Lug Nuts

[3-Fan]

Where can I buy new lug nuts for my 2500HD? Does someplace like NAPA or AutoZone sell sufficent ones? Hate to got the dealer to have them rip me off yet. They seem to be really soft and I have rounded a few edges already.

Thanks!!

[Colorado Kid]

What they are, rather than soft, is metric, and torqued like no other lug nuts in memory. Once I bought a new metric 4-way wrench at Sears I had no trouble with rounding them off. That and the right socket so I could torque them. I don't even remeber what the magic number of mm is, but the socket is on my 1/2" drive torque wrench in my rollaway right now.

[3-Fan]

I have probably the same 4 way wrench you have from Sears. It is both metric and SAE so there is some play between the wrench and nut. I finally got an impact wrench with a 22mm socket. Works great now, but the damage has already been done by the multi-unit 4-way.

[AlanL]

I believe that these are supposed to be torqued to a pretty high value, 120 lb/ft or maybe even 150 lb/ft. It would be pretty hard to do that with a 4-way wrench, unless you're jumping on it.


A 4-way wrench like that should be avoided if at all possible. A 6 pointed socket on a torque wrench should be used instead.

[3-Fan]

Got the impact wrench and 6 pointed 22mm socket. No all's I need to do is get a few lug nuts to replace the ones I have rounded off with SAE/metric 4 way wrench.

Any help?!?!

[Raptorrider2001]

I replaced some on my boat trailer. Went to a truck wheel supply house. They were around $1 each.

[MadDuraMax]

3-Fan,

Most Auto Parts stores would be fine. But stick to a name brand like "Gorrilla", "McGard", "NAPA" or "Moroso". Stay away from the Walmart off brands.

I have had nothing but good luck ordering online with Summit Racing, "www.summitracing.com" if you prefer that route (wish they would cater more to diesel owners though). :(

Mark

[Roadawg]

The correct torque specification for single wheel nuts is English (140 lb ft) or Metric (190 N*m).

[Colorado Kid]

My 4-way is metric only and long handled...how anybody could get the nuts loose with the factory supplied tool is beyond me...but I guess that doesn't matter because the next thing you'll find in an attemped field tire change is that the wheel is welded to the flange. I can bust em loose just fine and snug em up gently with the 4-way. I finish my tire rotations with by tightening each lug nut to 120 ft# and then to 140 ft#, and then make a second lap of the truck checking. One time I had a "helper" rotating tires on my S-10 4x4 (alloy wheels, no center caps). Neither of us tighened the nuts on the left fron beyond finger tight...about 250 miles later I'm hearing a "wheel bearing" or "CV-Joint" noise...I stop, crawl under and find a torn outer CV boot..."That must be it...probably won't sieze on the way home(about 100 miles)"...I head on down the road, but keep the speed down to about 45. Front wheel jumped ship which causes very impressive shower of sparks and I slide/grind it to a stop snug up against a bridge rail (I didn't hit the rail, but it was a long way down, which wasn't obvious until I looked...it was dark....I nearly fainted) the tire jumped the center barrier and totaled a Ford Escort going the other way (a tire, edge on, in the dark, on an asphalt road is rather hard to see as it turns out, the guy punched it dead center in his front bumper without ever seeing it, it laid down the the Escort rode over it until it caught the beam axel in the back...the front bumper and rear axel were V'd to almost the same angle, and both rear tires were wedged in the wells. He was sure :confused: , but he wasn't hurt.) I wasn't hurt either, except my wallet. About $2,500 damge to the S-10 and the whole Escort...My insurance company stuck it to me until they were way ahead.

One thrown wheel is enough for this cowboys lifetime.

[jbplock]

Here is a source for GM style lug nuts with outer threads for the plastic caps.

http://www.jaeeagle.com/nutstrimrings.html

My 98 had 14mm threads ...
smile.gif

[3-Fan]

Thanks guys!! I am assuming we have 14mm threads too?!?

[ChaoticRacer]

Colorado Kid, S-10s have a thing about throwing the left front tire/rim. I've got 2 of em, one came completely off, and the latest I noticed before it came off and pulled over quite fast ;) Dang lil trucks :mad:

[56Nomad]

Ref Helm's manual:

Dual wheel nuts 175 lb-ft :eek:
Single wheel nuts 140 lb-ft :cool:

[AlanL]

RE: Wheels fused to hubs...

Take a little bit of Anti Seize and put it on the mounting surface next time you have the wheels off. You won't have a problem in the future.

This is such a simple thing to do, but the usually doesn't do it because it takes an extra 30 seconds per vehicle and costs 15 cents worth of anti sieze.