Lug nuts are used to secure wheels to wheel studs and axles. Wheels of some German carmakers, such as Audi, BMW, Volkswagen and Saab feature lug bolts, not lug nuts. They screw into threaded holes of wheel hub and sometimes go through brake drum/disc. This wheel setup is also known as the bolted joint configuration. Overall, sizes, treads and designs of the lug nuts vary based on the wheel specs, vehicle specs and brake setup.
Lug nuts: Types & Kinds
There are 4 main types of lug nuts available on the market these days.
- cone seat;
- bulge cone seat;
- under hub cap;
- spline drive.
How to remove lug nuts: Tips & Tricks
Sometimes you will have to remove wheels by yourself, and it’s important to know, how to remove the lug nuts without damaging both the lug nuts and treads.
- It’s easy to remove lugs with an impact wrench;
- When you install lug nuts back, you need to tighten them in criss-cross pattern;
- All lug nuts for steel wheels are tapered;
- Aluminum wheels use specific type of lug nuts;
- Many custom wheels come with custom anti-theft locks, that can be removed only with a special key.
What are the most popular lug nut sizes?
The size and characteristics of lug nuts are determined based on the wheel specs and thread pitch. The majority of the lug nuts on modern vehicles feature right-handed treading. However, there are still vehicles, which require left-hand threaded lug nuts. Such lug nuts are not really common and as a rule have marking stamped on them (either ‘L’ or ‘LHT’).
Here is the list of the most popular and frequently-used lug nuts.
| # | LUG NUT DIAMETER | THREAD PITCH | CODE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10mm | 1.25 | 10mm X 1.25 |
| 2 | 12mm | 1.25 | 12mm X 1.25 |
| 3 | 12mm | 1.50 | 12mm X 1.50 |
| 4 | 12mm | 1.75 | 12mm X 1.75 |
| 5 | 14mm | 1.25 | 14mm X 1.25 |
| 6 | 14mm | 1.5 | 14mm X 1.5 |
| 7 | 14mm | 2.0 | 14mm X 2.0 |
| 8 | 7/16" | 20 | 7/16" X 20 |
| 9 | 1/2" | 20 | 1/2" X 20 |
| 10 | 9/16" | 18 | 9/16" X 18 |
The Best Lug Nuts Available Online
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I've got chrome-plated lug nuts off Amazon, and they are on my truck for a year or so. No rust, no corrosion, they look nice.
