I know it is a good idea to periodically check the torque on your wheel bolts/nuts. Is there a best practice for checking torque?

I typically loosen the bolt/nut about 1/4 turn then torque back to spec. I have a friend that checks torque by just attempting to tighten the bolt/nut using the specified torque setting on the wrench.

Recommendations? Anything peculiar to the mini?

 

I've also heard twice in the past few months that you should under-torque each bolt/nut by 20-30 ft-lbs and then go back and set it to the correct torque when starting from a loose wheel.

I usually just check to make sure that my lug nuts are torqued enough... I figure that they are unlikely to tighten up on their own.

 

i do about 25lbs in star pattern then 50lbs (just with my ratchet) to align the
wheel to the hub while the wheel is off the ground. then lower the
tires enough to contact the ground and bite, and then do 90lbs with
a torque wrench.

then re-torque after about 4-5 miles driving.

 

Like has been said, when mounting a wheel, pull it down until you feel it seat. Then go back & torque in a cross pattern to spec. As far as re-torquing goes. I don't do it, never have. If it makes you feel good go at it.

Nimcosi, you are correct IMO. I do not use my torque wrench to break lug loose, just for tightening.

 

If you're just checking the torque on already-installed wheels, I don't see a problem with just setting your torque wrench on the final value and checking each bolt. (In other words, don't loosen & re-tighten each bolt - just put the torque wrench on the bolt, attempt to turn clockwise, and listen for the click/beep).

Technically, this won't tell you if your bolts are OVER-torqued, but bolts that were tightened to spec in the first place aren't going to spontaneously tighten themselves even further over time.