Lock Nuts - Why Buy Expensive Ones? Whats The Difference?

[some_cs_student]

Hi,

Just another curiosity question, whats the difference between buying some fairly cheap lock nuts, for example spending $60 at Tyrepower or similar.

And spending two hundred dollars on Rays Dura Nuts or another expensive lock nuts.

I assume its more than just the way the nuts look, but whats the difference? Is it related to protecting the wheel from been stolen?

Regards,

Gareth

[Spunky Munky]

matie,

beside the fact that they do look better. theres much more to it - they actually are more heavy duty, last longer and will give you peace of mind that they will bolt on steadily and will not fail.

put it this way, when you and your loved ones are in the car, do you want to go the mile to make sure their safety is assured or save some money and theres a possibilty somethine unwanted may happen?

[Ronin 09]

you have got to be kidding me - that's not true at all.

the ones you get from tyre power are just fine.

the bolts only locate the wheel onto the hub. the hub is where all the load on the wheel goes NOT the wheel nuts, not the wheel studs.

the Rays ones are light, but i'm sure you can find a better place to lighten your wallet!!!

oh and any wheel thief can take the wheel regardless of what type of locker you have. all it takes is a chisel and hammer.

save yourself the $140 change, or give it to me and I'll spend it.

[snappy_]

I've actually had problems with buying the el cheapo wheel nuts from ebay and other top tyres stores, and found that they aren't as solid as they should be cause the fact i've rounded the insides of them alot, and been replacing them all the time.

And also with the lug nut key that they come with, get rounded pretty easily.

thats just my 2c.

-Tom

[Ronin 09]

hang on a sec are we talking about the same thing??

I'm talking about the set of 4 locking nuts that come with a key to stop theft.

if you're talking about all the bolts that hold a wheel on - what is wrong with the factroy nissan ones??

[Kaido_RR]

hang on a sec are we talking about the same thing??

I'm talking about the set of 4 locking nuts that come with a key to stop theft.

if you're talking about all the bolts that hold a wheel on - what is wrong with the factroy nissan ones??

because they dont fit with nismo lm gt2 rims

[Nolimdien]

Locking nuts will help again theft just as much as any other lock. But, if they really, really want it, then it's breakable. I would get it on mine anyway just for that reason if I had expensive/high chance of theft sort of wheels. I've have my cars messed with too much back home so I am a little protective now.

[HotPlates]

Hi,

Just another curiosity question, whats the difference between buying some fairly cheap lock nuts, for example spending $60 at Tyrepower or similar.

And spending two hundred dollars on Rays Dura Nuts or another expensive lock nuts.

I assume its more than just the way the nuts look, but whats the difference? Is it related to protecting the wheel from been stolen?

Regards,

Gareth

There is no difference. As others have said, if thieves want it, they will take it no matter what lock nut you have on there. it's just a safety measure for amatuer thieves. But obviously, try not to buy made in China stuff as threads will strip. Try and find something middle of the range. But with the RAYS, you are paying for the name.

[nizmokid]

I Have GT-C's on my R33 and I couldn't get any nuts for the wheels to only one which would fit the tappered holes was the black ray nuts which I got with the rims!......blue ray ones look cool!

[scathing]

beside the fact that they do look better. theres much more to it - they actually are more heavy duty, last longer

Have you ever owned a set?

There's a reason why RAYS have to provide you with a torque load for their lock nuts, and tell you that you can only ever hand tighten them. Its because they're soft, a lot softer than your regular stainless steel ones. I forgot about that once, and when I took my car to a tyre shop they practically destroyed mine. Since I also change my wheels frequently (I have street and track rims) it means I'm constantly on them, which also reduces their life.

But they are amazingly light. If you're trying to shave off every hundredth at the track, that little big of unsprung weight might make a difference but on the street its all rice.

And in some cases, like the Volk GT-Cs, you have to use a specific set of nuts to make them fit.

[HackerX]

I bought a (really) cheap set once. And got what I paid for

The steel basically melted like butter after a few times taking the wheels off.

But that's only my experience with those particular ones.

[95SKY]

I personally think there not that great i had a set that came with my ssr's and i lost the key for them, there so easy to remove with no key its not funny, so i dont see the point in having them at all, but thats my opion?

[GTAAAH]

All our wheel nuts have been around $15 from beaurepaires or goodyear, and we haven't had any problems. They might be cheaper material but, it's not such a problem if you don't overtighten them. Just don't use the impact gun on them and don't use too much leverage and they'll be fine

[eron]

The main difference between the rays and the other brands of lock nuts, is the weight. It's alot lighter than your other nuts. So reduction of unsprung weight is the main focus here.

[Ronin 09]

The main difference between the rays and the other brands of lock nuts, is the weight. It's alot lighter than your other nuts. So reduction of unsprung weight is the main focus here.

you think it makes a difference? hah!

unless you have a stripped out racer with lightweight rims, alloy hat rotors, etc etc, the "lighter" nuts mean precisely..... DICK. Plus the centrifugal force is fark all as they are so close to the centre of rotation.

kindly deposit the $140 to my account also.

[snappy_]

You do know that some jap wheels have very small lug holes, and only way to fit them is to buy them expensive nuts.

Few months ago i bought workmeisters, but found out later that my nissan lug nuts don't fit in the holes so had to order a set of the goodstuff.

-Tom

[some_cs_student]

Some interesting replies so far, I'll double check what wheels I have on my car in a couple of days, from what I know there just 18inch alloys, nothing too special.

Nothing I'd like to get stolen either obviously so I would be buying some lock nuts if the car didn't come with some.

Thanks for the advice, I might look around for what lock nuts are available and compare the prices....

[predator]

if clearance is a problem, you can get the skinnier ones at any wheel shop for like $3 each..