No lugnut inserts acceptable for street use?

[venturaII]

So my question is pretty much what the title states: I have Motegi Traklites and they do not use a steel insert for the lugnut to seat against. I assume the rationale was to shave as much weight as possible, but I'm wondering if it will pose any durability/longevity issues on the street? I usually check torque once a month or so, and so far none of the nuts have been loose. I suppose a machine shop could drill out/press in inserts to make them a little more durable....just wondering if I'm worrying about a non-issue.

[Poodles]

It's fine. It's actually relatively rare for a wheel to have steel inserts for the lug nut seats.

[mav1178]

Stock wheels have inserts because it makes the wheel more durable in the long run, plus removes the wheels as a point of failure when all said and done.

This is a non-issue unless you are driving your car as if it was still on stock wheels.

-alex

[venturaII]

Originally Posted by Poodles

It's fine. It's actually relatively rare for a wheel to have steel inserts for the lug nut seats.

Really? I can't recall a set of aluminum wheels (stock or aftermarket) NOT having them...

Originally Posted by mav1178

This is a non-issue unless you are driving your car as if it was still on stock wheels..

Not sure what you mean by this...?

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by venturaII

Really? I can't recall a set of aluminum wheels (stock or aftermarket) NOT having them...

Just wheels I've personally owned on this car:
Weds Sport TC105n
Work VS-XX
Volk RE30
Volk ZE40
Advan RG-D
Advan F15
Enkei RPF1

None of those had steel lug seat inserts.

Originally Posted by venturaII

Not sure what you mean by this...?

The reason why OEM wheels weigh a ton and also have these is for long term strength and durability. It's cheaper for them to overbuild the wheels so you can drive it on virtually any type of surface and not have any issues.

Newer factory wheels with a better supplier have designs without a lug seat insert. It all depends on whether it can meet stress/impact tests as determined by the manufacturer.

Once you move to more high-end performance cars, you'll start finding OEM wheels without lug seats.

-alex

[Poodles]

Originally Posted by mav1178

Stock wheels have inserts because it makes the wheel more durable in the long run, plus removes the wheels as a point of failure when all said and done.

This is a non-issue unless you are driving your car as if it was still on stock wheels.

-alex

Most stock wheels don't even have them either. Never had them on any of the cars I've owned or worked on...


Odd note is that I noticed that the brands of wheels that my local Subaru dealer has on display DO have inserts. I thought it was odd at the time since I've never seen inserts used before Maybe it has something to do with rally or something...

Originally Posted by venturaII

Really? I can't recall a set of aluminum wheels (stock or aftermarket) NOT having them...

And like I said, never seen a set of wheels with them until recently. I don't think my STI wheels have them either...

[venturaII]

Hmm...I still have a set of OEM Benz wheels from my last car...I'll have to check again; I'd swear they had them, as well as my Jeep. Regardless, as long as I keep an eye on torque, it sounds like I'm fine. Thanks!

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by Poodles

Most stock wheels don't even have them either. Never had them on any of the cars I've owned or worked on...

A lot has to do with the OEM supplier and what they paid for from a manufacturing perspective. Mine is more of a blanket statement... but many modern cars don't have inserts in their alloy wheels.

-alex