Aluminum Lugs...???

[KCinBR]

Had to remove my rear tire last night because of a leak. It looks like the lug nuts are aluminum,( I have BBS wheels) are these necessary and/or are there steel ones available?

What would be the down side to replacing them with steel nuts?

My concern is that they will get rounded off and I will not be able to get them off if I have a flat out on the road.

Anything else I need to know, just let-er rip..........

Thanks.................KC

[Quicksilver]

No one has trouble with the aluminum lug nuts. The only issues that come up is is some idiot over tightens them with a rattle wrench (use a torque wrench @96ft/lbs), they could wear if the threads and face aren't assembly lubed, or if you use a steel wheel lock as it will mess up the balance.

They do reduce the tendency for the lug nuts to chew up the wheels and they really show Porsche's commitment to details as they help reduce the unsprung weight and protect the expensive wheels.

Wayne

[Spede]

Steel open lugs are stronger than alloy ones and are often used for track use.

[oldE]

If you do change to steel, make sure the inner surfaces have the proper profile to match the holes in your wheels.
Les

[Quicksilver]

Originally posted by Spede
Steel open lugs are stronger than alloy ones and are often used for track use.

The aluminum lug nuts are great but racing organizations require non-enclosed lug nuts and longer studs to insure that you can see that there is complete thread engagement. Also you have to use an air wrench in the pits so you would over torque the aluminum nuts. The last point on racing is the rules are all based on blanket covering a wide range of cars and people are also using the available developed products for these applications.

End result: On the street stick with the stock lug nuts. Just make sure you use some sort of grease on the threads and the nut face followed by hand torqueing the nuts. You will never have a problem.

Wayne

[JeremyD]

I use Steel on the track. Several of the PCA regions will only allow Stele lugs on the track. you can pick them up off ebay - or there are a few vendors that supply steel - I bought by track set on ebay.