Wheel Torque settings

Roaders · 05-03-2009, 11:28 AM

Hi

I've got the OEM 19s on my car and will be getting a set of OEM 18s for use as track tyres. I assume that when I swap these over I should use a torque wrench to tighten them up.

Is the correct torque listed anywhere in the manual? I assume it'll be the same for both sets of wheels.

Thanks

lucid · 05-03-2009, 11:33 AM

88 ft lbs

1MOREMOD · 05-03-2009, 11:43 AM

what he said.

Roaders · 05-04-2009, 04:07 AM

Thanks guys, is that out of the manual? I couldn't see it.

1MOREMOD · 05-04-2009, 10:02 AM

didnt look for it in the manual. this is just what i have been told my numerous people when i asked. Stricly BMW, les schwab, BMW service. its 88.

gambitx28 · 05-04-2009, 10:12 AM

yeah, 88 is what my old E46 manual recommended, so I too have been using that setting for the E90 M3 as a 'good enough' guess.

lucid · 05-04-2009, 03:51 PM

BMW doesn't want us to touch our cars anymore, so no more torque specs or dip stick for us!

tszene · 05-05-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucid

BMW doesn't want us to touch our cars anymore, so no more torque specs or dip stick for us!

Thinker23 · 06-01-2009, 01:57 AM

130N-m indicated on the wrench that came with the BMW jack set.
130N-m= 95 ft-lb

bigjae1976 · 06-01-2009, 03:02 AM

IIRC there was a TSB that changed the wheel torque spec from 88 ft/lb to 92 ft/lb for E46s. I know I changed from using 88 to 92 for a reason.

Roaders · 06-08-2009, 11:15 AM

Thanks for your replies guys.

I just phoned up BMW service and he said that the torque setting is 120 ft lbs for the E92 M3.

Is this different as you guys are talking about E46?

lucid · 06-08-2009, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roaders

Thanks for your replies guys.

I just phoned up BMW service and he said that the torque setting is 120 ft lbs for the E92 M3.

Is this different as you guys are talking about E46?

This is good info. Thanks. But it contradicts the info posted above by Thinker23. I wonder if his jack set was M3 specific. I've been going with the E46 spec after asking around BMW CCA folks as I couldn't find any specs in the manual for the E92 M3. I now feel the need to call my service guy since we have too many different numbers floating around. Does anyone have a "published" spec on this?

Dascamel · 06-08-2009, 12:03 PM

120 seems extremely high? Anyone verify this? 50% increase? I would be shocked if it differs greatly from 88, thats what I had torqued for 3 consecutive track days, none of them budged.

Roaders · 06-10-2009, 01:56 AM

I'd rather have it too tight than too loose!

bigjae1976 · 06-10-2009, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

IIRC there was a TSB that changed the wheel torque spec from 88 ft/lb to 92 ft/lb for E46s. I know I changed from using 88 to 92 for a reason.

Correction, the change was from 74 lb/ft to 88 lb/ft +/- 7 lb/ft.

120lb/ft? That seems pretty high. I guess a tech or service advisor would have the right answer for sure.

Roaders · 06-10-2009, 03:34 AM

Can someone else phone up their service department and ask the same question? If we get the same answer I think we can believe it.

What's the downside for having it too tight? Damaging the wheels?

J08M3 · 06-10-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roaders

What's the downside for having it too tight? Damaging the wheels?

warped rotors I believe??

Got mine at 90 ft. lbs and my wheels haven't fallen off yet

think I'll leave it.

FStop7 · 06-10-2009, 09:24 AM

120ft-lb? sounds way high. 90ft-lb has been the norm forever.

lucid · 06-10-2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roaders

Can someone else phone up their service department and ask the same question? If we get the same answer I think we can believe it.

What's the downside for having it too tight? Damaging the wheels?

You don't want to overtorque it as it might fail. Here is an example of a failed bolt from the Rogue Engineering site:

http://www.rogueengineering.com/Merc...t_Code=WSPACER

They also state that the BMW spec for M12 bolts is 88 ft lbs. I don't have access to my car, so I can't check to see what kind of bolts are on it. Someone should check this, and call their SA. RE says spec is higher for M14 bolts.

r53s65e90 · 06-10-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roaders

Thanks for your replies guys.

I just phoned up BMW service and he said that the torque setting is 120 ft lbs for the E92 M3.

Is this different as you guys are talking about E46?

Weird. 120 lbft is too high IMO. Also 120 nm is 90 lbft which can explain the SA misfire.

Shortly after delivery my lug nuts where <90lbft so no way 120 is the way to go. I keep them at 90 lbft.

I don't trust random SAs but I will ask the good independent shop I use for my track inspections and misc work.

Gearhead999s · 06-10-2009, 01:21 PM

Torque wrench thats for girls

I prefer this method

von_zoom · 06-10-2009, 03:21 PM

I agree with 120 being too tight. 88 to 90 sounds correct. Mine were in the 90 lbs range on delivery however I have no confirmation this is the correct setting. Over tight can cause failure. I have seen it happen at the track. Lugs will expand as they heat up.
vz

05-03-2009, 11:28 AM	#1
Roaders Private 7 Rep 87 Posts Drives: E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	Wheel Torque settings Hi I've got the OEM 19s on my car and will be getting a set of OEM 18s for use as track tyres. I assume that when I swap these over I should use a torque wrench to tighten them up. Is the correct torque listed anywhere in the manual? I assume it'll be the same for both sets of wheels. Thanks __________________ Car blog: http://mr04drs.giles.roadnight.name/
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

