recessed nuts, never use a thick walled socket. These could jam into the nut pocket causing damage, and they can also scrape the wheel’s finish.
• Make sure to handle fasteners carefully. Don’t drop them, and don't bang on them. Also, make sure your sockets are clean so they don't mar or scratch the fasteners or wheel.
• While hand-tightening the fasteners – before final torquing with a torque wrench – carefully rock the wheel to make sure each fastener is centered properly
• Never hand-tighten wheel fasteners then lower the vehicle to the ground before final torquing. Always final torque all wheels before lowering the vehicle.
• Make sure the wheel’s centerline matches the centerline of the hub. If they do not – especially with lug-centric wheels – get another set of wheels that do match properly.
• Never try to get to the full torque measurement at one time. Work gradually up to the final torque to distribute the fastener torque evenly, and avoiding wheel warping or cracking. Go bolt-by-bolt in the prescribed sequence, increasing torque in increments of 20 to 25 percent with each pass. Example: If the final spec is 80 foot-pounds, on the first time through the sequence, torque each fastener to 20 ft. lbs., to 40 ft. lbs. on the second pass, to 60 ft. lbs. on the third, and reach the final 80 ft. lbs. with the fourth pass.
• It is a good idea to retorque each wheel to spec after the first 100 miles of use. This helps assure the wheel is properly seated and fastened, and will help overcome any bolt or fastener stretching that may have occurred.

Source: www.tirereview.com