Awwww, (lug)Nuts!!!!!!!

While rolling down I-70 this AM I notices a vibration, only while slightly turning to one side. As it continued to get worse, I became more nervous, to the point of pulling over to inspect. I found that I had a, yes, one (uno) (1) lug holding the front left wheel onto the truck. I had some tools with me, so I started barrowing lugs from the other three wheels. While doing this I found a lug that had just fallen off. Heck yeah!!! I'll have 5 lugs on each wheel so I can get home!!!

Got things tightened up, started slowly rolling and the rig stopped. (Great! Now what?)

Took a second look and noticed one of my wheel studs had come loose and had fallen between the hub and disk. (a few choice words were spoken)

The work continued on the shoulder of I-70. I popped off the wheel, brake caliper and disk to remove the stud. With the stud removed I assembled everything back together and was on my way again.

Now for repairs.
I see Toyota offers two different wheel studs (PN 43502); Type A and B (ref: FRONT AXLE HUB. 2005 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab 4.0L M/T 4WD | Toyota Parts Center Online). How do I know what stud to get, A or B? Looking at pictures, one is longer than the other (31.877mm vs. 40mm). I assume it is based on type of wheel, steel vs. aluminum, steel requiring the shorter? Can someone confirm this?

Next item, the Hub. As the stud was not only bent, but had backed out of the hub, do I need to get a new hub? If so, I'd assume I'll need a new seal?

Lastly. I hate the chrome caps that are placed over lug nuts. I have some 2000 4Runner Limited wheels I plan to refurbish to a flat/mate black. Any suggestions on solid, uncapped, correct, black lug nuts and where I can find them.

I need a beer

 

You are supposed to re-torque lug nuts after about 500 miles anytime you have the wheels off. It is one of those things most of never do, myself included. Or at least I used to not do it. Please don't think I'm running you in the ground for not doing this. At least you caught it before it got bad. I had a wheel come off our travel trailer in the middle of nowhere New Mexico a couple of years ago. It cost me about $700 to get it repaired and was damn lucky to run across good people who treated us well. That could have been a lot more expensive.

I now check lug nuts a lot more often. And between your experience and mine hopefully it will prevent this from happening to someone else.

Sorry, I can't help with the studs.

And yes, I hate the capped lug nuts. I've replaced them on both my F150 and Tacoma. It wouldn't cost the factory $50 more to use good ones when they make them. I'd gladly pay $50 more when I buy the truck.

 

Dude that’s crazy! I’m glad you pulled over and didn’t have a fuck it attitude, you would’ve surely lost a wheel, followed by nothing but bad, worse and what happened to Doyle at the end of Sling Blade.

 

Marshall R,
You are correct. Always double check lug nuts at or near 500 miles. The thing is I haven't messed with the wheels, at all, since it showed up late Dec 2022. PO drove it 1.5 hours to my house without issue. I've driven it for about 500 to 600 miles since. PO hasn't responded to inquiries about wheel/tire work prior to exchange. This is just weird.

10thMTNgrunt,
Crazy? I was crazy once.
I've had bad stuff happen in the past. Enough to know that when something ain't right, ya better stop before Murphey shows up. Murphey is always around.


Still trying to figure out the stud length for aluminum wheels and if replacement of the hub is necessary.

I did get a beer or two.

 

I'd consider a new hub if the stud holes are widened out or damaged. Also check the wheel carefully and make sure those holes aren't widened out too. All new studs and nuts obviously. If possible use a stud installer tool instead of pulling them on with a nut, that risks damaging the threads on your new stud. You've got some choices as to how thorough you want to be.

The lug nut caps help keep rust and corrosion out of the threads, but I can agree some of the aftermarket nuts (like dorman) are really cheap and the cap is like tinfoil.

 

I was tracking the stud hole in the hub but hadn't thought to check the wheel holes. Maybe because I have three sets of wheels laying around? I have to look closer are the rest of the lugs/studs but can't until I get my jack stands back from a guy doing an 07 4Runner frame swap. That's a friggn nightmare.

Still haven't figured out the correct length of stud to order.

Ran out of beer. Got plenty of whiskey though.

 

Stopped by the local parts store for other stuff and asked them to look up stud length. Dude behind the counter asked if it was for the front or rear of the truck. I responded with front and he stated, "the long one".

I find this strange because the location I was looking earlier was a Toyota Parts lookup site, focused on the Front Axle Hub, that showed two studs for the front.

