2004 Dodge Ram 3500 Pickup Owner's Manual - Page 311

WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 311 1. Tighten the wheel nuts in the numbered sequence to a snug fit. 2. Retighten the wheel nuts in the same sequence to the torques listed in the table. Go through the sequence a second time to verify that specific torque has been achieved. Retighten to specifications at 100 miles (160 km) and after 500 miles (800 km). It is recommended that wheel stud nuts be kept torqued to specifications at all times. Torque wheel stud nuts to specifications at each lubrication interval. Wheel Nuts All wheel nuts should be tightened occasionally to eliminate the possibility of wheel studs being sheared or the bolt holes in the wheels becoming elongated. This is especially important during the first few hundred miles of operation to allow the wheel nuts to become properly set. All nuts should first be firmly seated against the wheel. The nuts should then be tightened to recommended torque. Tighten the nuts to final torque in increments. Progress around the bolt circle, tightening the nut opposite to the nut just previously tightened until final torque is achieved. Recommended torques are shown in the following chart. Disc Wheels Type Nut Stud Size Torque Ft. Lbs. Cone Cone Flanged 1/2-20 9/16-18 9/16-18 90-110 120-150 130-160 Torque Newton Meters 100-150 160-200 190-220 6 To Stow The Flat Or Spare Turn the wheel so that the valve stem is down. Slide the wheel retainer through the center of the wheel and position it properly across the wheel opening. For convenience in checking the spare tire inflation, stow with the valve stem toward the rear of the vehicle.