The best set of tuner lugs?

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 9:50 pm

Id like to discuss which lugs are the best deal.

Ive heard of many problems with the Kyokugans (fading, many broken keys etc.) so those are out of the question.

The McGard splinedrives in black look really good, and can be had for 85 shipped. It seems like the set includes 4 locks a key and 16 spline drive which is a greay deal.

Even if you dont have experience post any you know of with 12 x 1.25 and slim enough to fit aftermarket wheels.

mTk · Post by **mTk** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 9:53 pm

I have had no problems with my gorilla lugs.

MK

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 9:57 pm

Hmm, gorrila offers both hex drive and spline drive!
They call the tuner lugs "S/D" or small diameter
http://www.gorilla-auto.com/pdfs/part1.pdf

Looks like kit 21124ht is a 20 lug with key in the S/D.

MTK: Are yours the S/D? If so what color?

boostjunkie · Post by **boostjunkie** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 9:58 pm

The only tuner lugs I've had experience with were the ones that came with my car. They absolutely sucked. I'm not sure of the brand but they were black open-ended lugs. Try to stay clear of the open-ended ones . . .

I spent three whole days with a set of stripped nut cutting tools, a breaker bar, and a 3/8" ratchet to get them loose as they seized up on the hub bolts. Apparently, the abnormally high precipitation we've been getting around here accelerated the rusting and subsequent seizing of the lugs to the bolts since they were open-ended.

I ended up with a sprained wrist after that ordeal

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 10:03 pm

How are Muteki's?
How are Zenki's?

Do you think internal hex or spline drive is better?

Found these specs
Zenki: each; .75 ounces set of 20; 15 ounces
Kyokugen: each; .88 ounces set of 20; 17.6 ounces
Tuner Acorn: each; 1.6 ounces set of 20; 32 ounces
Gorilla Lugs: each; 1.18 ounces set of 20; 23.5 ounces
McGuard Lugs: each; 2.5 ounces set of 20; 35.5 ounces

Zenki's in black supposedly faid to bronze in a short time
Supposedly Subaru uses McGard wheel locks when you get them through the dealership

Check this out, pretty cool looking! http://tishandtighe.20m.com/wrx/pwhl4.jpg Those are RAYS lugs

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 10:38 pm

What are the functional advantages of aftermarket lug nuts over OEM?

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 10:40 pm

Realize that you cant use OEM lugs on many aftermarket wheels. The seat of the lug can be different angle, the seat isnt long enough (so the corners of the hex dig into the wheel) and many aftermarket stud "holes" are too small to fit even a thin walled 19mm.

Otherwise they are lighter and come in cool shapes/colors. Locking as well.

mTk · Post by **mTk** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 10:40 pm

Ciper: nope, mine are open ended, and just chrome.

MK

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 10:41 pm

Oh, I dont want open ended or chrome! I was asking to see if they had changed color.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 10:55 pm

ciper - Thanks, I see... wouldn't you then need lug nuts to match the wheels, at least on the seat angle and length issue?

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 10:57 pm

vrg3: Thats what tuner lugs are

One of my wheel choices doesnt need the narrow lugs but does need the larger faced lug. The other needs large face and narrow. Plus many have a locking nut available or use a key that is harder to find.

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 10:58 pm

ciper - Oh, theres a "universal" aftermarket seat design that's different from Subaru OEM?

evolutionmovement · Post by **evolutionmovement** » Sat Jan 10, 2004 11:19 pm

I have closed ended Gorillas that came with my wheels from Tire Rack. No problems at all in over 5 yrs. use and more times on and off than I'd like. They are hex drive except for the one lock. You might be able to see them a little in the picture I posted of my external air intake. But they are also chrome, which doesn't matter to me as they pretty much hide inside the wheel.

Steve

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 6:21 am

Not exactly universal but some wheels have a larger face for the seat and a different angle. I have seen some that look like 45 and some that look more like 60.

Most often though (at least in the subaru world) the need arrises from too narrow of a spot to put the wrench.

Some wheels also have a valley for the lug that widens up but at the bottom is small enough so that the wrench starts to come off. When the lugs are first threaded the wrench is fully engauged, once you get them tight only have of the lug is inside the wrench!

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 7:06 am

Wow... I would have thought aftermarket wheel manufacturers would make their wheels more flexible (not literally of course

)... But I guess they just make one wheel and slightly modify it for each car. Makes sense.

45 and 60 degrees are very different! How come you can use tuner lug nuts on stock wheels?

ciper · Post by **ciper** » Sun Jan 11, 2004 8:26 pm

You know, I always thought of tuner lugs as being lightweight and taking smaller keys and such. Now I have no idea exactly what it means! I think that "tuner lugs" now days can almost mean anything after doing many google.

THAWA · Post by **THAWA** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 1:07 am

anybody tried mcgard splinedrives? I can't seem to find anything bad about them on nasioc

93Leg-c · Post by **93Leg-c** » Sat Aug 07, 2004 3:08 am

Okay, I'm new to the tuner lug world so I need some help. I'll be installing WRX rims on my car and I want to make sure I've got the right tuner lugs. Any help will be appreciated.

We use the 12mm X 1.25" lug, right?

Does the spline or hex style have an advantage over the other? Or is it just style and personal taste?

Is the chrome finish vs. stainless steel lugs just a personal choice or is there advantage of one over the other?

Looking at the Gorilla catalog, am I seeing it right that the locking lug looks just like the non-locking lugs or is it like other locking lugs I've seen where the groove of the special key can be seen on the top of the lug itself?

And are the Gorilla lugs the best or is it just Gorilla's advertising?

Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

(Should this have been a different thread or was it okay for me to post this here?

THAWA · Post by **THAWA** » Sat Aug 07, 2004 3:36 am

honestly i dont think you need tuner lugs for wrx wheels, but hey, looks who's talking

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The best set of tuner lugs?

The best set of tuner lugs?