Dry or Lube?

[Cab-over Pete]

Aye-up,

A question I’m not often wondering about, but which can divide opinion.

When fitting wheel nuts, are they best spun on dry or with a bit of moisture?

If lube is used, is something like copper slip the best thing or just a bit of spray-on weasel pi$$?

Or even dry-lube spray which will evaporate away very soon to leave nothing.

Cheers, Pete.

 

[Ffermer Bach]

at times I have put a bit of copper slip on, as to is it a good idea, I have no clue, and expect to hear a range of opinions.

 

[Henarar]

Oil

 

[CPF]

Use Copper slip all the time

 

[Netherfield]

Tech manuals, Leyland, Albion and ERF always say dry, theorectically lube attracts dirt and makes a grinding paste which wears the threads.

Tyre men at ATS and Motorway always said dry.

Local garage used copper slip by the bucket load and knew how to charge for it.

 

[icanshootwell]

Before the days of impact drivers we always used a bit of grease, the nuts always came off a bit easier then.

 

[britt]

Oil, with a bit of lube they go up tighter in the first place.

 

[Muddyroads]

Through the summer months I can be changing the tractor wheels at least a couple of times a week. I asked a fitter for advice who said that an HGV will fail it’s test if there’s grease on wheel nuts but it’s what he would do. It’s worked well.

 

[CPF]

Manufacturers always say dry.
Because when studs worn out you take vehicle to the dealer for new studs and the dealer replies the wheel /hob is off would you like new brake pads sir

 

[Andrew]

A few drops of oil per stud to make it turn easier. Otherwise when you torque up some is ‘used’ on turning the nut.

 

[Barleycorn]

We always use oil or grease, they tighten up better.

 

[Dry Rot]

Having found myself up the north end of Caithness with a flat that couldn't be changed because the nuts wouldn't shift, always wet here. You learn best from your mistakes!

But the tyre fitters who impress me most are those who tighten the nuts with a torque spanner.

 

[Pennine Ploughing]

Oil every time,
You get them tighter, they stay tight, and yet easy to get off later down the road

 

[roscoe erf]

Copper grease here never had an issue

 

[Macsky]

Getting nuts on/off when they are dry is no problem when everything is shiny and new, but after a few years when they start getting a bit dirty and dusty then a bit of copper slip is essential I’d say.

Helps them get up to torque, and helps you getting them off without damaging anything.

 

[essexpete]

Copper grease here never had an issue

I am not surprised you grease your nuts.

 

[roscoe erf]

I am not surprised you grease your nuts.

Never go in dry

 

[sjt01]

Torque settings are for dry, and will probably be too low for lubricated. If I use grease, it will not be on the threads but on the small dish on a steel wheel where the nut sits. If this is rusty it can make the nut impossible to remove without massive force.

 

[michael N123]

Never go in dry

 

[ACEngineering]

Aye-up,

A question I’m not often wondering about, but which can divide opinion.

When fitting wheel nuts, are they best spun on dry or with a bit of moisture?

If lube is used, is something like copper slip the best thing or just a bit of spray-on weasel pi$$?

Or even dry-lube spray which will evaporate away very soon to leave nothing.

Cheers, Pete.

I use copper slip or wax oil in an aerosol, normally wax oil as its easier and does a good job IMO, i use it on alsorts of nut and bolt jobs.