Where would I get a 'soft' socket so I don't damage my lugnuts?

[Maxx1]

The car I bought has lugs that were made in a machine shop and they look great! They are anodized black ( or maybe powder coated ) ? but I don't want to mess them up when I remove the wheels. The seller of the car told me never to use an impact, and to buy a soft socket for them. Has anyone ever heard of this?



Here' s a nice picture of my dirty wheel ... just before I cleaned it

[Thomas Owen]

Yes there are soft sockets for your lug nuts. I bought mine years ago from Performance Products but check first with Pelican because they probably carry them now.
Good luck -

[GothingNC]

I just use the Lug Wrench from the Tool Kit with a clear plastic sandwich baggy over the lug nut.

[911K]

Zim's Autotechnik in Bedford, Texas carries the soft socket. I bought one a few months ago. If I remember correctly, they are about $25. Their website is www.***********

Mike

[Dantilla]

Right here at Pelican Parts-

Part # PEL-SS-19

$25.45.

[scottb]

Originally posted by Dantilla
Right here at Pelican Parts-

Part # PEL-SS-19

$25.45.

Support Pelican!

[NY65912]

Bought them, used them, broke them.

I always use a soft socket on my nuts.

Although I do think they have a "life span" and fatigue over time.

[Eric Coffey]

The above part # from Pelican is for the socket with the plastic insert. Personally, I would spend a couple extra bucks and get the aluminum one instead:

Part# PEL-TOL-LUG19MM ($28.30)

[GrantG]

Do those soft sockets give inaccurate readings when torquing them with a torque wrench? Just wondering...

[fireant911]

Originally posted by Eric Coffey
The above part # from Pelican is for the socket with the plastic insert. Personally, I would spend a couple extra bucks and get the aluminum one instead:

Part# PEL-TOL-LUG19MM ($28.30)

The one I ordered was supposedly the one with the plastic insert but it quickly broke. It was definitely made from a metal as metal chucks came out. I contacted the vendor and sent it back which they replaced with another one. My opinion would be to get the plastic one.

[Maxx1]

Thanks for the info. Hmmmm paper or plastic ......

I mean metal or plastic? Yeah, I will support the site of course. Maybe I will go for the metal and just be very careful with the torquing procedure.

I normally torque my wheels to 60, then 80 ft lbs. Do these Fuchs take kindly to the 80 ft lb figure?

[GrantG]

96ft-lbs is the proper setting...

[Maxx1]

Originally posted by GrantG
96ft-lbs is the proper setting...

wow! ok, thanks a lot!

[Tim Hancock]

I also use a plastic bag in between the six point socket and the nut. I use this procedure for any nuts that I have painted on various projects with good results.

[Eric Coffey]

Originally posted by fireant911
The one I ordered was supposedly the one with the plastic insert but it quickly broke. It was definitely made from a metal as metal chucks came out. I contacted the vendor and sent it back which they replaced with another one. My opinion would be to get the plastic one.

That sucks that yours broke, but just an FYI, the plastic one comes with the following disclaimer:
"Cannot be used with air tools. Not for use with steel lug bolts/nuts, ONLY for original aluminum lug nuts! Also not to be used to break stuck lug nuts free from the wheels!"

The aluminum one I referenced above is impact-rated and has a lifetime warranty.

[89911]

Originally posted by Maxx1
The car I bought has lugs that were made in a machine shop and they look great! They are anodized black ( or maybe powder coated ) ? but I don't want to mess them up when I remove the wheels. The seller of the car told me never to use an impact, and to buy a soft socket for them. Has anyone ever heard of this?



Here' s a nice picture of my dirty wheel ... just before I cleaned it

You might want to check if any soft socket will fit your custom made lugnuts. I'm glad you like them, but I prefer the standard ones. When I first saw your picture, I thought you had 5 locking lugnuts on your wheels.

[schoward]

my soft socket with plastic lasted 3 weeks......no excessive torque either

[Maxx1]

Originally posted by 89911
You might want to check if any soft socket will fit your custom made lugnuts. I'm glad you like them, but I prefer the standard ones. When I first saw your picture, I thought you had 5 locking lugnuts on your wheels.

Well, the car just happened to come with them.... what can I do


Maybe I will just try the first suggestion and try a plastic bag and a standard socket.