How to Install Lug Bolts

Installing lug bolts is a relatively simple process, but it is important to do it correctly to ensure your wheels are secure and safe to drive. Improperly installed lug bolts can lead to a serious accident. Here is a general guide on how to install lug bolts.

Before You Begin

• Lug bolt installation by a professional mechanic is highly recommended. Improper installation can result in an accident while driving.
• Always use new lug bolts when installing new wheels.
• Do not use lubricants on lug bolts or bolt holes. This may lead to loss of torque or lug bolt failure.
• Make sure that both lug bolt and bolt hole threads are free of rust, corrosion, burrs, fractures or damage.

Confirm Lug Bolt Fitment

Make sure you have the right lug bolt fitment for your vehicle and wheel application. Failure to use the correct lug bolts will result in unsafe driving conditions that can lead to wheel loss while driving. Always use lug bolts specifically designed to fit your vehicle and wheel application.

Prepare for Lug Bolt Installation

After confirming your lug bolt fitment, prepare your vehicle and wheels to install lug bolts.

• Park your vehicle on a hard and level surface. Apply parking brake.
• Using a lug wrench with a proper socket, loosen the lug bolts, but do not remove them from the wheel.
• Raise up your vehicle as per your vehicle owner's manual.
• Carefully remove the lug bolts, then remove the wheel.
• Inspect all bolt holes and mounting surfaces to make sure there is no corrosion, rust, fractures, burrs or damage. Clean if necessary.

Install Lug Bolts

• Hold the wheel up against the vehicle's hub to match the lug pattern of the wheel to that of the hub. The wheel has to make full contact with the mating surface of the hub's plate.
• Insert the new lug bolts into the wheel, making sure that they are threaded in properly. Tighten each lug bolt with your hand one by one in criss cross or star pattern. See the lug bolt torque sequence chart below.
• When you cannot tighten the bolts with a hand anymore, use a lug wrench to tighten them to meet a minimum thread engagement. See the recommended minimum thread engagement chart below.

  Lug Bolt Size	Number of Turns
  M14x2.0	6 - 7
  M14x1.5	7.5 - 9.5
  M14x1.25	9 - 11
  M12x1.75	6 - 7
  M12x1.5	6.5 - 8
  M12x1.25	8 - 9.5
  1/2"-20	8 - 10
  5/16"-18	6 - 7
  7/16"-20	8.5 - 9
  9/16"-18	8 - 10

• Once all lug bolts have been tightened and the wheel is sitting flush against the hub surface, lower the vehicle to ground and tighten all lug bolts using a calibrated torque wrench to the proper torque specifications as indicated in your vehicle owner's manual. Apply torque evenly by repeating the criss cross or star pattern until the desired torque is reached.

After Installation

Re-torque all newly installed lug bolts after the first 25 to 100 miles of use to ensure a safe and comfortable drive.

Tips and Suggestions

Never drive with a missing lug bolt - because of the extra force exerted on the wheel, the pressure can damage the wheel bearings and cause other lug bolts to fail, resulting in wheel failure while driving. Replace the missing lug bolt as soon as possible.

Always install lug bolts with a calibrated torque wrench. Using a regular lug wrench or air impact wrench can result in undertorquing and overtorquing.

If your wheel application uses lug nuts, learn how to install lug nuts.

All listed guides, data and/or calculations are for informational purposes only. LugBoltPattern.com does not warrant or make any representations regarding the accuracy of or the results of the use of this information.