Lug Nuts!

[Tom S.]

OK, I wasn't sure where to post this, but here it is!

I hate the lug nuts on our trailers because they rust so bad. At first I thought I had a bad batch and the dealer had a new set sent out by Keystone, but these are no better. Cleaning and waxing hasn't helped because the wax can't hold up to putting the lugs back on. I've looked for stainless replacements, but there aren't any, and they would be very expensive anyway. Anyone have any thoughts?

[SlickWillie]

Try Summit Racing for the stainless steel lug nuts.

[Delaine and Lindy]

Or try South West wheel in Dallas Texas. www.SouthWestWheel.com . They will have almost anything you need for tire and wheels. GBY...

[Carl n Susan]

This is not a new topic. Take a look at
http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31436&SearchTerms=chrome,lug,nuts
and then order the McGard chrome steel lug nuts from Summit Racing.

[Art-n-Marge]

I also find the studs the nuts fit on rust a lot too. So far, I was able to fatfinger them off to replace the wheels when my Missions went bad, but other than a torque check prior to every trip I have not removed them. But in my case, I store the rig in dry climates with very little precipitation but can imagine there could be some hardships in wetter climates.

Any idea on preventing rust would be good. Like mentioned above maybe using steel nuts would be good even to remove them off rusted studs.

[racerjoe]

I would use a light coating of a product called Never sieze. It is an industrial product,with a nickel base to it, will keep rust off studs. It is normally used in wet and high heat locations in most heavy industry. I use it in all my farm applications on equipment that you need to get apart. I also use it on my rear aluminum wheels on my truck to keep them from freezing up around the center hubs. Just a real thin coat is all that is nessasary.

[Art-n-Marge]

Very good... this post turned into a 2 fer 1... 1 issue originally reported with 2 solutions provided.... Look for stainless steel lug nuts and use some Never sieze on the studs.

I just searched the i-net and and found two products: NEVER SEEZ and Anti-Sieze. The Anti-seize comes in a tube (need to brush on yourself), or an aerosol (too messy). I will shop around for NEVER SEEZ because it comes with a brush on applicator. Thanks for the info!

[Tom S.]

quote:Originally posted by Carl n Susan

This is not a new topic. Take a look at
http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31436&SearchTerms=chrome,lug,nuts
and then order the McGard chrome steel lug nuts from Summit Racing.

Thanks for the link - I don't know why search didn't turn it up, probably wrong terms.

[SlickWillie]

As far as anti-seize products, the Felpro copper or nickel based is very good. We used both on high temperature applications in the power plant with good results. Myself, I just use an application of Corrosion X on the nuts and studs.

[KTManiac]

Please note that the torque value of lug nuts that is stipulated for your axles is for dry studs and nuts. If you lube them, you can exceed the tensile strength of the studs, even though you torque them to specs(read: over-stretch the studs, and cause them to fail). For any torqued fasteners that are lubed, the torque values must be reduced by around 25-40%. It depends on the coating, if any, such as chrome, zinc, cadmium, etc., of the fasteners, and what kind of lube is used, heavy oil, teflon paste, anti-sieze compound, etc. This is especially important with the type of lug nut/wheel combination that is on most Montanas, tapered lug nut to aluminum wheel.

That reminds me, remember when aluminum wheels used to have shoulder type lug nuts, and the center hole of the wheel was used to make the wheel concentric to the hub? Why did that change?

I will not use lube of any kind on lug nuts. I prefer them to stay put until I want to remove them ...on purpose.

Perhaps some of the tire guys would like to comment on this?

[ehmcfarl]

Amazon has the McGard 64805 lug nuts for $29.51 with free shipping.
Here is the url:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000COS0HY/...0&linkCode=asn

[Art-n-Marge]

On my Ford truck service manual for rotating tires (I do this every 5000 miles), it specifies to use a drop of motor oil on the nut, then torque them down to 150 ft/lbs. Then after 50 miles of driving check the torque. I suspect in this case, KTManiac's concerned was addressed. But the studs still some rust.

Prior to EVERY trip I check the torque on the RV and the TV. I also check the air on both. EVERY trip, without fail! In all cases, things look pretty good (tightness and air pressure). I also have RV tire covers.

I can't say the same for the RV.

[OntMont]

We seem to have two threads going here, 1. Chrome plated lug NUTS rust externally (cosmetic). I addressed this by purchasing McGard lug nuts. They are standing up well after nearly two years, some of it on the Gulf Coast.

2. THREAD lubricants are another matter (functional). We used the ones mentioned previously in the power plant where I once worked, and I presume they work well to prevent corrosion and seizing, but I have not used them on the truck or trailer. They may have an effect on the torque values. Something to look into.