The lug nuts bear a
side comment. While the factory lug nuts have the more
appealing finish of the stainless-steel cladding on the nut, they
have a tendency to come apart at the most inopportune times.
When they do, the nut underneath is a different size from the lug
wrench. If the cladding happens to get lost, you will find
getting the lug nut off requires using a socket of the correct size
- something you might not have with you on the trail.
After having this
problem a couple times, I purchased some lug nuts at Wal*Mart and
replaced my factory nuts. I figured the solid nut would be
better and I would not have any more problems with lug nuts... All was well until
I was on the
trail and blew out a sidewall. You guessed it - the factory
lug wrench is a different size... Fortunately, I had brought
along my tools and I barely missed a beat. But it got my
attention because I don't always carry my tools.
When I was
swapping
tops and doing all the touch-up work, I took a look at the lugs.
They were trashed. Every time I had new tires put on and every
time I rotated them, an impact wrench was used. I like them
for the speed and ease, but they destroy things like lug nuts.
So next time I go to the tire store I expect not to be very popular
because the impact wrench will not touch my wheels again. As a
matter of fact, I will probably just bring the wheels. That
way there's nothing to discuss. No lugs, no wrench. Period.
I bought the McGard
lugs because the wheel and tire shop I worked in used them with good
results. I know there are probably better ones out there but
these should be fine, nearly double the cost of the Wal*Mart ones,
but perhaps a lot better, and best of all, they're the same size as
the factory ones (3/4" hex nut, 1/2-20 thread).
As
before, I purchased six packages (24 lug nuts) to provide
two spares
that I attach to the spare tire so that they are handy, and so that
the spare has a finished appearance. The part number is 64010
which gets you the 1/2-20 bulge nuts with a 3/4" hex head.
Note this matches the factory lug nuts and will allow the use of the
factory lug wrench.
McGard lug nuts are guaranteed for life.
McGard lug nuts are designed to last for life. They're triple nickel
chrome plated for lasting beauty, and are made of restricted
chemistry steel for structural integrity. All McGard lug nuts are
through-hardened and tempered, reaching the depth of hardness needed
for their unsurpassed level of safety (unlike case-hardening, which
is only a surface treatment). McGard lug nuts also offer a lifetime
guarantee against rust! What more could you ask for?
Bulge lug nuts have an extended
seating surface that is designed to match the wider seating surface
used on some aluminum wheels.
McGard employs the same innovative
design and high quality standards used in the production of their
wheel locks in the manufacture of chrome plated lug nuts. The
in-house plating technology and experienced personnel are second to
none in the industry. These capabilities enable McGard to produce
superior quality lug nuts that are strong, safe, durable and exceed
typical corrosion resistance standards. They're so durable in fact
that they are guaranteed for life not to rust, chip, or peel!
McGard is the only manufacturer to
offer 8 different key hex sizes to match the vehicle's original
equipment lug wrench. The user will appreciate this important
feature when they have to change a flat along the roadside.
The McGard process includes three
layers of nickel and one layer of microporous chrome. The first
layer of nickel is for corrosion resistance; the second layer of
nickel is for luster and the third nickel layer interacts with the
microporous chrome layer to disperse nature's corrosive action
(rust)
McGard usees only restricted
chemistry steel, made in the United States specifically for McGard.
These special standards insure the structural integrity of each and
every full machined McGard piece. Every lug nut is through-hardened
and tempered, reaching the depth of hardness needed for its
unsurpassed level of safety (unlike case hardening which is only a
surface treatment).
Core integrity and precision
machining provide the highest strength in the industry. All McGard
locks and lug nuts meet or exceed the highest OEM proof load
standards, 135,000 to 160,000 PSI.
McGard's standard for
concentricity of the bearing surface to the pitch diameter is 30%
more precise than OEM standards. This insures even distribution of
the clamp load and uniform seating of the lock to the wheel.
