chris951

I heard years ago that 944s have titanium alloy lug nuts. They are really really light and are a lot stronger than aluminum. The only other metal I could think of would be magnesium. Is this true or false?

schwank

As far as I know - False. The stock nuts are aluminum alloy.

For track use it pays to switch to steel nuts. Or for some, brass ones

Porschefile

I believe the stock log nuts are 7075 T6 aluminum, or possibly another aluminum alloy that's very similar. They definitely aren't titanium.

2bridges

X3 aluminum alloy

and are NOT titanium and nothing close to magnesium.

chris951

thanks guys

marksportcts

Deffinately not titanium, Aluminum for sure. I also had a wheel shop strip one of my lugs during a tire change. Never been back to them since.

potent951turbo

On the rumor side of this post, I was at the BMW dealer a year or so ago talking with a friend who is a salesman there when another guy that worked there walked up and started talking about how he use to work for Porsche back when 951's were new and how the wheel nuts were titanium. So this rumor must be the cause of something. I never really thought much about it but its odd that someone else has heard this same rumor.

Porschefile

That is odd but, you know how rumors are. Aluminum is something like 60% lighter than Titanium. These Porsche alloy lug nuts are most definitely way too light to be titanium. Titanium also wouldn't strip as easily as these do.

mj951

For those of you using steel lug nuts, have you have any issues with galvanic reaction between the two dissimilar metals? i'm planning to order a set but wondering if i should continue with the stock aluminum lugs on the street and switch to steel for the track or just run with steel lugs full time. thanks.

schwank

Part of the reason for running the steels is they are far more durable when frequently removing and torqueing. Ideally they wouldn't have too long to corrode together!

Porschefile

I switched to steel lug nuts on my 951 a long time ago. I've never had any problems. 99% of automobile drivers don't have problems with steel lugnuts. I just like the added reassurance that the few small chunks of metal keeping my wheels from falling off and causing irreparable damage to the car are that much more durable. Aluminum lugnuts are cool for the novelty factor but, other than that they don't serve much of a purpose.

mj951

thanks for the quick responses, steel lugs it is...

Oddjob

Galvanic reaction between the steel studs and the steel lug nuts?

You will see rust on the exterior of the nuts long before they rust onto the studs.

Just put some anti-seize on the lugs and you will be fine, regardless of use or conditions.

KuHL 951

If anything there would be more galvanic action between the aluminum lugs and steel studs. The two steels are close on the galvanic series but will corrode more. There really isn't enough electrolyte (moisture) to make the aluminum nuts an issue unless you drive only in Winter. The aluminum will provide cathodic protection to the steel studs and keep them from corroding. I have never heard of an aluminum lugnut failing unless it was severely galled or over torqued to begin with. That being said I still check the threads on the lugs when I put them on, if they don't hand tighten all the way down I toss them because I know the threads are compromised. The same goes for steel lugs. Steel lugs actually have less thread engagement if you count the turns.

hosrom_951

You can get titainium ones if you want to.

A set of 20 for around $50 i recall.