lug nuts

[Old GI]

I have to very careful about the wording of this message. The lug nuts on the Montana are rusting badly, there are 8 per wheel totalling 32 lug nuts. Will there be any relief from Keystone or will I have to pay for new ones myself. My Montana is 15 months old.
Pete

[ols1932]

That's a non-warranty item.

Orv

[DHenry]

I am pretty sure that you will be on your own in the case of rusting lug nuts. Some of the other members have replaced theirs already. If I remember correctly Les Schwab has replacement lug nuts.

[illapah]

what is rusting on the nuts? Threads or exterior? Threads could be coated with anti-sieze lube made for lug nuts.

[Army Guy]

WOW! rusting already. I will have to check mine now to see.

[HamRad]

I would think that where you live might have an effect on how rusted your lug nuts might get. If you live somewhere with high humidity I'd suspect a lot of your rig might end up rusted.

On the other hand 15 months is a relatively short period of time.

HamRad

[bsmeaton]

Mine were rusty at delivery and I just never brought it up. Too many sparkles in my eyes I guess. The de-icer road coating (whatever it is called) out here will rust in anything overnight. The rig was delivered in January so it got drenched in that stuff during last years storm.

I suppose Keystone would just give you back the same old chrome plated rusty type. I think you need to look for Stainless Steel.

[H. John Kohl]

I have the same issue with my 14 month old unit. Aluminum wheels and rusting surface on the lug nuts. I was thinking of polishing each one when we get parked in a couple days. Now I am wondering if it is better to just replace them. How do you tell you have a good quality chroma plating?
Happy and Safe New Year all.

[scductman]

Mine started rusting so I cleaned my wheels and lugs good and I keep putting a little WD40 on the lugs. They have been a lot better for the last yr or so. just something you might try. bobby

[Waynem]

For repairing chrome plated material, use 4000 grit steel wool, also known as "super fine." just rub gently until scratches disappear or almost disappear. I use it on all chrome coated motorcycle parts. Removed tiny scratches off of tail pipes.

My Hanna was purchased in August and the lugs are surface rusting already. Yes, I'm in a very humid climate. I'll be looking for stainless soon.

Edited: p.s., the aluminum may be clear coated. Do not use an abrasive on the aluminum. Once you loose the clear coat you can actually buff the aluminum to a high shine resembling chrome plated. If you do that, be prepared for a lot of elbow grease.

And, if you get it looking like you want it to, you can clear coat it again.

[wersqu]

Here in Wisconsin with all the salt they use on the roads everything rusts on your wheels. Mothers makes aluminum and chrome cleaners that are a snap to use. I would suggest trying this before I replaced the lug nuts.

[firetrucker]

Please don't use antiseize or any other grease on lug nut threads. They should be clean and dry, according to some people, or, at most, LIGHTLY oiled according to others. Using torque readings to measure clamping force is a compromise which depends on a certain friction component in the threads and under the head of the bolt or nut. Reducing that friction component too much can lead to studs/bolts that have exceeded their yield point or are ready to break (or broke) even though the torque reading is within spec. Elongation of the stud is what provides the clamping force, stretch it too much and you've got trouble, immediately or down the road. If you've got problems with road salt, etc., make sure the rim seats smoothly against the drum and use covers or a coating impervious to salt.

Bob

[OntMont]

It is a common problem, if you get replacements via Keystone, the same thing will happen. I tried cleaning and polishing mine, but it did not last. My soluton was to order good replacements myself. In my case, I purchased McGard nuts from Summit Racing, all on line. Rather expensive, but they are guaranteed not to rust. Make sure you get the right nut, there are hundreds of variations.

[sreigle]

As others said, it is a common problem. We have the same problem and ours is 17 months old. Even if it were a warranty item, at 15 months you are out of warranty anyhow.

[bncinwv]

I am confused about the lug nuts not being a warranty item. Ours were replaced under warranty (within the 12 month period) after noticing the rust. I thought the warranty was for the entire rig and all parts thereof.
Bingo

[sreigle]

I think it is a warranty item within the 12 months. What I meant is that it is not warranty for us since we're beyond that 12 months. Sorry if I confused. I manage to do that to myself plenty often.