Touching lugnuts at pre-trip

I nut em always.

Touch the #### things, you will discover the joys of getting them spun tight properly.

 

I wonder if it is company policy they check each lugnut? I am not sure if you have weight on the axles if you would be able to find a loose one.

 

You wouldn't, unless it was REALLY loose. Loose enough it isn't even touching the wheel anymore. You'd see it before you'd feel it. Which is why I asked why they are taught to touch 'em when looking at 'em tells the tale.

 

But really, how much torque can one put on a wheel nut by hand? Maybe 3-5 ft-lbs at the very most? Plus if there is weight against the nut there is no way anyone is turning those by hand.

 

Exactly. It just doesn't make any sense. Unless there's more to it that I don't know.

 

Even if a few wheel nuts slacked off to even say 20 ft-lbs the only thing a guy might see is some rust trails. Maybe some shiny spots on the rim around the nut from movement.

 

Trying to turn them means, the driver is CHECKING on them.
I absolute agree of the nonsense about it. A nut torqued with a few pounds is more than hand tight but by far not enough to hold the wheels forever.
What about a retorque note? Nobody ever left a note at the glad hands or told the driver to have them retorqued within the next xx miles?
Sure that chain had more than one weak link.

 

Streaking is usually an indicator of a loose lug nut.

Have you seen the torque wrench they use to torque lug nuts?
GI JOE with the kung ## grip isn't budging those.

Petro has you watch and verify the torqueing when you get a tire repaired there, and you have to sign saying so. Must have been a heck of a lawsuit someplace.

But three tires coming off is somebody didn't finish the service on the trailer. I could see a (1) coming off.
Three tires?

I don't suppose you would give us the name of the mega?

 

If I were to pick up a new-to-me trailer, yep, I twist every one... ten on each wheel.

I have found them loose before, especially right after they come out of the shop and have had the wheels off. Make them use a torque wrench and watch it being done.