Miata Mailing List: February 1999, Message #206

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moments wrote:

> "Michael J. McIntyre" wrote:
> >
> > Is it true that aluminum wheels require aluminum lug nuts and
> > that steel wheels require steel lug nuts? If so, why? (I have
> > steel wheels for snows and aluminum for regular).
>
> Aluminum is neither very dense nor usually very hard.  I would not
> want aluminum lug nuts under any conditions, for fear of galling or of
> the threads stripping out of them or the hexes rounding off when
> properly torqued to spec of 80 ft-lbs.  Also, they would quickly
> acquire a marred external surface, ruining their appearance.  IMHO,
> you want steel lug nuts (preferably plated) under all conditions, no
> matter what the wheel alloy.  I don't believe I've ever seen aluminum
> lug nuts, either as original equipment or available for sale.
>

Mike

I have been thinking about this and I'm wondering if you don't have your
concepts confused.  With some aluminum wheels there is a need for special
lugnuts.  These are not aluminum nuts.  The difference is in the seat
shape of the nuts.  What is important with aftermarket wheels is to use
the correct nuts to fit the shape of the seat on them.  With the Miata the
same nuts are used for the steel wheels as the factory alloys.  This may
not be the case with your aftermarket wheels though.  Check with the
vendor for the correct nuts to fit the wheels you buy.




--
Larry

White Knight   1991 Crystal White   #99 CSP
Silver Bullet     1992 Silverstone (waiting for StageIV turbo)
Honey B          1992 Sunburst Yellow