My old boss told me to stop using anti-seize on lug studs, and 4 years later I'm still not sure he was right

Spencer Nelson · 2026-10-10T02:50:03.294996+00:00

Back when I was green at a shop off I-35 in Waco, my lead tech Rick grabbed the brush out of my hand and told me anti-seize on wheel studs was a hack move that would make torque specs useless and stretch studs over time. I listened to him for 3 years, dry threads only, wire brush and brake clean, never lost a wheel or had a comeback. Then I moved shops and the new lead there, Marcus, swears by a light dab on the first few threads and says he's done it on his own trucks for 20 years with no issues. Now I keep both habits depending on who is watching and I hate that I do that. Which camp are you in, dry torque to spec or a little anti-seize and send it?

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My old boss told me to stop using anti-seize on lug studs, and 4 years later I'm still not sure he was right | Auto Mechanics - Babble Community