Who is it for? Anyone running single beadlock wheels who has upgraded to titanium bolts.
Why does it matter? Because on a beadlock wheel the bolts are the mechanical retention for the tire bead. They are not decorative and they are not "snug it up and go."
Upgraded to titanium bolts on your single beadlock wheels? Good call. They are lighter, they resist galling, and they look right. Now install them properly, because the pattern and the torque sequence matter more here than on almost anything else you will bolt to your car.
1. Prepare the Hardware
- Each titanium bolt requires a washer. One per bolt, no exceptions.
- Apply anti-seize to each bolt.
2. Mount the Tire on the Rim
- Inspect the tire bead and wheel flange for damage, defects or dirt. Anything trapped between the bead and the flange becomes a leak.
- Position the tire over the wheel and push the lower bead past the flange, as far down the barrel as it will go.
- The top bead should lay flat against the beadlock flange. If it is not sitting flat, stop and work it until it is.
- Place the beadlock ring over the tire bead.
- Install the first four bolts with washers by hand at the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions.
- Install the remaining bolts with washers finger tight.
3. Tightening Procedure
This is the part people get wrong. Four stages, and you do not skip to the end.
- Tighten each bolt 3 to 4 turns in a star or criss-cross pattern with a 10mm socket.
- Repeat until the tire bead is compressed and the lock ring is almost in contact with the wheel. Do not exceed 15 ft-lbs during this stage.
- Torque bolts in a star or criss-cross pattern to 15 ft-lbs.
- Torque bolts in a clockwise fashion until they all read 18 ft-lbs. This will take more than one rotation around the wheel.
4. Ongoing Checks
- Re-check beadlock bolt torque after the first pass, then every five passes. This is not a set-and-forget fastener.
- Inspect the ring at every tire installation for bends or distortion.
- Do not use a beadlock ring that is bent or distorted. A ring that is out of true cannot clamp the bead evenly no matter how carefully you torque it.
Torque Specs at a Glance
| Stage | Pattern | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Seating passes | Star / criss-cross, 3 to 4 turns per bolt | Do not exceed 15 ft-lbs |
| First torque | Star / criss-cross | 15 ft-lbs |
| Final torque | Clockwise, multiple laps | 18 ft-lbs |
| Re-check | All bolts | After first pass, then every 5 passes |
Bolt Kits by Wheel Brand
Beadlock bolt kits are wheel specific, both in count and in thread. Buy the kit that matches your wheel, not a generic set.
20 bolts with washers
Made for our own wheels
18 bolts with washers
20-count and Flow Form versions also available
22 bolts with washers
18-count and purple titanium also available
21 bolts with washers
Also available in gold titanium
16 bolts with washers
24-count version also available
22 bolts with washers
RC Components version also available
Running our wheels? The bolts above are made for them. See the LPS5 Drag Wheels collection. Don't see your wheel brand listed? Call us, because Royal Titanium makes kits for more applications than we have carded here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What torque do beadlock bolts get?
Final torque is 18 ft-lbs, reached in stages. Seat the ring first without exceeding 15 ft-lbs, torque to 15 ft-lbs in a star pattern, then work clockwise in multiple laps until every bolt reads 18 ft-lbs.
Do I really need anti-seize on titanium bolts?
Yes. Titanium galls against aluminum. Without anti-seize you can get a false torque reading going in and a snapped bolt coming out.
Why start with the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock bolts?
Those four locate the beadlock ring concentrically before any real clamp load goes into it. Tightening sequentially around the circle instead pulls the ring off centre and distorts it.
Star pattern or clockwise?
Both, in that order. Star or criss-cross for the seating passes and the 15 ft-lb stage, then clockwise for the final 18 ft-lb passes.
How often should I re-check the torque?
After the first pass, then every five passes. Beadlock bolts are a maintenance item.
Can I reuse a beadlock ring that looks slightly bent?
No. A ring that is bent or distorted cannot clamp the bead evenly regardless of how well you torque the bolts. Replace it.
Can I use an impact gun?
No. Use a 10mm socket and a real torque wrench. The staged values are the entire point of the procedure and an impact gun cannot deliver them.
How do I know which bolt kit fits my wheels?
Kits are wheel specific in both bolt count and thread, so buy the one listed for your wheel brand and count. If yours is not listed, call 877-2-LETHAL.
Questions on your specific wheel or ring? Call 877-2-LETHAL or email us.
Titanium Beadlock Hardware
Lighter, gall-resistant, and available for most beadlock wheels we sell. Match the kit to your wheel.
