Does anyone know why Porsche changed the torque spec on wheel lugs from 96 ftlbs to 118 ftlbs ? The techs at my dealer said this spec is also retroactive to earlier years of 997 not just 2012. I am putting after market wheels on for winter and wonder if I should use 118 or use the old spec of 96 for these wheels. This spec also seems to be not just 911 but Cayenne, Boxster, Panamera etc. So why the increase were wheels falling off?

 

Have not heard of this about 997 etc. and I had my car in last week for tires. 118 has always been the torgue setting for Cayenne wheels

 

my guess is that either way, your wheels will not fall off.

 

Checked with the Master Tech at the local dealership and all wheel bolts are to be torqued at 118 ft lbs Cars with studs and nuts remain at 96 ft lbs

 

no indication the torque specs from the owners manual has been superseded. 96ft-lbs is still it for the std European design lug-bolt.

 

My owners manual that came with my 2012 997 S Cab says 118 ft lbs.

 

96lbs always felt kinda light to me and I have always tighten to 100, and most times exceeding a couple of ftlbs like I didn't notice. I am not worried about wheels flying off, you hear a huge commotion from the lose wheel before that happens. I am more worried of one bolt comings loose and then flying off at 100mph at on coming traffic.

 

Been torquing to 96 ft lbs for over 30 years without an issue. Wonder what's behind such a climb?

 

96 ft lbs is what the manual says.

 

I need more info and to see something in writing from Porsche before I change from the 96 ft lbs that is in the manual. And, I also use antiseize on the bolts as the manual instructs.

 

Well my manual says 118 but I too have been using 96 for 15 years on my 996 before I got this 997. As near as I can tell there has been no change in the bolts so since my snap on torque wrench only goes to 100 that's what I'm going to use. I think they may have made the change to 118 just so all torque specs could be the same for the service guys.
The cayenne has always been 118.

 

Can't go wrong following the manual IMHO. My manual just doesn't say that.

 

The manual still says to use the Optimoly TA anti seize. It also specs it in the same places so that has not changed. That stuff is expensive but it doesn't take much so it will last for years. I wish the factory who probably reads these forums would comment on tech stuff like this. I do all my own maintenance and service and as an engineer I'm pretty picky about these things. I noticed that the 918 has a torque spec of 450 Ft Lbs. I don't know if that is wheel lugs or single Hub Spinner Nut!

 

918 doesn't have lug bolts. The center locks have a high torque value

 

So thats a good point.. the value to use is the one that is in YOUR model year manual. For 2009 cars its one thing, for 2012 its another, etc.

The change could be due to different loads, thread or material changes, anti-seize changes, lots of reasons.

If the torque setting increased without ANY change to the bolts/stubs/suspension and its only more power to the wheels, I'd be a bit curious whey.