Anyone who’s ever replaced a wheel or tire knows the importance of getting the right lug nut size. If you don’t, you risk having your wheel fall off and your car becoming a total disaster. But what are lug nuts, exactly? And how do you determine which size to get? In this article, we will take a look at the basics of lug nuts and help you determine which size is right for your vehicle.
What is a lug nut?
A lug nut is a type of nut that is used on wheels to secure the wheel to the axle. The lug nut is threaded on one end and has a washer and a locknut on the other. The locknut is tightened onto the threads on the lug nut, while the washer ensures that there is enough space between the lug nut and the wheel for it to spin.
How to determine lug nut size
If you have a wheel with lugs, you need to determine the size of the lug nuts that will fit. The easiest way to do this is to measure the circumference of the wheel.
Then divide the measurement by 2 to get the diameter of the lug nut. Choose a lug nut size that is equal to or slightly smaller than this diameter.
What are the different types of lug nuts?
There are three types of lug nuts: hexagonal, Torx, and square. Hexagonal lug nuts are the most common type found on cars. They have a six-sided head with a socket on one end and a bolt on the other. Torx lug nuts have a T-shaped head with two indentations that fit onto the bolt. Square lug nuts have a flat head with four equally spaced holes.
How to install lug nuts
Instructions on how to install lug nuts:
1. Loosen lugnuts. Most vehicles have 14mm or 15mm size lug nuts. Lugnuts are usually tightened by hand, but some newer cars have an Allen wrench that can be used to tighten them.
2. Place the tire over the wheel and use a piece of paper or a ruler to mark the position of the lugnuts on each side of the axle, making sure they are evenly spaced around the circumference of the wheel.
3. Remove the tire and wheel assembly from the vehicle.
4. Position one lugnut in each marked location on the axle, being careful not to deform or damage it in any way before replacing it with the new one.
5. Tighten lugnuts using a suitable wrench, being sure not to over-tighten them as this may cause damage to both hub and rim. Once all lugnuts are torqued tightly, replace wheel and tire assembly in vehicle and re-tighten bolts
Conclusion
If you’re ever having trouble finding the right lug nut size for your car, or if you just want to make sure you have enough of them on hand, here is a simple guide that can help. By following this guide, you’ll be able to determine which lug nuts are the right size for your vehicle and have them handy when you need them. Thanks for reading!