 

black lug nuts. no caps. assuming you have aluminum OEM wheels. https://parts.toyota.com/p/toyota_2...Lug-Nut-accessory-/79579510/PT0766020002.html

I would replace the whole hub with OEM if the studs just fell out of it.

 

These are a good OEM replica. I've had them on with the factory alloy wheels. (after the tire shop fked up my original ones.

TCP Hardware Group 24 pcs M12x1.5 Mag Seat Lug Nuts with Stainless Steel Capped, 21mm Hex, 36.5mm Length Compatible with Toyota Lexus Scion Camry Corolla Tacoma

Amazon.com: TCP Hardware Group 24 pcs M12x1.5 Mag Seat Lug Nuts with Stainless Steel Capped, 21mm Hex, 36.5mm Length Compatible with Toyota Lexus Scion Camry Corolla Tacoma : Automotive

This fits perfectly

CRAFTSMAN Deep Impact Socket, Metric, 1/2" Drive, 21mm (CMMT16081)

Amazon.com: CRAFTSMAN Deep Impact Socket, Metric, 1/2-Inch Drive, 21mm (CMMT16081) : Tools & Home Improvement


This looks like the same nuts I have, but in black.

TCP Hardware Group M12x1.5 Lug Nuts with Mag Seat Black,13/16" 21mm Hex 1.46" with Tall 0.83" Washer Compatible with Toyota Lexus Hyundai Kia Lexus ES330 Toyota Camry Corolla Tacoma & More, Set of 24

Amazon.com: TCP Hardware Group M12x1.5 Lug Nuts with Mag Seat Black,13/16" 21mm Hex 1.46" with Tall 0.83" Washer Compatible with Toyota Lexus Hyundai Kia Lexus ES330 Toyota Camry Corolla Tacoma & More, Set of 24 : Everything Else

 

Do you have the stud that fell out? just measure it.

 

You know, if you ugaduggg ugaduggggggg udaduggggga, 5 times with the impact gun, you can torque those nuts down to about 200 ft lbs.
at least that is what the tire shops do. They are just making sure that them nuts don't fall off the stud...

 

Used Toyota # 90942-02082

Then on eBay found:
Under Head Length: 40 mm
Thread Size: M12-1.50

Also based on wheels if mags or steel found black lug nuts but you have to repaint them before using or they will start rusting in several months.
I used the box they came in and stood them up and shot a few coats of Rustoleum satin black and let dry overnight before putting on. Good then.

 

Definitely check the wheels!!!

I had some wheels I bought from tirerack and the chrome began to chip inside the mounting holes. The nuts wouldn't seat properly and eventually the holes became oblonged and the wheels were trash.

Just to let everyone know. This happened within the warranty period and I had a continuing dialogue with tirerack well before the warranty was up, them stalling and making excuses, and when the anniversary date was up and the warranty expired they suddenly said there was no warranty and they had no obligations.

 

So why is it popular for manufacturers to use the stainless clad lug nuts? Hard to imagine it is cheaper.

Depending on what has happened to them in their lifetime - they swell and jam into the "'proper" size of socket....... a good friend of mine is/was a lifetime pro-mechanic and he even has a 21.5 mm socket.

 

I thought I had tossed it into the truck but can't find it. It was bent.

 

90942-02082! Awesome. I picked up some on my way home before seeing this. Thanks for the reassurance.
Lug nuts? I went this direction;

$25 MIKKUPPA M12x1.5 Mag Lug Nuts, 24PCS 13/16'' (21mm) Hex Black Mag Seat Tire Nuts with Washer, Replacement for Toyota Camry RAV4 Highlander Corolla Tacoma 4Runner Prius Sienna OEM Factory Wheels

Amazon.com: MIKKUPPA M12x1.5 Lug Nuts Set of 24pcs Hex 13/16'' (21mm) Black OEM Factory Style Mag Seat Lug Nuts Replacement for Toyota Lexus Factory Wheels : Industrial & Scientific They should get the job done.

 

I have used that brand several times.
Every time i got really soft mushy nuts.

I use TCP brand now.

 

The hub was fine. I was able to press in a new stud using the bosses press. Pulled out a set of wheels and tires I had sitting around.
Wheels are 17" from a TRD 4runner and tires are 275/70. Yes. They rub a bit midway through a turn.
Not to worry. I have a 3" lift coming.