2014 C7 Lug Nuts Failed
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 96
From: Asheville NC
Hi,
I went with these lug nuts and wrench.
I went with these lug nuts and wrench.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,015
Likes: 2,709
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Are you using a 12 point socket? If yes, try one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Inch-Impa...mm+long+socket
I wish I bought the set:
https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Impact-Dr...mm+long+socket
https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Inch-Impa...mm+long+socket
I wish I bought the set:
https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Impact-Dr...mm+long+socket
Is that correct?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 772
Likes: 164
From: Chicagoland
I would say that makes sense based on my lug nut sockets and the several I have seen. But at least it’s a 6 point socket and not a 12 point
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,982
Likes: 12,383
From: NE South Carolina
This is what I have used since my C6. It has a hard plastic 6 point socket inside and has lasted since 2007.
Never needed protection on the outside as I use a 1/2 inch breaker bar to remove them and torque wrench to install. If I did, would just wrap with electrical tape.
Plastic Lined Lug Wrench. Bought years ago, last I saw was on a Porsche accessory website.
Last edited by JerryU; Dec 10, 2017 at 02:11 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
McGard's 84538. These are black chrome, as I have the satin black wheels and wanted black lugs. The important thing to note is they are M12 X 1.5 lug nuts. The kit comes with a lock lug for each wheel and the key. McGard 84537 for chrome.
Chrome kit:https://www.amazon.com/McGard-84537-...+kit+M12+X+1.5
Black kit:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Non-marring socket:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Mike
Chrome kit:https://www.amazon.com/McGard-84537-...+kit+M12+X+1.5
Black kit:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Non-marring socket:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Mike
I had no idea the OEMs were two-piece, so I just ordered the non-bulge style.
Last edited by Foosh; Dec 10, 2017 at 02:06 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,055
Likes: 9,817
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The C4 Corvette at the time had a different lug nut that had a plastic cover that was unscrewed before you used a wrench on the nut. This style nut was dropped for the 97, 98 and 99 model years and then came back for the 00, 01 and 02 model years. That was the best lug nut you could put on a Vette, they were tough and held up to hundreds of removals and installs with impact tools. I used those on my track cars up through 2014.
The nuts on my 2015 Z are starting to round off due to many removals when I am prepping for the track. Yes, I use impact tools to take them off as I am not going to use a hand tool. I suspect the caps will start to break loose within the next year.
Bill
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,982
Likes: 12,383
From: NE South Carolina
Most of the ones that are sold by Harbor Freight and others can be and the outer plastic does help protect the wheel BUT Does Nothing for the sides on the lug nut, some do have an insert that only helps the top! Have checked with a magnet and the pretty colors are steel!
Last edited by JerryU; Dec 10, 2017 at 04:04 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,146
Likes: 1,940
From: Hagerstown MD
St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,146
Likes: 1,940
From: Hagerstown MD
St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
That is the GM standard lug nut and that is a typical failure on that lug nut. Those lug nuts have been used on GM products since at least the mid 80s. My first experience with them was with an 86 Oldsmobile. I changed tires twice per year to go from summer tires to snow tires and didn't have an impact wrench at the time. The caps would come off the nuts and leave you with a non standard nut size (not metric, not english).
The C4 Corvette at the time had a different lug nut that had a plastic cover that was unscrewed before you used a wrench on the nut. This style nut was dropped for the 97, 98 and 99 model years and then came back for the 00, 01 and 02 model years. That was the best lug nut you could put on a Vette, they were tough and held up to hundreds of removals and installs with impact tools. I used those on my track cars up through 2014.
The nuts on my 2015 Z are starting to round off due to many removals when I am prepping for the track. Yes, I use impact tools to take them off as I am not going to use a hand tool. I suspect the caps will start to break loose within the next year.
Bill
The C4 Corvette at the time had a different lug nut that had a plastic cover that was unscrewed before you used a wrench on the nut. This style nut was dropped for the 97, 98 and 99 model years and then came back for the 00, 01 and 02 model years. That was the best lug nut you could put on a Vette, they were tough and held up to hundreds of removals and installs with impact tools. I used those on my track cars up through 2014.
