This question is so basic im not sure if i should even post it....

I just noticed my front left tire has a lug nut missing, and the screw is mildly rusted, I think that a small chuck of the screw corroded off.

Anyways, I have 4/5 lugnuts on that tire right now.
1. Is this safe for the time being?
2. Can I buy one lugnut that somewhat matches? Or am I going to buy 20 to match em up?

 

are they chrome lugs? you can buy them from the dearl..like 1.50 each i think..i noe someone driving with 3 lugs..so you dont really need to worry about it..ur safe.

 

better safe than sorry. might as well replace your lug too, they're only $1.xx at autozone.

 

You can replace the "lug"? is this the threaded screw part the lug nut goes on? I have not explored that area but my impression was it is welded to the rotor. Its a chrome lugnut.

 

No. The studs, which the lug nut is screwed onto to hold the wheel to the hub. You can hit then out with a hammer. you will have to remove your rotor. I once snapped a stud, being stupid. You might have to heat them a bit, but don't go crazy with heat. I would relace the lug with a stock one from the dealer. If you don't have stock lugs and can't find a match, then spend the extra money and replace all of them. Better to have one size than many different sizes.

 

when i replace the studs, i take the hub off and use a big bench vice that can open the jaws 5 - 6 inches. i use a large size socket that will fit over the back side (non threaded) of the lug (maybe 30 mm or 1 1/4 inch) and put the socket and rotor into the vice so i have to jaws of the vice touching the socket and the threaded end of the stud and close the jaws of the vice. the vice then acts like a press.

to put a new stud in, i just lube the hole in the hub and use a flat sided nut and screw it in.