Tighten Wheel Lug Nuts
Whenever a car’s wheel has been taken off, it should be replaced and the lug nuts properly tightened. By properly, we mean with a torque wrench that tightens the nuts to the manufacturer’s specification. Many workshops simply use air wrenches that frequently over tighten the lug nuts. This is potentially dangerous and destructive, because it can damage the wheel, stud and lug nut, as well as warp the disc brake rotor.
Every car has a recommended torque figure for the lug nuts. | There is a sequence best followed for tightening the lug nuts. | Any kind of grease or anti-seize compound should not be applied to the threads | Even without a wheel removal, it’s advisable to check the lug nuts from time to time. | Adjusting a track bar affects your vehicle’s stability and suspension. Only trained technicians should adjust your track bar. | As with all suspension and steering components, an alignment needs to be performed after your track bar is replaced.
The vehicle is raised and supported on jack stands | The wheels are installed and the lug nut installed by hand then only tightened enough to hold the wheel snugly | The vehicle is lowered off of the jack stands till the wheel just touches the ground and torque the lug nuts to specifications in a star pattern | The vehicle completely lowered to the ground and completed till all wheels are done | The vehicle is lifted and supported on jack stands | The defective track bar is removed | The new track bar is installed | The vehicle is taken off the jack stands | The repair is verified and the vehicle is road tested for proper operation
Have your wheels checked at every routine maintenance service, and ask the mechanic to make sure the correct torque levels are being observed. What is a common symptom indicating you need to tighten the wheel lug nuts? Clunking or rattling sound from the wheels. Have your vehicle diagnosed if you suspect your track bar is loose or have similar symptoms. Have one of our expert mechanics replace the track bar if necessary and have a four wheel alignment performed.
Since there is a danger of wheels coming off or of damage being done to the wheels or their attachment studs, you need to be sure that the correct procedure for tightening the wheel lug nuts has been followed for your vehicle. If there’s any doubt, get an inspection from one of our expert mechanics as soon as possible. . xxxix Track Bar Replacement What is the Track Bar all about? Underneath your vehicle, the steering and suspension components mount together to hold your wheels steady. They need to maintain their longitudinal and lateral positions, lest you lose control of your vehicle. On vehicles with a coil spring suspension, a bar called a track bar or Panhard bar is used to maintain these positions. One end of the track bar mounts to the chassis or frame of your vehicle, and the other end fastens to the axle assembly. Both ends of the bar have pivoting fasteners called heim joints that can be adjusted. When the suspension travels vertically, the track bar maintains the lateral and longitudinal position of the wheels to help you maintain control of the vehicle. If the track bar is loose or broken, you can experience a wandering or loose feeling, a wobble in the steering wheel or body of the vehicle, or a clunk when going over bumps. The track bar is part of the suspension on your vehicle that helps you maintain control while driving. If the track bar is loose, driving becomes riskier. Have it replaced as soon as possible.