First time to the track... What's the wheel torque?
 

Greetings Ladies & Gentlemen,

This will be the first time I'm starting a thread here, yay!

I will be going to the track, texas world speedway, tomorrow and sunday and on the tech inspection form they say to make sure the wheels are properly torqued. I rotated the tires previously(i discovered a nasty staple punched thru my sidewall, $209 for a new tire) and torqued to 100 ft/lbs as that's as high as my torque wrench will go.

i've heard 103.5 and 88 tossed around. What's the actual number?

Also, any suggestions on the DSC control? on or off?

I have the sport package, but not the sport suspension, no LSD. I will be running it in sport mode, as i like the responsiveness of the gas pedal and the more beefy feel of the steering (my other track car is a porsche 914, no power steering!)

My car:
Mr. Higgins
Chili red/white
Mini cooper manual w/sport and premium packages/chrome line

Thanks for any tips on tracking a MINI!

103.5 for our r56's whihc run 14mm lug bolts. The 88 was for the r53s that were still running with 12mm lug bolts.

thanks!

Now i've gotta go get a 1/2'' torque wrench!

I assume running 3.5 under spec is kinda foolhardy on the track?

You can always just give the torque wrench an extra little bump to get the extra 3.5. I know it is not best for the tool, but that is a pretty small margin beyond your wrench's specifications that it should be just fine.

I never feel that DSC is incredibly intrusive. In all my performance driving on the track and at places like the Dragon, the DSC only comes on when I KNOW that I have made a mistake in a turn and am over-driving the car.

In controlled conditions on the track, I will turn DSC off, but at the Dragon I usually leave it on and it almost never comes on when I am driving smooth and in control.

Great advice Yucca.

+1

my boss, who is also going to the track with his 993 says the same thing Yucca. The instructor will likely tell me to leave it on as well. the first few runs i'll have an instructor in my car with me, so that'll be cool to learn the line of TWS

Funny, my 914 has the same torque specification for it's 19mm lugs, for a 30 year old car, it's quite modern

Be sure to re-torque after cooldown between sessions. Several Mini's (including mine) have had lug loosening when pushed hard on the track. I've seen one (R53), and heard of another (R56) that have actually lost a wheel out there. I was only torqued to 92 ft/lbs (based on the erroneous recommendation of 88 by a vendor). Under torqueing may have been a factor, but clearcoated aftermarket wheels were really the culprit for me. After the 1st day of re-torqueing regularly I took the time to spin a lug bolt in each hole with some valve grinding compound on it. This removed the clear coat and lapped the surfaces. Next time out all the lug bolts stayed nice and tight.

Some fine sandpaper in the holes also helps. The Kosei wheels commony used on 3-series BMW's had the clearcoat problem. A little sandpaper roughing-up worked for me.

So, the proper torque spec on the R56 is 103.5 lb-ft?

Really?!?! 103.5? I don't think I've ever heard of a manufacturer getting that specific.. In fact, I don't think I've seen a torque wrench that can be dialed in so accurately....don't they pretty much go up by 5ft/lb increments over 100? I have to check mine at home this evening.

I am just confirming based on a number listed above. Anyone?

The manual says, "Tightening torque: 103.3 lb ft/140 Nm."

I suspect the three tenths is a result of converting from Nm.

:thumbsup:

This is off topic but any chance you are on 914world.com? I love 914s as well. Unfortunately mine has the jack stands installed :sad:

The torque wrench I got at Autozone does. It's got the markings on the side for large scale changes and the smaller graduations on the rotating element of the handle itself. I can't remember the brand name, I'll get it for you tonight.

purple- I highly recommend leaving the DSC on for the track, especially since it's your first time. I've never had it cut in on me, but it's always a good idea to leave it on in case of a temporary loss of sanity. Now I have had the ABS come in once...:sly: :grin: