Corps Vet

Just picked up our new 2023 RX350 AWD for my wife. I typically check the torque on the lugs anytime we get a new one or the dealer services our vehicles. Over tightening or inconsistent tightening can sometimes result in warped rotors and brake chatter.
All of our previous RX's called for 76 FT LB. lug torque including our 2020.
This new RX calls for 103 Ft LB as per page 505 in the Owners Manual. Quite a difference. BTW I also found 17mm to be the socket size.
Just wanted to share this as the torque info is kind of buried in the manual section "7-2 Steps to take in an emergency".

Eagleboy99

Warped rotors from overtightening lug nuts? Never heard that.

LeX2K

It's impossible. Lug nuts can't begin to put enough force on the rotor hat to deform it, complete nonsense that gets repeated over and over. Same as when people say rotors warp causing vibration. They don't warp, pad material fuses to the rotor causing issues.

toyotaman7

Thanks for the info.

You are correct. Excessive torque can lead to brake chatter / vibration. As well as warpped/ damaged wheels and lugs.

autotech13

I've been an auto tech for over 50 years and over tightening the lug nuts WILL warp the rotors every time!

JohnPDX

So do the technicians at Lexus dealerships use torque wrenches as standard practice to tighten wheel nuts?

lexusnyca

I have never seen a tech, at a dealer or at a tire shop, use a torque wrench. They just hammer the nuts on with the impact gun. That's one reason I never get my tires rotated.

jfz219

An impact drill or wrench is a real timesaver for removing lug nuts. But use this tool for tightening only if it has adjustable torque settings. My Dewalt has a low setting which I finish with a manual torque wrench. At a NAPA recommendation, I purchased six sided sockets designed for impact wrenches.

Another caution is that lug nuts can loosen in spite of correct installation and torque settings. Check the torque after 50-100 miles of driving.

ggebhardt

I have used Discount Tire for years and years and have watched them always use a torque wrench to do the final tightening when the mounted a wheel.

daryll40

Exactly. I've never NOT seen any of the major tire places use a torque wrench. It's standard procedure. Even thinking back to the 1970s when I learned how to drive and got tires at the mom 'n pop tire store I remember the guy using a torque wrench.

autotech13

If they don't use a torque wrench, they use torque sticks. A different color for a certain torque spec.

mikemu30

Urban legend.

15RX98422

I get my tire work done at Discount Tire. They always finish with a torque wrench.

autotech13

Very ,very common.

CommodoreAmiga

The issue I've observed is most shops use the torque wrench incorrectly. They spin the lug nuts on with an impact and give it several ugga-duggas. Then they follow up with the torque wrench and hear a quick "click" on each nut. The problem is this only confirms the nuts are at least as tight as the torque wrench setting... Not that they are set correctly. Proper procedure would be to install the nuts to a torque that may not be precise but that you KNOW is well below the proper amount, then use a manual torque wrench to properly bring them up to the proper torque. However, it has been my experience that basically no shop does it properly.