Snapping Wheel Studs

Hello!
I keep snapping the wheel studs on my truck and I am not sure why it keeps happening.

It started back in February when I drove a few hours up into the mountains and the truck started vibrating when I turned. I pulled over and I saw I broke 3 wheel studs on the passenger side and 2 on the driver's side. I tightened the remaining lugs down and drove about an hour home. Once home I replaced all the wheel studs on both sides and torqued down the lug nuts to 83 ft-lbs.
I replaced my brakes a few weeks prior so I assumed I must have over or under tourqed my lugs to cause that.

It was fine until this week while driving home I snapped all the wheel studs on my passenger side and my wheel fell off.
I replaced them all and tourqed them to 83 ft-lbs again but now I am worried it is going to keep happening.

What could be causing the wheel studs to snap?

My theory is I could have warped my wheel from the first time I drove on it with the broken wheel studs and that is why it happened again but I am open to any and all advice.

 

First off welcome to Tacoma World. That is a bit of an odd issue, sucks your wheel fell off.

Some questions to help get answers:

What wheels do you have?
Are they hub-centric?
What kind/brand of wheel studs are you using when you replace them?
Are you using anti-seize on the studs (because that can change torque spec)?
Do you torque them evenly in a star pattern?
Have you tried a different torque wrench or verified yours is working to proper spec?

 

What wheels and what lug nuts?

I have a sneaking suspicion you're using the wrong nuts for your wheels.

Along with everything wi_taco said.

 

I have Level 8 mk6 wheel and I believe they are hub centric.

I use whatever wheel studs Advanced has in stock. I think they are the Dorman brand.

I do not use Anti-seize and I make sure and torque them evenly in a star pattern.

My torque wrench could very well be off. I have not verified that it is to proper spec.

I used these lug nuts:

$23 MIKKUPPA 24pcs M12x1.5 Lug Nuts - Replacement for 1984-2013 Toyota 4Runner, 1995-2013 Tacoma, 2000-2006 Tundra Aftermarket Wheel - Black Closed End Lug Nuts with Socket

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086MWB87C?ie=UTF8

I have wondered if I should get extended thread lug nuts instead.

 

Straight from Discount Tire in another thread, yup you should be using ET Lug nuts with Level 8 wheels.

When you specifically said your were torquing them and you were still snapping off I pretty much new you had the wrong lug nuts.

Also Amazon ones are junk get a good set of Gorilla Spline drive ET lug nuts.

 

That makes sense. I just ordered a set.
Thanks for the help guys!

 

I'd swap wheels with a known solid set that are hub centric. Like OEM, Method, SCS, etc.

I'd stop using dorman lug nuts.

If in the front I'd replace the complete hub/bearing assembly rather than replacing only wheel studs.

 

Dorman makes some cheap junk. At least for your replacement studs, I’d check what arp offers. I’ve used them before, they’re definitely high quality dense steel. I sourced them from summit racing.

 

ET lugs can break and leave you with a major headache. You defiantly do not want to find one alongside the road with a flat tire.

 

An ET lug nut is just an "Extended Thread" seat lug nut.



That red bit there, it's just got a longer collar to help support the wheel and engage more of the lug stud thread so that both a re supported and side shear load is reduced which is what's snapping off OP's studs.

It's basically a longer nut for thicker wheels.

Heck even the stock Toyota ones are ET lug nuts.

 

The OE lug is not an ET lug it’s a mag seat lug with a conical end so you can use it on the steel spare wheel.

 

It happens. And when it does, you're screwed.