PCA SDR

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.

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!!

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.

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

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.

Kim Crosser wrote: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?

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

Steve Grosekemper wrote: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.

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

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.

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

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

harnishclan wrote: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

What's a lug nut?

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.