I got some used 350z rims and I dinged one up a tad (getting the rim repainted anyway) getting the lug nuts off. The problem is the hole in the rim has so little extra space with the Nissan lug nuts. Rotating them off appears to make rub marks/circles inside the rim holes. I'm just curious how I should go about taking them off so I don't hurt the rims every time I rotate my tires, install new struts, etc.? I'm willing to spend some money if I have to get different lug nuts or some tool to make it safe.

Wrap your lug-nut remover with 3M tape! Works like a charm, you just have to replace it once in a while and make sure that it's not rubbing off.

There's a thin soft sleeve that goes over the socket, not sure where I saw it

thin-wall plastic-coated sockets:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40036
(or use a standard chrome socket.)

the walls on impact sockets are often too thick and I have this problem with a lot of wheels.


you might have to buy some smaller lugnuts as well. I use the Gorilla tuner lug nuts on all of mine..
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

look for a tuner lug remover and... oh i see Matt covered that...


how do you rotate Z wheels

Deep well 1/2" drive sockets should be fine. I have been using them on my impact for years and never had one split or break. They give enough clearance to get the breaker bar away from the rim edge but not too long (i.e. extension) that they pull to one side away from the lug nut. And like someone said, wrap the OD in tape, helps a lot. Save the tire iron for road rage

And I don't see why Z wheels can't be rotated when they have the same tires on all 4. The wider wheels will pull the tire out a little further but the difference shouldn't make for any odd visual differences or steering/handling issues. Correct me if I'm wrong...

They sell these in the store? I have one in town...

I use to have the same problem untill I purchased at Advanced Auto a set of Tuner lug nuts, cost about 25 bucks but I bought a 20 piece set and it came with a long thin keyed socket which no longer touches the lug insert on the rim.

I won't buy anything other than disposable or replaceable items from Harbor Freight any more. They are using uber cheap chinese steel in everything and its becoming a safety issue. My friend was using one of their 3 lb mini-sledges to hammer in some wheel studs from the back side and a chunk of metal chipped off from the hammer and almost took out his dad's eye. I have a mini-sledge that is made in china but from a while back and it has never done anything like that. I think its a recent change in materials and much lower quality control. I will buy brushes, sandpaper, gloves etc from their but no more tools. I was in Northern Tool on saturday after I snagged those rims. Much higher quality brand names but the price goes up on most items as well. You get what you pay for...

I just ordered the Gorilla lugs above. Now I need to know where to get a high quality plastic socket to remove my existing lugs so I can throw them away.

Did you not read my post?

I did. I guess I could try that.

Thanks.

Same here, they come with long-tubular piece that get into the tightest holes. (damn that sounded gay )

................................LOL

Cheap way to do it, since you will only be using it one more time after you get your new lug-nuts...so I don't see the point of wasting money on a socket that you will only be using once.

wouldn't it require some lube to go into tight holes?
friction = bad

hey, whatever it takes to get the job done.












P.S. I am on the floor as I am posting this.

Yours don't self-lube anymore?


Joshua...STFU with the smilies!

Thanks all. Today I used some 3M Painters Tape and wrapped it around the tire iron from the trunk. I safely took all 20 off and put on my new Gorilla lug nuts from Summit Racing. Looks great and now I feel safe taking the bad boys on/off

Thanks again.

Tuner lug remover will do the trick. But if you are running z are you on a staggered set?

Yes. Rears are 8.5s and fronts are 8s.

Ding, ding, ding we got a winner....Hell, you got to use one anyway to tighten the lug with a torque wrench.

excuse me if there is an obvious reason for this....but why? skinnier tires on the front of a FWD car = MORE understeer, no?

Its for looks. Looks sporty. Is .5 inch stagger really going to impact the car that much for understeer?

This car is a daily driver, not a track car.

then i doubt you'll be rotating them?

If same tire size, then ya?

People have posted that they have rotated them. I'm not sure If I'm going to yet. I'll rotate side to side for sure.

why have staggered wheels to have them wider in the rear, if you rotate them? of course if you have $$$ pay the garage to remove the tires and rotate them.

no they are directional. i sure hope u don't rotate side to side. even the stock wheels say to not switch sides.

That's understandable. wasn't trying to pick on you, I've just seen several people doing it and wondered why. thanks!

He was saying that he would rotate front/rear, rear/front...so that would work without taking the tires off...he'd just have staggered in front then.