Where to buy stainless steel lug nuts?
 

I think they are M14x1.5. Sound right? Fischer's only had them in steel and I don't want to be breaking rusty lugs off. Are there any local sources for these in stainless? The kid at Fischer's suggested HBL and I just laughed.

Can’t really help w/your nuts, but wanted to remind you that Porsche uses a proprietary seating angle on their wheels. Same for most after market wheels made for Porsches. Though, one of our Dorki’s has wheels w/different requirements on his ’76. What this means is if it don’t say “for Porsche” then just say no!

If you were planning on putting the wheels on and leaving them on for, say, a couple of years, I guess I'd go with stainless steel nuts.

On the other hand, most track junkies have the wheels off most of the time. So the regular steel nuts never really get a chance to rust on solid. Hopefully you're only torquing the nuts to 94 ft lbs or so, though a good impact wrench can get practically anything off.

Richard,

I have 31-year-old steel lug nuts. Believe it or not, they're not rusty. Go figure ...

The best place to buy lug nuts is OG Racing...I think they have them specially made but they are a must if you're going to be taking your wheels on an off all the time.

They are pricey but worth every penny. Some cars some stock with the aluminum nuts...and if you try to remove them after a hot session on the track they will easily crack...

I think it's a strength issue more than a rust issue.

Wes

Ok, let's back up for minute. Maybe I don't understand why stainless steel lugs are necessary. I don't plan to swap wheels before and after the occasional track event. I do, however, have my wheels off regularly for brake flushes and other DIY work - let's say once per month. How often is often enough to not have to worry about rust, if I get just plain steel nuts, which I can get at Fischer's? And how much does OG get for their stainless steel ones?

RL:

As long as these seat correctly in the wheels you are using (where inner surface of nut meets outer surface of wheel) and thread pitch is correct (I hear Mr. Riley's comment above) you should be fine with plain steel.

I have plain steel lug nuts on the 356 (also on our other cars) and sometimes I won't take the wheels off for several months (e.g. over the winter). Granted, not running in the rain and snow but ... over the years ... have never had a problem "rusting-on " or such.

Also, have plain steel lug nuts (capped end like OEM) on my '76 for the mini-lights and have no problems rusting or freezing on. Simple solution = antiseize when R & R ing and 94 lb ft. (or ft. lb :)). The torquing of course varies with application. :wink:

Jase

Ok, maybe I should have asked what kind of lugs you have now....aluminum or mild steel? My comparison was to the aluminum lugs. OG sells open (no cap) lugs primarily for racing or high use purposes. Bill Love will tell you the shape of the lug is "factory spec". I think they go for something like $2 or $3 each which sounds like a lot but if you need good lug nuts, they are the ones.

I've never heard of plain steel nuts rusting on...but then again I haven't had much experience with them.

My only advice would be to stay away from aluminum...otherwise any steel ("regular" or stainless) should suit your needs...so long as they are made for Porsches....I would stay away from "generic" lugs nuts.

I bought a set of open-end steel lug nuts from Vertex for track use. $2.75 each, if I remember correctly. No rusting over the last 3 years, but my car lives in a garage most of the time.

Richard, if you use anti-sieze and take your wheels off regularly, you will have absolutely no problem with the steel nuts.

I have the plain steel on the SC, 356 & ’71 Targa. Only the SC’s rust! I got them from RPM for about what OG has them for & they simply need a coat of paint. Steel, open end is a Club Race & probably SCCA requirement. They are stronger & you can see stud engagement.

Richard – don’t buy just lug nuts, they will ruin your new wheels – go with nuts for Porsches – your hardware store is great but likely will not have the right nut.

I think it’s nuts for you to get SS for your car! Weren’t you the one not doing many DEs this year :?: