FAQ

Is it safe to drive with only 2 lug nuts?

Don’t do it. The 2 missing lugs are across from each other, as you drive the wheel will slightly flex side to side and will break your other 2 studs.

How many turns on a lug nut is safe?

Bolt or Stud Size	Number of Turns
M14x2.0	7
M14x1.5	9.5
M14x1.25	11
M12x1.75	7
M12x1.5	8
M12x1.25	9.5
1/2"-20	10
5/16"-18	6
7/16"-20	8.5
9/16"-18	10

What are the different types of lug nuts?

There are 3 major types of lug nuts: conical tapered, ball radius, and flat seat. Most aftermarket wheels require the use of different lugs to match the seat of the new wheel. Failure to use the proper lug nuts may cause your vehicle to vibrate and could cause the lug nuts to loosen over time.

What do the numbers on lug nuts mean?

The final number refers to the length of the thread engagement. The number "1" means that the nut features 1 inch of internal thread engagement length. For example, a 14 x 1.5 x 70 wheel bolt would indicate a 14 mm diameter, a 1.5 thread pitch and a thread or shank length of 70 mm.

Are lug nuts universal?

There are a variety of different lug nuts and lug bolts out there. Each of the eight different types has its own distinguishing features.

How do you check lug nuts?

If the lug nuts on the wheels are not tightened properly, the lug nuts are likely loose. To test the tightness of the lug nuts, check the torque settings with a torque wrench. Place the torque wrench on the lug nut and then turn it clockwise to see how tight the lug nuts are. Tighten the lug nuts if they are too loose.

Are spline lug nuts better?

The precision fit and efficient drive angle of the splines provide greater contact area and greater torquing power where you need it during installation and removal. In fact, there is 59% more positive engagement over socket style lug nuts, even with no stud intrusion into the drive tool area.

Can you overtighten lug nuts by hand?

Excessively tightened lug nuts can strip the threads, distort brake rotors, damage the wheel, and possibly shear off the lug stud. Insufficiently tightened lug nuts can come loose, with catastrophic consequences.

How often should lug nuts be replaced?

Lug nuts must be torqued to the manufacturers recommended values, and they must be retorqued to those values after driving approximately 50 to 100 miles on your new tires after the tire service.

Can you drive without lug nuts?

If you are missing a lug nut, it is important to have it replaced as soon as possible. It is potentially dangerous to drive around with a missing lug nut because of the extra pressure exerted on the wheel. This pressure can damage the wheel bearings, studs, and cause other lug nuts to fall off.

Are aluminum lug nuts safe?

It is just not safe to run aluminum on your wheel because your wheel, especially the wheel stud section, gets extremely hot and when aluminum gets heated up the lug nuts or studs will sure to fail. There is a better alternative to save weight.

Do you have to tighten wheel nuts?

Strictly speaking, it is the wheel nuts (wheel bolts) that are tightened. But people often call this process "tire tightening". Do not worry, a wheel cannot just fall off! If it is really loose, you will hear loud knocking sounds whilst driving. Check the wheel nuts and retighten them or call a breakdown service.

How long should lug nuts last?

Lug nuts must be torqued to the manufacturers recommended values, and they must be retorqued to those values after driving approximately 50 to 100 miles on your new tires after the tire service. Both under- and overtightening can be dangerous.

How tight should lug nuts be torqued?

Run the lug nuts in with your favorite tool until snug, but no more. Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern twice, smoothly applying force until the wrench clicks, but no further.

Do you have to jack up your car to tighten lug nuts?

Nope, doing it with the wheels on the ground is fine, no need to lift the weight of the wheels. It is easier that way because the wheels cannot turn while you are torquing the lugs.

How do you get swollen lug nuts?

Lug nuts that swell are what are commonly referred to as "two-piece" or "chrome-plated" lug nuts (the shiny-looking lug nuts) when corrosion causes the lug nuts to swell between the two layers of dissimilar metals.

What causes lug nuts to fall off?

If the lug nuts are either not tightened, or they are over tightened, this can cause them to break.

Can loose lug nuts cause noise?

The noise that you are hearing could be the lug nuts being loose or the wheel bearing hub assembly could be failing. Check the lug nuts and tighten them if they are loose.

What are bulge lug nuts?

Bulge lug nuts have an extended seating surface that is designed to match the wider seating surface used on some aluminum wheels.

How many ft. lbs. should lug nuts be?

Most automotive lug nuts are tightened to 90 – 120 ft. lbs., truck ones will be more, about 120-150 ft. lbs.

Which way do lug nuts loosen?

Loosen the lug nuts by turning the wrench to the left (counterclockwise). If the lug nuts are tight, try placing the wrench on the nut and standing on the wrench arm to use your full weight on it. You can also try hitting the wrench arm with a rock.

Are tire lug nuts reverse thread?

The left side of the car lug nuts are reverse threaded. They loosen/tighten the wrong way. The lug nuts are left loose, the right ones are always tight.

What tool should you use to tighten wheel lug nuts?

A lug wrench is a name for a type of socket wrench used to loosen and tighten lug nuts on automobile wheels. Lug wrenches may be L-shaped or X-shaped.

Can your tire fall off from a bad wheel bearing?

A bad wheel bearing can lead to uneven tire wear, which means you will have to purchase tires sooner. If a wheel bearing is missing, it is not recommended you drive the vehicle at all as the wheel can fall off entirely while the vehicle is in motion.

What are acorn lug nuts?

A conical seat lug nut is sometimes called an "acorn" or a "tapered" lug nut. This is the most common seat type. They are available with 60° or 45° taper. A 60° conical seat is the most common and is found on most aftermarket wheels.

What size socket are lug nuts?

Common socket sizes that fit most lug nuts are 13/16, 7/8, 3/4, 15/16 inch, and 17 and 19 mm.

What happens if you torque a bolt too much?

Too much force can cause a technician to strip threaded fasteners or stretch bolts beyond their limits, which can result in loose nuts or cause the bolt to crack and break.