BarryR

I've never had the painted wheels off of my 2002 coupe. Before I mess anything up I wanted to ask what is the best method of removing the plastic lug nut covers? Do they come off to reveal the "real" lug nuts? Any information would be appreciated.
Thanks!

hotwheels57

They'll come off just like a lug nut. They're threaded. There should be no damage unless they're really stuck on or you use the wrong socket. Once they're off, the metal lug nuts will be exposed beneath. This image is from another lug nut recent post, but it'll give you the idea...

04cad

I hope this is superfluous, but you don't need to tighten them much at all when you reinstall them (no impact gun).

napacruzerc5

I just hand tighten with a socket on the end of a ratchet extension (without the ratchet). BTW if your center cap rattles just put some duct tape on it to tighten the fit.

Junkman2008

Ahhh...good ol' duct tape. Solves a multitude of issues. To bad it doesn't work on the government!

jdmvette

i thought the plastic covers went away by 2002?

didnt they switch to regular chrome lugs at some point?

DeeGee

My 02 has chrome lugs - no covers

mqqn

Hi jdmvette -

They switched to the chrome one-piece lugs at the end of March 2002.

best regards -

mqqn

ukmac

Hi, do you know that you can get plastic chrome covers to replace the original grey ones. I purchased a set last year and they make the standard wheels look so much better(IMO).

jeffgc5

Anyone know where you can get thplastic covers in chrome?
Thanks,
Jeff

mqqn

Hi Jeff -

A forum vendor sells these ....

http://www.pfyc.com/pc/GN1014/GPWHEE...+Lug+Nuts.html

For the same price or less, depending on where you purchase them, you can buy quality Gorilla Nuts from forum vendor Cajundude from Gulf Coast Performance - I bought two sets from Jason and they are NICE.

www.gulfcoastperformance.com

http://www.gulfcoastperformance.com/products.asp?cat=77

best regards-

mqqn

ZO6 Lee

I bought chrome plastic covers from Corvette Central. They do look much better than the original. Finger tight works.

Mr.Bill

My 2002 had chrome steel lug nuts with no plastic covers on them from GM.

4 KRUSIN

The first mod I did to my car was to replace the plastic covered lugs with proper chrome ones. They were cheaper then the chrome plastic covers.

Dave

JohnTheStigGalt

I got my chrome covers from Corvettes of Houston (also a forum vendor). When I had new tires put on, the shop CRANKED them down (probably with an impact wrench) and broke a couple. Hand tighten only...

I'm thinking of switching to Gorilla locks, but I think I'd want a lock on every wheel...

Junkman2008

That's the way they come, unless you don't want wheel locks.

JohnTheStigGalt

You're right, I should have said "lock on every lug". Looking at Jason's site above, he shows:

"Gorilla Chrome Lock Set Details
Looking for just the locks? Here ya go!
Price: $14.99"

and

"Gorilla Chrome Lug Nuts/Locks Combo Details
Gorilla Lug Nuts are renowned within the industry for their outstanding quality and unparalleled finish. Triple plated chrome!
Price: $39.95"

I presume the $14.99 would be just 4 lock nuts, while the $39.99 would be 4 lock nuts and 16 regular nuts, whereas I'd want 20 lock nuts (matching of course)... I know it's overkill, but I'm about to move to Italy, and hoping to add that little bit of extra deterrence...

hotwheels57

DISCOUNT TIRE also sells the GORILLA lugs/locking nuts.
You can buy a "system" with all locking lug nuts, or one locking lug nut per wheel, or no locking lug nuts at all.

Junkman2008

If you buy them like that, whatever you do, don't loose the 5 keys! You do realize that you will have 5 keys if you do this, right?

hotwheels57

If you buy a GORILLA "system" with all lug nuts being locking, there will be one key. It's still a good idea to order a spare key...key in case.