recently a bodyshop fitted the repainted road wheels to my 1961 Mk2, presumably with their impulse wrench. After less than 100km, while basically still running OK, the car gave rhythmic, speed-related noises. Upon closer scrutiny, one wheel was found cracked around all five mounting holes with one nut already finger loose, so the wheel was just starting to depart
As to recommended wheelnut torque settings, it turns out that neither in my print literature nor on the web (including this forum, unless overlooked?) I can find any explicit value, so would anyone have an "official" suggestion, please?
For comparison, on my 1976 and 1988 Mercedes both with M12x1,25 fine-thread, spherical-faced wheel bolts I have always used 110Nm, no matter whether steel or alloy wheels. As the 1/2" UNF wheel studs/nuts on the Mk2 have similar diameter (1/2" = 12,7mm) and pitch (20tpi = 1/20" = 1,27mm), their torque setting should be about the same 110Nm -- or rather somewhat less, given the age of the steel wheels?
Thanks,
Heinz