Lug Nut Socket
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I don't think there is a best one. You need formal contact on each edge with a socket in order to tighten or losen the bolts, so keeping them pretty isn't really going to work assuming you want the bolts torqued properly. Someone else might have a better idea but I've never seen anything in a tire shop yet.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
You might consider getting some good Gorilla brand lug nuts and a good 6-point socket. Just the common suggestion.
Anyway, here's an older thread and I put in 2 links to older threads one of which talks about non marring socket options:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-question.html
Anyway, here's an older thread and I put in 2 links to older threads one of which talks about non marring socket options:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-question.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 827
From: FORT LAUDERDALE FL
i picked up a very cheap set (4) of deep metric sockets with nylon linings. made for this very reason. where? of all places the Harbor Freight store. $12 i think. there is your solution.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
From: . [Rotorhead] "You seem to be a douche. What I'm getting at is just STFU" [/Rotorhead]
St. Jude Donor '06 & '09 & '11
I always wrap a piece of blue painter's masking tape around the contact points of the lug nuts. It usually gets beat up, but I don't have any scars on the chrome, either.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 2
From: The Great Pacific Northwest...........I carry a gun cause a cops too heavy.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,015
Likes: 2,709
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Factory lug nuts seem to hold up pretty well for me, we switch tires every spring/fall (summer/AS) plus the occasional brake flush and such, and check the torque each month. Use a normal 6 pt socket. Our 2006 had 3 1/2 years/44,000 miles, nuts still looked good to me. But we don't put our car in shows, that might be a different story.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: Martinez California
Here is what I use. I bought it when I had my Porsche and it works on my Grand Sport.
http://www.boothedesign.com/assets/socket_lg.jpg
http://www.boothedesign.com/assets/socket_lg.jpg
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 49
From: Sun Devil Country
Here is what I use. I bought it when I had my Porsche and it works on my Grand Sport.
http://www.boothedesign.com/assets/socket_lg.jpg
http://www.boothedesign.com/assets/socket_lg.jpg
Me too. 
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I don't like nylon coated sockets. I still prefer Craftsman socket sets. I wouldn't be worried about marring the lug nuts in the first place. If they're quality lug nuts the chrome plating should withstand normal use. IMO use a decent socket and simply exercise a little care when removing the lug nuts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
While never used these myself, recall seeing a setup called Met Wrench, where the socket's are of a design that grab's the nut's only on the flat's and wont round them. Pretty sure Home Depot sell's some like this too. I swap out track tire's quite often with OEM capped nut's using long handled wrenches/12 point socket's with gentle action, and still look nearly new. Think avoiding impact shock has something to do with it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 8
From: Clearwater Florida
I've not had my wheels off yet. Am I to believemm that the factory lug nuts are those cheapie chrome capped nuts like my 2002 FireBird came with?
