Best way to swap wheels for AutoX?
 

I'm wondering how you guys handle these 3 issues:

Is it ok to swap wheels while hot? I've read conflicting advice on this. Some say the lug nuts' torque will go up after everything cools down, which can cause problems. What is the best practice for this? (I'd rather swap on and off at the event but don't want to take any unnecessary risks)

Do you use the same torque for aftermarket studs? Just got new ARP's. Some people say you should always use the stock setting. But I would think it should follow the stud manufacturer, not the vehicle...

Does anyone know a way to keep the hub centering rings in the wheels? Mine fall out and they're easy to miss. E.g., any problem with using painter's tape to keep them in place, even while in use?

Using a torque wrench I've never had issues swapping the wheels fresh off the autox course, we usually lollygag a half hour or more so they're not hot but rather warm. I've stuck to OEM 89 ft-lbs on my car, never knew ARP specd a different torque, I never bother with centering rings.

Have been driving to Autox, swapping my wheels out, race, swap em out to daily wheels and drive home for... over 5~6yrs now. I have ARP extended studs FYI. Not single issue.

If you're worried about stud manufacturer's tq, you should worried about aftermarket wheel pressure level along with stud heat temperatures as well. It'll become way way WAY complicated if you do. As long as you keep the tq in OEM or similar tq then you should be fine. Just for your reference, I tq mine in 90tq, OEM is 89tq (I like even numbers).

Do you have aluminum hubs or plastics? Mine hubs are aluminum and they rarely comes off from my wheels. When I take my wheels off, hubs are stuck to my wheels. Even they're not on the wheels, it's just an extra step to take it off and put racing wheels hubs on (daily and racing wheels have different hubs sizes).

Plus 1 for the above


Drove to the track and torqued my lugs at 90. after a few sessions checked them at 90 and then drove home.

if you wanna swap them. do them the day before torque em down. drive to the event and check the torque again.

I wouldnt worry so much as long as you develop a routine.

I have also had both OEM and ARP studs and i still do both regardless.

Thanks everyone for your input