05-03-2009, 11:33 AM	#2
lucid Major General 374 Rep 8,033 Posts Drives: E30 M3; Expedition Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	88 ft lbs __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-03-2009, 11:43 AM	#3
1MOREMOD - 11817 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	what he said. __________________ 02 Tiag e46 M3\|6MT\|GC plates\|MCS c.o.\|GC bars\|GC race control arms\|GC bushings\|BW eng. & tran. mounts\|subframe kit\|BW race shifter\|BW Jaffster\|Euro header\|BW exhaust\|K&N c.a.i.\|Epic race tune\|Rouge pulleys\|Seibon CF hood\|CSL bumper\|apr gt 250 & splitter\|ST-40\|XR-2\|SS lines\|half cage\|Recaro profi\|Profi 2 harness\|BMWpedals\|BW studs\|
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-04-2009, 04:07 AM	#4
Roaders Private 7 Rep 87 Posts Drives: E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys, is that out of the manual? I couldn't see it. __________________ Car blog: http://mr04drs.giles.roadnight.name/
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-04-2009, 10:02 AM	#5
1MOREMOD - 11817 Rep 23,187 Posts Drives: Race car-> Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: check your mirrors iTrader: (5)	didnt look for it in the manual. this is just what i have been told my numerous people when i asked. Stricly BMW, les schwab, BMW service. its 88. __________________ 02 Tiag e46 M3\|6MT\|GC plates\|MCS c.o.\|GC bars\|GC race control arms\|GC bushings\|BW eng. & tran. mounts\|subframe kit\|BW race shifter\|BW Jaffster\|Euro header\|BW exhaust\|K&N c.a.i.\|Epic race tune\|Rouge pulleys\|Seibon CF hood\|CSL bumper\|apr gt 250 & splitter\|ST-40\|XR-2\|SS lines\|half cage\|Recaro profi\|Profi 2 harness\|BMWpedals\|BW studs\|
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-04-2009, 10:12 AM	#6
gambitx28 shop smart, shop s-mart 8 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2015 640i GC Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cape Cod, MA iTrader: (0)	yeah, 88 is what my old E46 manual recommended, so I too have been using that setting for the E90 M3 as a 'good enough' guess. __________________ 2015 X5 xdrive35i 2008 E90 M3 2002 325Ci Convertible
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-04-2009, 03:51 PM	#7
lucid Major General 374 Rep 8,033 Posts Drives: E30 M3; Expedition Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	BMW doesn't want us to touch our cars anymore, so no more torque specs or dip stick for us! __________________
	Appreciate 1 Chewo3.00 Quote

06-01-2009, 01:57 AM	#9
Thinker23 Private First Class 6 Rep 194 Posts Drives: '09 E92 M3 - AW, 6MT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (1)	130N-m indicated on the wrench that came with the BMW jack set. 130N-m= 95 ft-lb
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-01-2009, 03:02 AM	#10
bigjae1976 Major General 1570 Rep 8,075 Posts Drives: 11 E90 M3 Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (22) Garage List 2004 BMW M3 [4.50] 2011 BMW E90 M3 [5.25] 2013 BMW 328i [5.00]	IIRC there was a TSB that changed the wheel torque spec from 88 ft/lb to 92 ft/lb for E46s. I know I changed from using 88 to 92 for a reason. __________________ 2018 F30 320iX Melbourne Red 2011 E90 M3 Monte Carlo Blue 2004 E46 M3 Imola Red 2000 E36/7 Z3 Steel Blue
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-08-2009, 11:15 AM	#11
Roaders Private 7 Rep 87 Posts Drives: E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	Thanks for your replies guys. I just phoned up BMW service and he said that the torque setting is 120 ft lbs for the E92 M3. Is this different as you guys are talking about E46? __________________ Car blog: http://mr04drs.giles.roadnight.name/
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-08-2009, 12:03 PM	#13
Dascamel Lieutenant Colonel 48 Rep 1,664 Posts Drives: 2008 e92 M3, 2010 e91 328i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bakersfield, CA iTrader: (0)	120 seems extremely high? Anyone verify this? 50% increase? I would be shocked if it differs greatly from 88, thats what I had torqued for 3 consecutive track days, none of them budged. __________________ 2008 E92 M3 Jerez Black,DCT,Fox Red ext,Prem,Tech,19", ipod/usb, CF roof and trim 2010 E91 328i Space Gray,Black int, M sport, most options 2007 Montego Blue 335i (retired) Last edited by Dascamel; 06-08-2009 at 12:52 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-10-2009, 01:56 AM	#14
Roaders Private 7 Rep 87 Posts Drives: E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	I'd rather have it too tight than too loose! __________________ Car blog: http://mr04drs.giles.roadnight.name/
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-10-2009, 03:34 AM	#16
Roaders Private 7 Rep 87 Posts Drives: E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0)	Can someone else phone up their service department and ask the same question? If we get the same answer I think we can believe it. What's the downside for having it too tight? Damaging the wheels? __________________ Car blog: http://mr04drs.giles.roadnight.name/
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-10-2009, 09:24 AM	#18
FStop7 I like cars 329 Rep 5,052 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Newbury Park, CA iTrader: (3)	120ft-lb? sounds way high. 90ft-lb has been the norm forever.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-10-2009, 01:21 PM	#21
Gearhead999s Major General 814 Rep 7,888 Posts Drives: RR Velar R=Dynamic M2C R1200GS Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Torque wrench thats for girls I prefer this method
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-10-2009, 03:21 PM	#22
von_zoom Captain 30 Rep 915 Posts Drives: 2010 Z06 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (0)	I agree with 120 being too tight. 88 to 90 sounds correct. Mine were in the 90 lbs range on delivery however I have no confirmation this is the correct setting. Over tight can cause failure. I have seen it happen at the track. Lugs will expand as they heat up. vz __________________ Previous Track Toy
	Appreciate 0 Quote

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search