GregM Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 My project MJ had a remarkable assortment of lugnuts for only having 77k miles. I looked around to find replacements that look somewhat like what I think the originals looked like. I ended up with a set from "Lug Nut Guys" on eBay. They are $13.98, including free shipping. The price was right, but they aren't stainless so they are going to rust, but they seemed to be a good interim solution until I figure out what the right thing to get is. I'll wipe them down with a little kerosene after installation which should help keep them from rusting (old trick our grandparents used to do to keep their cars from rusting out...) However (why is there always a 'however'?) when I got my MJ back from the 4WD shop (they had to cut off and weld a new lower control arm mount on, install new hubs, and new (Chinese) rotors, etc.) several of the brand new lugnuts were now missing their chrome covers! I'm not sure how that happens because the covers wrap around the bevel on the back. The only thing I can think of is that maybe the 60 degree bevel isn't right for Jeep factory wheels, or using an impact gun causes problems. I realize the LugNut question has probably been raised before and although I looked around, I didn't really see any answers. So here are my questions: 1) Are factory lugnuts any better than the cheap ones I bought on eBay? i.e. are they worth paying more for? 2) Are there stainless steel lugnuts or lugnuts with stainless steel covers? 3) Will hand tightening keep the covers from coming off? I would guess this is a common problem... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 The factory lugnuts have a stainless steel cover. Use of an impact gun deforms the covers, and they fall off. That's one major reason why I never let a shop touch my lugnuts -- if I need tire work, I'll take off the wheel(s) at home, using a manual spanner, and take it/them to the shop in the back of another vehicle. To reinstall, I snug up with the spanner and then finish with a torque wrench. I've bought perfect replacements for the factory lug nuts from Pep Boys. IIRC, they cost about $3 each, so $15 for a set of five. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockfrog Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 I generally replace my lugnuts with solid units as I tire of the stamped covers falling off. That said I have a coffee tin of good lugnuts case they are always handy to have when needed. Its' just a lugnuts, same type as used by GM, Ford, etc ... Their was nothing particularly MJ specific about the factory lugnuts. They were just the generic lug of the times, and are the same as those supplied to this day (given 1/2" threading). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregM Posted May 2, 2015 Author Share Posted May 2, 2015 As I look at the Dorman 611-122-BP parts the cover does not wrap around the back of the lugnuts. Maybe that is the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjrev10 Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 These are what I've used. http://www.quadratec.com/products/92806_100X_PG.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schardein Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 The factory with stainless covers are nice in that the cover doesn't rust, but as mentioned they loosen up when being removed/replaced (even with a regular wrench over time) and when the cover falls off, the remaining nut is slightly undersized, which could lead to rounding it off, usually when you are on the side of the road in a bad spot. I recently replaced all of mine with solid chrome ones, off ebay. Yes they will eventually rust but they are still better than stock in my opinion. I had over 50 of the original lug nuts (replaced all on both my XJ and MJ, plus collected spares) and sold them for .50 per. Glad they are gone. If you have a pic-n-pull near you, you can get factory lugs cheap, as they were also used on Grand Cherokees and Libertys, as well as XJ, MJ, etc. I've been to some places where they pull every single wheel before it goes into the yard, so might want to check that before making a long drive. Anyway it worked for me, as I replaced a good number over the years this way. Finally went to the solid ones as a final fix. I don't think any of the factory type are any better whether they are OEM or aftermarket. I have seen solid stainless lugs, can't remember where. Think they were expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregM Posted May 2, 2015 Author Share Posted May 2, 2015 Apparently there are a number of different designs for the lugnuts. The ones I got are chrome plated steel for the body of the lugnut, but appears to have a cap glued or otherwise fastened to the end. It appears to be the cap that came off on mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 These are what I've used. http://www.quadratec.com/products/92806_100X_PG.htm Chrome plated -- they'll turn to rust in a year. Do they take a 3/4" socket, or do they need a 13/16" socket? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJRemi Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 I have a full set of Gorilla brand lug nuts, brand new, never installed. PM me if you want a very good deal. Remi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megadan Posted May 2, 2015 Share Posted May 2, 2015 There is always the option of powdercoated lug nuts. They are a little harder to find, and just like the chrome plating they will eventually loose beauty as they are removed and installed with tools.I honestly just replace mine every couple of years with a new set from the parts store. If I even care to. Obsessing over how pretty the lug nuts are is something more akin to a garage queen or a show car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schardein Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 These are what I've used. http://www.quadratec.com/products/92806_100X_PG.htm Chrome plated -- they'll turn to rust in a year. Do they take a 3/4" socket, or do they need a 13/16" socket? Good point, whatever you get it's a good idea to make sure they are 3/4" so the factory lug wrench works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tugalo Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 lug nuts with stainless covers are 19 mm, when the cover falls off they are 18mm. Since most tire places use SAE air wrenches and not metric, that is why the covers are wrenched off. Follow Eagles advice...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParadiseMJ Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 I bought some solid one piece SS acorn nuts for my XJ they were not cheap. I believe I paid around $45 on ebay for 20 of them around 5 yrs. ago because I was tired of the covers coming off. POS design Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjrev10 Posted May 3, 2015 Share Posted May 3, 2015 These are what I've used.http://www.quadratec.com/products/92806_100X_PG.htmChrome plated -- they'll turn to rust in a year. Do they take a 3/4" socket, or do they need a 13/16" socket? 3/4 I've bought probably around 50 of them over the years and never had a issue with rust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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