American Racing Lug Nuts RUST in 1 Week

[NDanecker]

Is this normal?



I purchased a complete set of tires and rims from Rickson Wheel. I don't believe they are at fault at all here as they don't manufacturer the lugs nuts - American Racing does. Plus Rickson has been nothing but excellent to me so can't complain to them. But what is up with these wheel nuts?



They have only been on the truck for a little over 1 week with only 1 trip upstate with them. I am curious what they'll look like in 6 months?

 

[p-Bar]

Typical, I think all this stuff is made in China. We need someone to manufacture some American stainless steel. That would solve the problem.

 

[RDHamill]

Maybe if we really had some nickel in the chrome today. I feel for you, it's a pain .

 

[navyramman]

I got the same thing on my lug nuts, I am just going to have them rechromed this summer,

 

[JKloppe]

For as much as chrome lug nuts cost, I take the time and put them on by hand, and use torque wrench. They last for years with the help from steel wool.



It is obvious that a impact was used on your nutz. If a tire shop puts them on for you ask them to not use an impact, it worked for me.

 

[salerno]

If you want a lug nut that will never rust try Mcgard. McGard Innovative Security Products these babies never rust triple chrome plated expensive but worth every penny





MIKE

 

[jelag]

Stainless fasteners are not as hard or durable as a good steel fasteners... when stainless is specified, its usually a fastener that is larger than the same load bearing steel fastener... .

What you get with stainless is the resistance to rust... .

You can see the marks from the impact gun on these nuts... . they need to be run on by hand and a torque wrench as mentioned above..... also because of the over flow of the chrome into the nut its advisable to use some lubricant or anti-seaze on the threads... if the chrome on the inside of the nut flakes off it will jamb the threads and destroy the stud as the nuts removed...

If you take your lug nuts to a chrome plater who can put on a hard chrome instead of shiny chrome... . it won't look quite as nice but will be much more functional...

 

[NDanecker]

Stainless fasteners are not as hard or durable as a good steel fasteners... when stainless is specified, its usually a fastener that is larger than the same load bearing steel fastener... .



What you get with stainless is the resistance to rust... .



You can see the marks from the impact gun on these nuts... . they need to be run on by hand and a torque wrench as mentioned above..... also because of the over flow of the chrome into the nut its advisable to use some lubricant or anti-seaze on the threads... if the chrome on the inside of the nut flakes off it will jamb the threads and destroy the stud as the nuts removed...



If you take your lug nuts to a chrome plater who can put on a hard chrome instead of shiny chrome... . it won't look quite as nice but will be much more functional...

All good advice! Thanks!



Yes I used an impact on these nuts when I installed them. I can't imagine doing it any other way in the temperature it was when I installed them - was very cold!!!!! But seeing I'll be replacing them in the near future I've just learned a $ lesson.



They seem to be steel with chrome plating although extremely very THIN chrome plating.



I bet the comment about being made in China is right on target. Sad but true.

 

[DodgeWarlock]

After installing and torqueing them, use Turtle Wax paste wax on them. I had a set of cheap chrome wheels that started to rust. I washed them and waxed them and the rust did not progress. I just rewax whenever I pull them off. It only takes a few minutes and it's cheap. I haven't driven the truck in 4yrs and the wheels still have not started rusting again. Hope it helps.

 

[SBettencourt]

As Mike posted, get the McGard lug nuts if at all possible and throw out that other junk. They are worth it if you don't want rusty nuts! I have had them on 3 different vehicles so far without an issue.

 

[Semicrazy]

Mine are doing the same thing after only having my KMC Hoss wheels on for 4 months!



And it is not where the impact touches the lugnut as they are sunken into the wheel... it is only the end/head that you can see and they are covered in rust.



I see the McGard go for around 30 bucks per 8, PN 64806.





Now I just need to figure our what to do about the center hub covers... they are chromed plastic and I thought great I do not have to worry about these rusting. Wrong#@$%! Instead all the chrome is peeling off of them. 4 months :{



Anybody know if I measure the opening of the center of rim if I could just use stainless caps from some other company? The Eagle Alloy Stainless caps I had on my last rims never gave me a problem?