Let's talk lug nuts.
 

I was just about to order some and it got me thinking about a few things. Any body have opinions on open vs closed? Any input on 1 vs 2 piece? I am about to order some either 949 or mcgard splines but I figured I would see what the community has to say about them.

How often are you going to pull your wheels off? How much do you want to spend?


What do you mean by two piece? Two piece cosmetic (like Kics Leggdura Shell) or rotating seat (like Kics R40)?



I prefer closed lug nuts because they keep water from getting to the studs and rusting them out.

I prefer lugs with rotating seat because torque is more consistent.

I prefer steel or hard alloy over aluminum because they are more durable and don't strip as easily.


I currently have Muteki SR45R, open ended with rotating seats and plastic top caps

Closed steel, stops shit getting in.

Currently running OEM on my RPF-1's

Alloy nuts are a well marketed gimmicks IMO.

People like shiny things though, if they didn't there wouldn't be a market for alloy nuts, or even titanium lug nuts for that matter.

Personally, closed steel lugs are the best.
Although I don't have aftermarket wheels on my BRZ, my MR2 on the other hand does.

I have the same set of chrome plated vanadium steel closed ended lug nuts I got from my local auto parts store 10 years ago, all for $30.

They seen over 5 years of auto-x and track days, and daily driving. No cracks or busted lugs.

But if you want to spend over $100 for a set of lug nuts, go for it. I wouldn't. It's your money.

not about shiny, about weight. Ok, for most it is probably about shiny, far too many people buy crappy shiny lug nuts and wreck them because they are fragile and people are careless.

I had forged aluminum from Rays on my Yaris for a decade and never had an issue. They are 99% as strong as steel but are lighter.

Currently have gorilla "tuner" lug nuts on, same thing applies. almost as strong, but lighter. Might as well save a little weight where you can.

And I despise chrome with a passion. Just a weird personal taste, so those are out for me.

No spanner in the works yet??

The weight argument is moot unless your wheels weigh like 16lbs. You'll never notice the difference.

That said, closed end steel. I tried open ended but I got tired real quick of my wheels getting coated in rusty juice whenever it rains. Got a set of Muteki SR35 in black.

I think the money for top dollar lugs is justifiable. People routinely spend thousands more to save weight on exhausts by going titanium. If u spending a hundred more for lightweight lugs, that's a good deal to me.

Weight savings? Ha!! Not sure if that's part of the marketing scheme, or you really think less than 1lb is going to make a difference.

If that's the case, do you take a shit every time you go out to drive? Cause you can save a pound or two.

Besides it's not like you are in a high stakes race where every gram counts.
Eh. To me that's on the level as what old ricers would love to say.

i got some cheap 30$ 2 piece off amazon for winter. they the actual lug is steel and then you have an oring and an aluminum cap. they work really well and i dont ruin my project kics

I used to work for AAA and a lot of it was changing tires. Get closed lug nuts. Keep the OEM lug nuts if you can, they are always better. Do not get capped lug nuts, get 1 piece because a lug nut is exposed to the worst dirt and shit and any place crud can get into it will and cause problems.

IMHO if you don't need new lug nuts, leave the OEM ones on. It's not worth it for cosmetics alone and there is absolutely no performance advantage.

But our OEM ones are legit garbage though. I have 2 that are threading on funny and I've babied them. Main reason I switched to aftermarket lugs is cause I didn't trust those 2 nuts anymore.

I'm on my fourth set. (and about to be on #5)


OEM are OK.


I also have a set of steel Gorilla; strong, inexpensive, overall good.


Had a set of aluminum, "cough" Godspeed extended lug nuts. The anodizing faded, aluminum is soft, Godspeed is junk, and now they reside in the waste bin.


Currently on steel open ended 24k gold plated lug nuts. Total waste. Gold is pretty, but not functional. Maybe the McGuard gold lugs are better. Anyway, I should know better. Steel is nickel plated then gold plated. (so the gold can stick) The plating is failing and chewing up my lug seats. They are rusting too. "ewwww, rusty nuts!"

Yeah, if you need them, you need them.

I've seen lug nut sets that go for $200+ and I just wonder WTF do people think they are getting? I even saw a post somewhere with someone defending the decision to buy expensive lug nuts because it's unsprung (true) reciprocating weight (dude needs to look up what reciprocating means) and those few grams make a difference. :sigh: