Best non-marring lug nut socket

[steve meltzer]

It's been some time since I purchased a non-marring socket to remove lug nuts. That one, as I recall, was really not very good, as the nylon insert quickly disintegrated. I bought a 911 with really nice titanium lug nuts and I really would like to keep them in good condition. Who makes the best socket to prevent damage? Does anyone use an impact gun? Battery powered? Pneumatic? Any thoughts to help? Thanks Steve.

[RDM]

I bought a 24mm deep socket sleeved down with lead to 19mm here on Pelican years ago. Works great. I always turn by hand- I'm not in a hurry when I'm working on the 911. I mean, what would i rather be doing?

[steve meltzer]

RDM thanks for the prompt response. I had a nearly new '80 911SC coupe; also petrol blue which I believe also had a cork interior. It was has always been one of my all-time favorite colors just beautiful. Thanks again Steve.

[silverlock]

Big fan of the Wera 19mm socket. Plastic sheath on the outside and inside so it doesn’t mar the wheel or the lug nuts.

Still holding up after 2+ years of constant use. My mobile tire guy liked it so much he bought one himself.

[Mark Salvetti]

Originally Posted by silverlock

Big fan of the Wera 19mm socket. Plastic sheath on the outside and inside so it doesn’t mar the wheel or the lug nuts.

Still holding up after 2+ years of constant use. My mobile tire guy liked it so much he bought one himself.

Nice. This one?
https://www.kctool.com/wera-004590-lug-nut-1-2-impact-socket-with-plastic-sleeve-19mm/

That one the inner plastic seems to be just to protect the top of the lug nut, not the sides. Do they make another that grips the nut with plastic?

Mark

[proporsche]

i have been using this one with plastic inside or the alu.type made in Japan

[steve meltzer]

@Silverlock is the socket you described and linked by @Mark Salvetti sleeved with robust plastic on all six sides of the inside? Thanks, Steve.

[Mark Salvetti]

Originally Posted by steve meltzer

@Silverlock is the socket you described and linked by @Mark Salvetti sleeved with robust plastic on all six sides of the inside? Thanks, Steve.

I don't think so. That's why I asked. Check out the images on Amazon: Wera 19 mm Socket

Mark

[steve meltzer]

I really couldn't tell from the website, but one thing is for sure, there are way too many choices! Reminds me of a scene from the great movie, Amadeus. Mozart had just presented one of his operas, ?? the magic flute??, and he asks one of the King's courtiers what the king thought of the opera. The response was, " too many notes for the royal ear"! That analogy goes well here! s

[RDM]

Originally Posted by steve meltzer

RDM thanks for the prompt response. I had a nearly new '80 911SC coupe; also petrol blue which I believe also had a cork interior. It was has always been one of my all-time favorite colors just beautiful. Thanks again Steve.

And I had a '69 911E coupe, bahama yellow with tan vinyl interior.

Back when they were $6500 cars.

[Mike Czech]

I have an aluminum socket, and always tighten/untighten by hand - no impact wrench! I think that I bought it on Pelican, it's been about 20 years now . . . works great, doesn't mar the stock lug nuts at all.

And to follow RDM's comment, I bought my '77 911S for $4500 (albeit with the fuel injectors in a box, and the car not running, just took a bit of effort and it was running again - oil leaks, and a broken exhaust stud was another story.). ;-) Those were the days.

[proporsche]

asMike said -i also never use an impact all done by hands -always...
Oh ya i miss my 1966 912 i got for 1000 bucks from a lady at a news stand-she was pissed that it did not started right, so i bought it right there and drove her home;-)later i had to sell it for 5K and bought my 85 911 for $ 9 500 back in 1996 as a bank repo..
ivan

[GH85Carrera]

I have socket with a plastic liner. I bought in back in 1996. I have used it regularly for all those years.

I too never user an impact on the aluminum lugs. I loosen the lug by hand, them use my drill driver with an 3/4 socket adapter to spin the nut off and back on with a very low setting on the clutch.

Then I use the torque wrench to torque to 95 pound feet

[silverlock]

Originally Posted by Mark Salvetti

Nice. This one?
https://www.kctool.com/wera-004590-lug-nut-1-2-impact-socket-with-plastic-sleeve-19mm/

That one the inner plastic seems to be just to protect the top of the lug nut, not the sides. Do they make another that grips the nut with plastic?

Mark

It is plastic inside too (I know, I have one…)

> Internal plastic insert protects the wheel bolt surface

[famoroso]

Thankfully, the Ti lug nuts are less susceptible to marring than the black aluminum versions.

Non-marring and impact in the same question?... Hmmm. That's a negative.

I used to use these aluminum sockets with a plastic grocery bag "condom" over the stock aluminum nuts...





I've since switched all three cars to black, open end, Ti nuts. Now I use the aluminum sockets, sans plastic bag condom. These have been on / off many times.

[steve meltzer]

Thanx guys.... I have the open TI lug nuts on one of my Porsches, but not the one I am actually questioning. Thanks again, Steve.