Lug nuts are terrible. Change them while you can.

This is one of those threads that I started on the dark side that I definitely need over here. It will save you a lot of headache.....

I went outside one day last November to work on the SS and found that two of my lug nuts were stripped.
After you look at these pictures you will understand why you need to order some new lug nuts....

First let me show you a picture of the lug nut up close and outline why it needs to be thrown in the trash.

Now lets take a look at how hard it is to drill these lugs and the studs out with the wheel attached. What you have to go is find a 1/2 Inch drive socket that will drive over the stripped lug and then find a drill bit that will fit into the 1/2 square hole in the end of the socket.... This will be your drill bit guide. It will keep the bit from wandering and it will keep it centered..

When you start drilling you are going to want to keep the bit lubed also. And keep the shavings cleaned out of the socket and bit. It will make a serious pile of shaving wen you do this....

Here are the pics of the lug nuts after you drill thru them....

Here is the view of what you will have left of the wheel studs once your done drilling the lugs off.

Now beat the studs thru the back side of the hub and run grab some new ones. The exact part number from Dorman is 610-378. Line the splines up and grab you a good lug nut and some type of spacer washer. Then take an impact gun and tighten the lug down and pull the spines into the hub. This will seat the new lug up tight...

Now that you have replaced the lug studs its time to go order you some real lug nuts that you cant strip. All I did was lean my ratchet over just a few degrees and the lugs stripped. I was using one of those 6-point tire cool sockets and I didn't even think twice about using it. Boy was I wrong. I know the vendors on the site have lug kits so give them a shout and see what they have to offer. I went with this kit because it has a special tool that slips deeeeeeep over the nut and basically you can strip it...

Here are some pictures of the special socket and the lug nuts.

Here is what it all looks like when your done and I even slid the special tool over the lug nut to show how long it was and how much better it is...

I left the lug nut part numbers off. I just mentioned to check with the site vendors to see what they offered. I remember one of them offering lug nut kits.

Longer studs?? I don't. But maybe using the Dorman part number you can find them.

How much longer do you need them?

I got my lug nuts from summit racing. They are steel.

Quote from MACAWS

Thanks Rab

I prefer steel - they don't look as nice but I think they are stronger and have less issues when used on steel studs

That would be my thought as well.

Quote from dangerdarrell

So, do I need to change the studs now or will just new lug nuts work for the time being? I ask because I need to get everything ready in time for MV and I have very limited time to get everything done. Have to wait until I get back before I can paint my calipers so I thought I would change the studs at that time.

No. The studs are fine. You just need to change the lug nuts. They suck. Let me find my Summit Racing part number. I will post it in a few minutes.

INewton was just asking if I knew of a longer stud. He may be adding a spacer or something to his.

We just need new lugnuts.