Lug Nut Caps
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Joined: Sep 2013
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Lug Nut Caps
Ever since I bought new tires on my '02, I have been losing the plastic lug nut caps. A few have come off while driving and several others were close to coming off.
The Chevy dealer parts man tells me that when the tires were installed they over tightened the plastic caps and ruined them. I guess this could have happened, but when I first got my Chevy pickup I didn't know they were plastic and I over tightened several before I figured it out. Now I put them on finger tight and every one as stayed on (on the truck).
Is there something I can do to keep the caps from coming loose, or should I just replace all of them?
The Chevy dealer parts man tells me that when the tires were installed they over tightened the plastic caps and ruined them. I guess this could have happened, but when I first got my Chevy pickup I didn't know they were plastic and I over tightened several before I figured it out. Now I put them on finger tight and every one as stayed on (on the truck).
Is there something I can do to keep the caps from coming loose, or should I just replace all of them?
"My Dad's a TV Repairman"
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 471
Likes: 153
From: San Diego
Ever since I bought new tires on my '02, I have been losing the plastic lug nut caps. A few have come off while driving and several others were close to coming off.
The Chevy dealer parts man tells me that when the tires were installed they over tightened the plastic caps and ruined them. I guess this could have happened, but when I first got my Chevy pickup I didn't know they were plastic and I over tightened several before I figured it out. Now I put them on finger tight and every one as stayed on (on the truck).
Is there something I can do to keep the caps from coming loose, or should I just replace all of them?
The Chevy dealer parts man tells me that when the tires were installed they over tightened the plastic caps and ruined them. I guess this could have happened, but when I first got my Chevy pickup I didn't know they were plastic and I over tightened several before I figured it out. Now I put them on finger tight and every one as stayed on (on the truck).
Is there something I can do to keep the caps from coming loose, or should I just replace all of them?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corvette-C4-C5-Chrome-Lug-Nuts-17-18-Wheels-Rims-NEW-/350339301722?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ACorvette&hash=item5191d9815a&vxp=mtr
...also available in black.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I tighten hand tight and then just a little bit more (maybe 10°). Never had one come off.
I have had some that the previous owner and/or mechanic had overtightened and split the caps. I put a very small amount of clear RTV on the threads and hand tightened them (although they wouldn't hold hand tight without slipping) so it was just snug. Never lost any of the broken ones either. These were a chrome set of caps, and in the recess of the wheels you can not see that the cap is split.
Good luck.
I have had some that the previous owner and/or mechanic had overtightened and split the caps. I put a very small amount of clear RTV on the threads and hand tightened them (although they wouldn't hold hand tight without slipping) so it was just snug. Never lost any of the broken ones either. These were a chrome set of caps, and in the recess of the wheels you can not see that the cap is split.
Good luck.
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Don't even bother- Just buy a set of nice, 1 piece lug nuts like these- They look 100% better- I love mine, and sleep better knowing my caps won't go missing again... Plenty of vendors have them here, and on the 'bay...
Corvette C4 C5 Chrome Lug Nuts 17 18 Wheels Rims New | eBay
...also available in black.
Corvette C4 C5 Chrome Lug Nuts 17 18 Wheels Rims New | eBay
...also available in black.
They will look much better than the stock plastic caps.But, I have run the plastic caps before and hand tighten them first, then tighten a little bit more using a socket. Never had one come off or split.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,301
Likes: 199
From: Valencia CA
I tighten hand tight and then just a little bit more (maybe 10°). Never had one come off.
I have had some that the previous owner and/or mechanic had overtightened and split the caps. I put a very small amount of clear RTV on the threads and hand tightened them (although they wouldn't hold hand tight without slipping) so it was just snug. Never lost any of the broken ones either. These were a chrome set of caps, and in the recess of the wheels you can not see that the cap is split.
Good luck.
I have had some that the previous owner and/or mechanic had overtightened and split the caps. I put a very small amount of clear RTV on the threads and hand tightened them (although they wouldn't hold hand tight without slipping) so it was just snug. Never lost any of the broken ones either. These were a chrome set of caps, and in the recess of the wheels you can not see that the cap is split.
Good luck.
FYI, purchased my chrome caps from West Coast Corvettes.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,150
Likes: 4,165
From: Kannapolis NC
Throw them away and buy a nice set of 20 chrome nuts for about $25, you'll never have to worry about them again. And, you only have to unscrew 5 nuts per wheel, not 5 caps and 5 nuts. The chrome won't fade in the sun like the plastic ones, either.
