Lug Nut Options

[Dom426h]

I'd like to replace all my Lugs as some of them have gotten wore out with the several times per year i take em on/off to change tires, bleed brakes, screw with the suspension, ect... Some of them are a tad rusty and some i have to be very carefull putting on by hand to keep from crossthreading. I think they've served a nice life for 15years & 70K miles though.

So ive figured out that they are 1/2x20 and searched for a source to purchase.
One is VPA : $122.40 for the OEM ones
https://www.viperpartsofamerica.com...010-dodge-viper-srt10-wheel-lug-nut-6036310aa
Another is McGard ones from Sumitt for $77.94
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mcg-64010

I'll probably go with the cheaper of the two but was just wandering if anyone had any other sources, info/advice for me to consider. I assume the ones currently on my vehicle are OEM but am not sure since i have aftermarket HRE wheels. I also assume that my HRE's require the same type(Conical seat 60 degree taper) as OEM.

Thanks

 

[Mopar Steve]

The McGard ones have always worked for me. Pep boys at Newark has them in stock.

And these are the SOLID ones not the crome caps.

 

[SSGNRDZ_28]

Agree with Steve, and they have other options other than the style linked above -

Just Ordered McGard Spline Drive Lugs. 1/2 lb per car lighter and better looking than OEM. The other nice thing is the base turns freely so it won't rub against the surface of your wheel. Requires an installation tool, full kit including tool was $100 from Summit on eBay.

P/N: 65330, Requires P/N 65300 installation too. Also available in black.

 

[FrgMstr]

I bought lug nuts from the Bay. Same lugs as on the Dodge Dakota IIRC. (BLACK BULGE ACORN LUG NUTS 1/2-20 1/2")

Cheap and functional. I knock those off enough that they get a bit beat up so I buy extras if they get too chipped up. I have never had any issues with these and have been using them for about 3 years and I knock the tires on an off all the time.

 

[Dom426h]

The McGard ones have always worked for me. Pep boys at Newark has them in stock.

And these are the SOLID ones not the crome caps.

Damn! I was just on mainstreet for lunch yesterday and could have stopped by the newark pepboys if i had posted this question a day sooner

What do you mean by SOLID? Comparing the McGuard, Sumitt, & Pepboys websites it looks like they all have the same part #'s 64000 & 64010 which is what i linked to above.

Just Ordered McGard Spline Drive Lugs. 1/2 lb per car lighter and better looking than OEM. The other nice thing is the base turns freely so it won't rub against the surface of your wheel. Requires an installation tool, full kit including tool was $100 from Summit on eBay. P/N: 65330

Nice. I dont think i would like the spline ones though because the splines might collect crap and get annoying to keep clean Also, i wouldnt want to have to rely on a specialty tool to remove my wheels. I like being able to have multiple options laying around my garage since i frequently loose/misplace thiings.. Also, being able to bum standard tools from others at trackdays is nice.

Do the bases(taper) really spin independent of the spline? Sounds interesting, but i dont see anything about that in the description
http://www.mcgard.com/component/hik...&ymm_year=1998&ymm_make=Dodge&ymm_model=Viper
If the nut was 2 pieces that spun independently i wander how they are connected and if that would make it any weaker than a standard solid lug.

I bought lug nuts from the Bay. Same lugs as on the Dodge Dakota IIRC. (BLACK BULGE ACORN LUG NUTS 1/2-20 1/2")

Cheap and functional. I knock those off enough that they get a bit beat up so I buy extras if they get too chipped up. I have never had any issues with these and have been using them for about 3 years and I knock the tires on an off all the time.

Ebay... Thats always an option. Searching 1/2-20 shows up about 1,000 options...lol, any idea what brand you purchased?

