[Sean Marconette]

I had 4 of the 5 1/2" wheel studs shear on my car in 2007 just after painting it. The problem was the lug nut shank did not engage far enough into the spacer. Even if you are not running spacers, if it is a shouldered lug nut the stud may be allowed to flex and shear. I installed 5/8" screw in wheel studs and never had another problem with wheel studs.

Are you sure the lug nut is not grabbing the wheel and that is the false torque reading? Do the lug nuts drag of hang up when threaded onto the stud with no wheel the full thread length? I also use a dab of anti seize on the wheel studs.