The nuts on my 2015 Z are starting to round off due to many removals when I am prepping for the track. Yes, I use impact tools to take them off as I am not going to use a hand tool. I suspect the caps will start to break loose within the next year.
Bill
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
I think my question got lost above.
Is there any reason to order the McGard standard vs. "bulge" style or is it just personal preference? Both are conical M12 x 1.5.
Is there any reason to order the McGard standard vs. "bulge" style or is it just personal preference? Both are conical M12 x 1.5.
Last edited by Foosh; Dec 10, 2017 at 04:26 PM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 686
Likes: 239
From: Houston TX
Wow I did not know this and boy would I be pissed if I had one fail when swapping out brake pads for a track day, which I do quite often. I like the black ones and that they sell them in a four wheel, 5 lug kit. Seems like an inexpensive upgrade for the piece of mind.
I have the same question as Foosh as to why there are two styles?
I'm also curious if the head is the same 19mm as the stock ones?
I have the same question as Foosh as to why there are two styles?
I'm also curious if the head is the same 19mm as the stock ones?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
It looks like the bulge heads are 19mm (3/4), and the standard are 13/16. Bulge are also a little shorter (1.45 vs. 1.5).
The problem I have w/ the McGard 5-lug, kits are that there is a lock for each wheel and 4 lugs. I hate wheel, lug/locks and have no need for them, so I'd have to order five, 4-lug packages at higher cost.
The problem I have w/ the McGard 5-lug, kits are that there is a lock for each wheel and 4 lugs. I hate wheel, lug/locks and have no need for them, so I'd have to order five, 4-lug packages at higher cost.
Last edited by Foosh; Dec 10, 2017 at 06:25 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 97,155
Likes: 1,471
From: Calgary, AB. There's a reason why white was the only color offered on every year Corvette. Proud Canadian German Jamaican!
St. Jude Donor '09, '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
been swapping mine out twice a year for four years now, more than that if you count how many times I've put on different tires....no failure here. 
Last edited by themonk; Dec 10, 2017 at 06:36 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 787
Likes: 127
From: Connecticut
I believe there are two things that cause this issue to happen .. impact guns and 12 point sockets. Stay away from both and I think you're good with GM lugs. At least I have been so far with removing my wheels 5 or 6 times a year (HPDEs to switch pads).
p.s.- Although I bought this socket just for my C7 so I wouldn't ding my black wheels (breaker bar to remove and torque to tighten), I have used it several times for wheels on other cars with my impact with no issues.
Last edited by L82Brake; Dec 10, 2017 at 07:54 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 686
From: SUFFIELD CONNECTICUT
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 149
From: Anaheim California
McGard's 84538. These are black chrome, as I have the satin black wheels and wanted black lugs. The important thing to note is they are M12 X 1.5 lug nuts. The kit comes with a lock lug for each wheel and the key. McGard 84537 for chrome.
Chrome kit:https://www.amazon.com/McGard-84537-...+kit+M12+X+1.5
Black kit:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Non-marring socket:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Mike
Chrome kit:https://www.amazon.com/McGard-84537-...+kit+M12+X+1.5
Black kit:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Non-marring socket:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Mike
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
I swap wheels/tires twice a year, and have never closely examined mine, which remain completely unblemished. However, I never use air tools, just a breaker bar, 6-point, deep socket, and a torque wrench.
Last edited by Foosh; Dec 10, 2017 at 11:33 PM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 420
Likes: 279
From: Aledo, TX
I've swapped out my wheels a few times and didn't know this could be an issue. Was washing my car last month and noticed one of the lug nuts felt a little loose. Took it to my dealership to have it tightened but I'm guessing that it was just the outer shell coming loose and not the actual lug nut. Will have the McGard lug nuts I just ordered installed when I take the car out of winter hibernation. Thanks to the OP for bringing this issue up. Love this forum.