I see a full set of 24 for 11bucks. Cant imagine quality of threads, steel&chrome being as good as the $77 Mcgards and dont think i'd want to take the chance given what i put my lugs through.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/24-NEW-CHRO...Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3cd01f5bc4



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Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

[SSGNRDZ_28]

Nice. I dont think i would like the spline ones though because the splines might collect crap and get annoying to keep clean Also, i wouldnt want to have to rely on a specialty tool to remove my wheels. I like being able to have multiple options laying around my garage since i frequently loose/misplace thiings.. Also, being able to bum standard tools from others at trackdays is nice.

Do the bases(taper) really spin independent of the spline? Sounds interesting, but i dont see anything about that in the description
http://www.mcgard.com/component/hik...&ymm_year=1998&ymm_make=Dodge&ymm_model=Viper
If the nut was 2 pieces that spun independently i wander how they are connected and if that would make it any weaker than a standard solid lug.

Yes the bases spin independently of the nut. I have literally had 2 minutes to look them over but they seemed to be a very solid construction. They look nicer than the pictures on the web. I can take photos tonight if you are interested but it sounds like you might go another direction anyway. I would suspect the way they are constructed would not significantly reduce the strength and may actually reduce stress while tightening the nut? More information here:

http://www.mcgard.com/automotive-2/lug-nutslug-bolts/splinedrive-lug-nuts

For me I'll just keep the tool in the glove box and maybe order a spare but it is not that big of a deal for me.

Also I'm not sure the spline is deep enough to be harder to clean, IMO.

 

[AZTVR]

What do you mean by SOLID?

Here's a picture of an OEM lug nut vs an aftermarket. If you look close, you can see that the OEM appears to have a gap or line of separation between the body and a separate "cover" on the head. Also note that the aftermarket one pictured does not have as much seating area, at least on the '02 ACR BBS wheel that I compared them on a few years ago. FWIW.

 

[Grisoman]

Just Ordered McGard Spline Drive Lugs. Requires an installation tool,

I almost got the McGard's as well until I read a few customer reviews that expressed concern about the durability of the tool's thin wall. Went with the Gorilla splined nuts and am very happy with them. The Gorilla tool looks and feels like it was designed for impact wrench use . . . very heavy duty.

 

[FrgMstr]

Ebay... Thats always an option. Searching 1/2-20 shows up about 1,000 options...lol, any idea what brand you purchased?

I see a full set of 24 for 11bucks. Cant imagine quality of threads, steel&chrome being as good as the $77 Mcgards and dont think i'd want to take the chance given what i put my lugs through.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/24-NEW-CHRO...Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3cd01f5bc4

Check these out. Viper is on the list....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/24-NEW-BLAC...Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a7c31c191&vxp=mtr

I have done many track days and road runs in the mountains with no issues. I always torque to 100lb-ft.

 

[AZTVR]

Check these out. Viper is on the list....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/24-NEW-BLAC...Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a7c31c191&vxp=mtr

I have done many track days and road runs in the mountains with no issues. I always torque to 100lb-ft.

Were they a "name brand?" Since the seller doesn't show the packaging, I would be concerned about where unbranded lug nuts on eBay come from since there is no name brand to uphold. Even then counterfeits from China are not uncoommon. Even reputable companies have problems with quality control issues when making products in China/Malaysia/India unless they can afford to have their own people making plant visits regularly. At least McGard advertises that their lug nuts are made in the USA. http://www.mcgard.com/automotive-2/lug-nutslug-bolts

 

[FrgMstr]

I was not concerned and have had zero issues. If you want to pay a huge premium for a nut then so be it. Vote with your wallet!

 

[AZTVR]

I was not concerned and have had zero issues. If you want to pay a huge premium for a nut then so be it. Vote with your wallet!

Vote for Made in America ! Vote with your wallet ! Right on !!!

 

[cubican]

I have the McGard's for about 2 years now and I love them, the problem with the tool or the spline you can't used an impact wrench with them only hand tools.

 

[SSGNRDZ_28]

FYI Photos of McGard Spline Drive lug nuts vs. OEM. Tool picture included vs. a typical (not any specific size) socket.

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Notes:

-The part that spins freely is separate from the rest of the lug nut.
-No concern on the tool strength for hand use; unsure about impact wrench use