Overtorqued lugbolts rant / proper torque spec
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 702
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
Overtorqued lugbolts rant / proper torque spec
Not sure who torqued the lugs in this car last time - probably a dealer when they were putting on new tires when they certified it, but they were way overtorqued. I took the factory wrench from the trunk and stood and jumped on it with my entire body weight (granted, I only weigh about 150 lbs), and they wouldn't budge. If I had to change a tire on the side of the road using the factory supplied wrench, I wouldn't have been able to. WTF??
Luckily, I was at home and had a longer wrench that allowed me to apply more force, so I was able to get them off.
OK, end of rant.
Now, does anyone know the proper torque for lugbolts on this car? I used 90 lb-ft since that's what my other german cars called for, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't off by too much...
Thanks.
Luckily, I was at home and had a longer wrench that allowed me to apply more force, so I was able to get them off.
OK, end of rant.
Now, does anyone know the proper torque for lugbolts on this car? I used 90 lb-ft since that's what my other german cars called for, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't off by too much...
Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 56
From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
I think you are in the ball park . The W 203 wheel nuts torque is 81 lb/ft.I cannot find the 204 figures.
I have found that over the years if no lubricant is applied to the lug threads they wear & can strip. I always apply a little grease to the thead & lug/wheel face .
I then back off a little on the torque as the torque setting is designed to be dry.
I have my wife driving this car in the country areas & it makes it easier for her to change out a puncture.
Make sure you wash your threads when changing wheels as they accumulate dust with this grease.
I have found that over the years if no lubricant is applied to the lug threads they wear & can strip. I always apply a little grease to the thead & lug/wheel face .
I then back off a little on the torque as the torque setting is designed to be dry.
I have my wife driving this car in the country areas & it makes it easier for her to change out a puncture.
Make sure you wash your threads when changing wheels as they accumulate dust with this grease.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 567
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, AB
2012 C63 AMG
I called the dealership about this when I was swapping wheels and was advised to torque up to 80lb/ft. Torqued them up to spec and this year when I went to swap wheels, they were really, really tough to get off. Took two people to loosen them off. I did this not too long after I got home from work, so heat might have been an issue, but I was surprised at how tight it was. I might end up carrying a breaker bar with me just in case!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,809
Likes: 4
From: Chino Hills, CA
Mercedes C300 Sport, BMW 745Li, VW Mk6 Golf TDI
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,108
Likes: 7
From: Dix Hills, New York
2012 C250 Coupe
Is anyone else on the stock lug nuts experiencing very bad wear? After this recent winter the salt corrosion has been terrible. They are all white and faded and disgusting looking... Also, my front and rear license plate brackets have experienced corrosion from salt I guess as well? Anything to help make these chrome or shiny metal look like new again?
