Here's somthing I didn't know about lug nuts

So my '06 has been through many lug nut install/removal cycles. Some by me, some by dealer shops, tire shops, etc. Yesterday during a tire rotation, I noticed several nuts were dented, with damaged corners on the flats. A couple were so damaged I could not get a socket to seat. Finally I tore the top off one of them, trying to remove it! I wasn't using an impact tool, only a 21mm socket and an 18" breaker bar.

Come to find out, there is a thin outter shell over the actual lug nut! Who knew? I was able to remove the damaged top and use a 7/8" multi-point socket to remove the remains.

Needless to say I have replaced all the lug nuts with SOLID longer flat aftermarket 21mm nuts.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/390841758304?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Top: old torn nut
Bottom: new longer solid nuts

 

that's nuts

 

They are a stainless steel cover over a steel nut. Some have reported of the inner nut corroding and swelling to the point where the socket wont fit over the nut. Toyota cheaped out to save money and weight.

 

I have these lugs on my Tacoma never gave me any problems yet!. Had um for about a year. But getting really scared on the key striping or nut stripping because I rotate about every 3-4 months. Any other really good lug nuts out their guys?. Also with a key?

 

There are many after market lug nuts that are solid one piece without the cheap covering.
It also helps a lot to use quality tools, especially good mechanics quality 6 side deep sockets.
You can often find sockets made specifically for wheels and air guns.

 

Huh?

 

It (x2) means he wants to know the same info you are asking

 

Aren't these the ones that Dustin includes with his wheels thru FNwheels? My lugs look just like those.

@JdMeF9SiR2

 

I got one piece lug centric lug nuts from my local tire store for a buck each.

 

Ummmm, Tacos require hub centric wheels. Do you use acorn seat or mag seat lug nuts?

 

Do you mean the factory wheels? You can run lug centric wheels. I use the same lug centric nuts on my wheels because they arent hub centric.

 

Did you install a hub ring? If not do you have vibes or trouble keeping them balanced? Even if you don't, all impact forces to your lug centric wheels are transferred as shear force to your lugs and they aren't designed to handle that. Snapped lugs can be pretty dramatic and damn dangerous.

 

As long you mount the wheel correctly and tighten the nuts in the right order, they seat fine. The same with correct torque to the nuts. If the force was pushing the wheel up or down, then they would slide on the hub and move.

 

Lug centric nuts .. Hub centric wheels ..
can someone explain as now i am confused

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Dont get me wrong, Im not against hub rings. I looked into them wh n I got my wheels, but they dont sell a metal ring in size I would use. Plastic is all that was available, and they wont do any good. They pinch and squish.

 

Hub centric wheels fit perfectly on the axle hub. If you look at the hub with the wheel off, you will see a circle that sticks out. The factory wheel, or hub centric wheel fits directly on that. Hub centric is ideal, as it prevents any issues.

Lug centric uses the lug nut to guide the wheel to center because the hub is a different size than the center hole of the wheel. Lugs meant for this have a neck on them that fit into the wheel to guide it.

 

References like this one from Roberts Consulting Engineers would suggest looking until correct metallic hub rings are found.