Planet 9

Do a lot of people swap winter <-> summer tires on their own? I was going to do it at the dealership but they charge quite a bit so my friend and I are going to do it. My friend always changes his own tires but hes never done it on a Porsche, hopefully there won't be any issues.

Please correct me if I am missing anything, here's what we're planning to do:
- for each tire, hoist the car using a jack, loosen the bolts
- swap the tires
- use a torque wrench to put the wheel bolts back on.

The torque wrench goes up to 90 ft/lb, hopefully this is enough.

Please let me know if I am missing anything or if any of it is just wrong.

thanks!

The wheel bolts should be torqued to 96 ft-lbs. 90 isn't enough. It is also good practice to re-check the bolt torque after the first 40-50 miles.

If the tires are on two different sets of wheels then yeah, you've got the concept... you need a new torque wrench - the bolts need to be tightened to 96 Ft.#. Tighten them in a "star" pattern... check them again after about 50-60 miles to make sure they're all still at the right torque, and you're good to go until the weather gets cold again.

brad

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22-year PCA Member
PCA DE Instructor

A more detailed procedure would be.

1. Use a breaker bar, 4-5" extension, and a 19MM socket intended for wheel bolts, to break the initial tightness of the wheel bolts on one wheel.

2. Jack the car using some sort of jack pad (a hockey puck works) at the appropriate jack point, which is shown in the owners manual.

3. Remove two wheels bolts, and screw in two wheel pins into those bolts positions. These are available from the dealer, or from Booth (a sponsor), among other places.

4. Remove the rest of the wheel bolts and slide the wheel off the pins.

5. Inspect the hub, and clean off any rust with a wire brush. Wear eye protection if you use a wire brush. Brush a light coating of high-temp anti-seize paste onto the hub.

6. Put a thin coating of anti-seize paste on the threads of the wheel bolts. You don't have to go all the way up. Don't get sloppy with the anti-seize.

7. Mount the wheel using the wheel pins to align the bolt holes, and slide the wheel onto the hub. Make sure it is seated properly.

8. Screw in the wheel bolts by hand. When three are screwed in, remove the wheel pins and insert the last two bolts. Test the wheel for proper mounting, and use the socket just on the extension bar to tighten them as much as you can by hand.

9. Lower the car to the ground, and tighten the bolts in a star pattern (opposing bolts) to 96 ft-lbs.

10. Repeat three more times.

Absolutely do it myself. Benefits are that I get to spend a little quality time with my CS, and that it's a great time to do an extremely thorough cleaning of the wheels!

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Current: '07 Cayman S, '07 Audi RS4

This might sound CRAZY...but while you have the wheel off, at least look at your brake calipers with the instructions for changing your pads in hand. Just get an idea of how easy it is. The hard part is jacking up the car and taking off the wheel.

Look at your pads and how much is left. See where the sensor wires attach? Fun stuff.

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2007 Speed Yellow Cayman GT 2.7 (retired)
2008 Guards Red Cayman GT 3.4
"Carpe Cayman"

Ok so the bolts need to be tightened to 96 ft-lbs, I didn't know this =(
Is there any danger in using the 90 ft-lbs torque wrench for now? I will have to take it to the dealer later to be done properly. If this is dangerous then I'll have to rethink all this..

Also I think I need to switch the tire setting in the car. Right now its configured to be winter tires. Does anyone know how to do this?

thanks!

Reconfiguration for winter tires can be found in the manual. You just have to go into your settings.

Just get a new torque wrench. The cost of one will be cheaper than going to the dealer and having them do it. It seems like I take my wheels on and off several times a month lately!

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Nov 16, 2007 build:
'08 CS Midnight blue metallic--6 spd
Black sport seats, Delete model designation
Fire extinguisher,Floor mats, Sport steering wheel

blueone's detailed instructions are great, though I would add that you can actually jack-up and change the front and rear on each side, at the same time (using the rear jacking points).

As STLPCA once pointed out, the accuracy of a torque wrench diminishes at its limits, so you really want to buy one that goes up to around 140 ft-lb or so. You can usually find a decent one for a little less than $100 (a good investment if you're going to swap wheels regularly).

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2006 Cayman S Tiptronic (Year-round Daily Driver & Part-time Track Toy)
Mods: SRP, DREAM-1, VentureShield, Xpel Headlamp shields, 35% Tint, MotorDrive Front Mesh Grills, Bumperplugs..
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No, it is probably not dangerous to drive a few miles with the wheel bolts torqued to only 90 ft-lbs, but I have to agree with KS-CS - go buy a proper 1/2" drive torque wrench that reads to at least 150 ft-lbs. Your local Sears store is a fine place to get one for this application.

No anti-seize compound on threads ever. Apply it only to the section under the dome washer.

I also torque the nuts in 2 stages, one stage at 50 ft/lb and the next at 96. This will ensure even lockdown.

Go ahead it is a piece of cake. No dealer will give it the care you would.

Since Porsche recommends it, why not?

I just realized something over the weekend. My summer tires were balanced when I first got the car, but I drove it for about 8 months. Is it necessary to balance the tires again ?

thanks

Nope, re-balancing is not necessary, unless one or more of the weights have come off - otherwise they should be just fine. Ideally, you should try to put the tires back on the same side of the car they came off from.

brad

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22-year PCA Member
PCA DE Instructor

Porsche recommends using the antiseize only under the washers.

96ft/lb torque setting is for dry, clean bolt.

Threads too...

Attached Images

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By all means do it yourself. However, if using a click type torque wrench it's advisable not to use it as the primary means of loosening the lugs. Also, click type torque wrenches should be stored at the lowest level on the scale.

stig earns the Santa Fe four chilies award for reading the Owner's Manual. Way to go!

And what am I, chopped liver?

I had been reading it incorrectly missed the "and".
Cheers.