Specs call for 123 ft. lbs. on a Vanagon.  I always have to ask for that,
and the tire techs always look it up and mumble.

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message -----
From: "Patrick Foltz" <Pfunky@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2000 6:25 PM
Subject: Re: torque wheels?

> In a message dated 11/2/00 2:25:42 PM, LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
>
> << Or should I instruct the guys at the tire shop to tighten the lugs to a
> specific torque?
> YES!!!
> This is one of my giant peeves!!!! It only takes a few extra minutes to
get
> the torque wrench out, or if your tire tech is lazy, tell him to get an
> extension that goes on his air wrench that stalls at the proper torque.
> Remind the service writer to have whoever is doing the work to torque the
> wheels, nicely, and tell them what you want them torqued to! This happened
> when I took wolfy, my wifes 89 fox in for the heater recall.  I had them
> rotate and balance the tires while it was there; when I picked the car up,
I
> took out the four-way and tried one wheel. (I am a strong man.  Much
stronger
> than my wife who would have to change the tire if it went flat.) Well, the
> first one I tried....no go.  I went back in and calmly told the service
> writer that the only thing I really specified was to have the wheels
torqued
> to 80 ft-lbs.  He got my drift (did I mention that I'm a big guy,
> too?)quickly and the car was taken back in the shop and the wheels were
all
> torqued correctly.  SO TELL THEM YOU WANT THE WHEELS TORQUED!!!! and
insist
> on it.  It will lessen the chance that the rotors will warp from uneven or
> over tightening and you will thank yourself the next time you have a flat.
at
> night. in the rain. on the busiest highway
> Patrick F
>