Steering Wheel Nut Torque

[WreckTangle]

Does anyone have a definitive answer as to how tight to do the nut that holds the steering wheel on the column? Yes, I know ideally one will want to avoid that nut coming loose. However, normally it is possible to find an online consensus on the matter of torque wrench settings for common fastenings. I have honestly found all the suggestions below.

20Nm / 15lbf ft
30Nm then an extra 90° (quarter turn)
40 Nm / 30lbf ft
50Nm / 37lbf ft

The tightest of these is more than twice the loosest. The 50Nm is what is quoted in the Haynes manual; but then that isn’t always right.

I’ve currently done mine up to 20Nm which will do until I decide whether it needs to be moved a spline either way to straighten the wheel. To be honest this felt about right. I wonder whether to go for the lower end of this spectrum and use some Loctite.

Thoughts welcome. Thank you.

[GT_II]

The official VW workshop manual specifies 50 Nm

[PeteGLi]

The VW Technical Data & Tightening Torques booklet specifies 50 Nm

[WreckTangle]

Well, I tightened it up again this evening to 30Nm which to be honest feels ample tight enough. In fact, if anything, slightly more than I would naturally tighten a nut that size. I was only using a 3/8” socket and torque wrench. I guess I could use beefier kit, but it’s only quite a small, thin nut.

[GT_II]

I guess if there was any movement, the splines on the wheel would eventually strip, so VW decided to build in a good safety margin. I must admit, I've never thought to check the torque - just tightened it with my foot long socket wrench as hard as I comfortably could while pushing the wheel in the opposite direction with my other hand.