We should encourage ....

[Dan Chambers]

a rule for mandatory lug-nut torque checks. Actually, at the Portland DE, they checked every car's lugs with a torque wrench in Tech Inspection, prior to the Driver's Meeting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyMDNzhfwn0

... just a thought.

[elcap00]

That was funny---poor mazda guy was too busy combing his hair and checking out his buddies new tatoo. Next time check the lug nuts!!

[Kim Crosser]

We should probably check and make sure that all the doors are locked, as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqR_8sPRN70

Actually, I am not opposed to the lug nut checks - I was assisting at a sailplane competition many years ago where a late arriving competitor failed to check the fastenings on his elevator cables, resulting in a vertical [but very short] takeoff and a horrific crash - no one seriously injured, thank goodness. People get distracted and miss simple things.

[ronaldtrotter]

Hey Dan,

Did you get your torque wrench checked. We also checked lug nuts at the Parade here. But I am against it for every AX. I think that is a driver responsibility.

Ron

[Steve Grosekemper]

I have been AXing since 89 and doing tech since the mid-90's and have never seen a lug nut issue or even heard of one. There are all kinds of issues checking lug nuts.

-Hey, you scratched my newly painted lug nuts!
-You scratched my wheel!
-I only use nylon composite soft sockets on my wheels.
-I don't know where my wheel lock is.
-Hey you stripped my lug nuts.
-You overtorqued my lug nuts.
-When was that torque wrench last calibrated?

At Parade they went through at least 5 soft sockets in tech.
I have also seen other region events check wheel torque and virtually nothing else.
I think we have one of the most comprehensive tech inspection around.
Unfortunately, you can't pass a rule eliminating stupidity.
Fortuneatly, we have a pretty smart group in our region.

My vote would be a big no, it's the drivers responsibility.

[mrondeau]

We should probably check and make sure that all the doors are locked, as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqR_8sPRN70

Do we have a rule that states that you must drive from inside your car?

[ronaldtrotter]

Steve,

I have seen a lug nut issue just this year. In fact the person is an active user of the forum.. He can fess up if he wants. Still I don't think we need to do that check in tech.

ron

[Dan Chambers]

I have been AXing since 89 and doing tech since the mid-90's and have never seen a lug nut issue or even heard of one. There are all kinds of issues checking lug nuts.

-Hey, you scratched my newly painted lug nuts!
-You scratched my wheel!
-I only use nylon composite soft sockets on my wheels.
-I don't know where my wheel lock is.
-Hey you stripped my lug nuts.
-You overtorqued my lug nuts.
-When was that torque wrench last calibrated?

At Parade they went through at least 5 soft sockets in tech.
I have also seen other region events check wheel torque and virtually nothing else.
I think we have one of the most comprehensive tech inspection around.
Unfortunately, you can't pass a rule eliminating stupidity.
Fortuneatly, we have a pretty smart group in our region.

My vote would be a big no, it's the drivers responsibility.

Steve, you make a great point. When checking lugs at Portland, I had lots of "winjers" asking me to: "be careful, don't scratch, don't over-torque", etc. Yes, true. How 'bout this: a little note on the tech sheet, or on the sign up sheet asking: "Did you check your lug-nuts?" I know there's too much on these sheets now. Just thinking about safety. Just a thought.

And yes, Ron. That was ME who had the loose lugs at my first AX in the BLackPearl Team Ballast Point car. And, no I didn't re-calibrate my torque wrench ... I replaced it.

Thanks all.

[Jad]

I am guessing that was setup for filming with no lug nuts. It is a bit grainy, but I never say a bouncing lug nut, all 20 came off at the same time??? and there wasn't insane vibration the driver noticed while driving to the start? I don't believe it at all.

Changing our policies because of this seems a bit of over-reaction in my opinion. Should we check steering wheel nuts, brake pedal bolts, hubs, brakeline tightness. The list of what I would call more important items is pretty long and all a bit silly.

Just my $.02

[harnishclan]

It may or may not be setup, and I don't think it should be added to the rule set outside the common sense one. But I have had all 5 come off the same wheel at the same time within the past year. I stopped, started turning right and clunk. When I got out of the car, all 5 lugnuts were laying on the ground with a few feet of each other (I thought that was the most amazing part), oh, and the fender was a little munched around the edges.

For the record I check mine lugs with a torque wrench before every single run on course.

[Kim Crosser]

I think as long as we check the nut behind the wheel, we should be ok.

[kary]

If we have to check lug nuts then we have missed the boat on general safety and car maintenance etc.....

[ttweed]

For the record I check mine lugs with a torque wrench before every single run on course.

You are hard-core, Brian. Between every RUN!?!? :bowdown: I torque mine religiously every time I have a wheel off the car, and check them before every event, but that's about it for me. Call me sloppy, I guess....

TT

[Irksome]

What's a lug nut?

[kary]

For auto-x normally checking them before the event is fine...for time trail and club racing you really should check them everytime you go out for a session or check them when you come in each time. I check them when I come in as I also check tire pressures and make adjustments as close to hot tires as I can.