Any Experience With Chinese Made Empi LugNuts? Pics

slow&rusty · 07-16-2020, 11:43 AM

Guys / Gals - I recently bought a brand new set of Porsche aluminum lugnuts made by Empi. Once I received them and really inspected them they seem to be well made, and maybe or maybe not surprised they are made in China. Either way not wanting to play Russian Roulette with a wheel flying off!

Curious if anyone has experience with these? And next to them are my 33-year old OEM Porsche ones.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

AG81 · AG81's Garage

You lost me at Chinese made.......

Mark Salvetti · 07-16-2020, 03:05 PM

I'm not sure it's a good idea to chrome the shoulder that touches the alloy wheel.

Mark

RDM · RDM's Garage

I'm sure it's not a good idea to chrome the shoulder that touches the alloy wheel.

Fixed it for ya.

Geronimo '74 · 07-17-2020, 03:34 AM

agree with all three above

Lyle O · Lyle O's Garage

The key thing to know is the metallurgy of the lug nut material. True OEM Porsche (like your originals) was a special alloy; very strong/light, and durable. With that funky plating on there it is hard to tell...

bkreigsr · 07-17-2020, 04:23 AM

Very low probability of your wheel 'flying off' is if, a) all 5 lug nuts are engaged and b) all are torqued properly.
If the new lugs start to fail individually, I'd start looking for new set.

Dpmulvan · 07-17-2020, 04:52 AM

While it’s impossible to avoid Chinese products all together I avoid them whenever possible for two reasons. 1. They want to destroy us 2. Cheap Junk.

coldstart · 07-17-2020, 05:23 AM

It is very unlikely that the lugnuts will fail and a wheel would fly off. A more likely failure scenario is that the threads are poor and after a few repetitions one of them will destroy a wheel stud. I doubt you will have that or any other problem though.

MBAtarga · 07-17-2020, 05:25 AM

The machining and finish quality certainly lives up to them being made in China.

sugarwood · sugarwood's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Salvetti

I'm not sure it's a good idea to chrome the shoulder that touches the alloy wheel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDM

I'm sure it's not a good idea to chrome the shoulder that touches the alloy wheel.

Fixed it for ya.

Why is that bad ?

slow&rusty · 07-17-2020, 07:42 AM

Thanks guys.

I bought these unaware that they would actually be made in China. I figured a well known brand like EMPI that has been around for decades would be quality products...so was shocked as you all when I saw the country of manufacture. I guess its no different that the high percentage of products being made in Mexico as well.

Curious like sugarwood, why is it bad with the chrome shoulder touching the alloy wheel?

kamaro · 07-17-2020, 08:30 AM

I think maybe the chrome layer would deteriorate and will cause the nut to loose out.

ClickClickBoom · ClickClickBoom's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

Thanks guys.

I bought these unaware that they would actually be made in China. I figured a well known brand like EMPI that has been around for decades would be quality products...so was shocked as you all when I saw the country of manufacture. I guess its no different that the high percentage of products being made in Mexico as well.

Curious like sugarwood, why is it bad with the chrome shoulder touching the alloy wheel?

https://www.valin.com/resources/articles/dissimilar-metal-corrosion-and-electrolysis-water-based-hydraulic-systems

shoooo32 · shoooo32's Garage

The surface finish of the hex faces isn't very good and the nickel base plating is pitted, giving the chrome on the seat radius that pock marked effect. Neither should affect it's ability to hold the wheel on, but the plating will likely peel faster than a lug that was coated correctly.

And just like here in the states, you get what you pay for. There are tremendously talented machine shops in both countries, and also some real hacks. In this instance, do you want the surface finish to be smooth and the plating to meet ASTM standards for visual appearance and adhesion? Just add those requirements to the drawing and watch the quotes double in price. Cheap - fast - good; you can only pick two at a time.

rennch · rennch's Garage

empi has been around for a looooooong time, so unless those are a knockoff, they are probably just fine.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

1. not NOT NOT a good place to save $$

2.try one on each wheel with the real lug nuts - see what happens

1979-930 · 1979-930's Garage

An aluminum nut will never destroy a steel stud.
If they are junk the nut threads will strip when torquing. Otherwise they will hold just fine.
And I have used plenty of chromed steel lugs and never had one come loose.
Use them

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Trackrash · Trackrash's Garage

The problem is the fact that chrome plating aluminum is not chemically stable. There is a potential for galvanic corrosion which will cause the chrome to peel. If you keep the lugs dry AND they did the plating correctly you should be OK.

You might want to recheck the torque once in a while.

sugarwood · sugarwood's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWebb

1. not NOT NOT a good place to save $$

2.try one on each wheel with the real lug nuts - see what happens

Car parts are made to a price point. China doesn't automatically mean junk. Those Empi nuts are like $7 each. They are not cheap at all. They are likely very high quality. He is totally fine, and it's silly to see the hysteria on this thread.