GeoT3

did not realize this until this weekend while searching through the shop manual for lug nut torque specs. I came across a note about the positioning of wheel lock nut. It stated that prior to Sept. 95 all lock nut are positioned on the opposite side of the valve stem at the factory. This ensured max. wheel balance. but after Sept. 95 this may not neccessary be the case. I checked the position of the lock nuts on my car and repositioned every one and to my surprise that all of my slightest vibration is gone from the steering wheel.

Robin 993DX

If I am not mistaken you don't have a 95 993, right? If I remember correctly you have a Twin turbo or something like that? Or a newer model 993? So are you saying that this would help on newer model cars?

GeoT3

Robin, yes, I have a '96 993 NA or DX
Prior to moving the lock lug nut, I exprienced mild steering vibration at 60mph and slight touchyness at 85+ mph. now, the car is precise. the less touchyness may be in my head but the vibration at 60 is definately gone. saved myself from a car realignment.

LC997C4s

would this spec be applicable if you have the hollow spoke technology wheels as well?

Porsche911NYC

My '98 911 Carrera S came with 18" Factory Technology Hollow-Spokes and the Factory Wheel Locks opposite the valve stem (I've since removed them and installed 20 brand new lug nuts, being sure to first paint the 4 wheel lock lug tips red so as to maintain continuity in the mounting position of the wheels)

johnsopa

My '92 Cup car (964 based) had the end of one of the lug bolts painted red at the factory. The valve stem was supposed to be mounted 180 degress from this and the lock was to be placed on the red lug bolt.

Also, note that if you have metal valve stem caps that have substantial weight (mine are heavy Porsche caps) they should be installed when the wheels/tires are balanced. When I got my last rear P-Zeroes installed, the installer forgot to put one of the caps on when balancing. Sure enough, a slight vibration was felt through the seat. Rebalanced that one wheel with the cap on and it required one more small tape weight (1/4 oz maybe? I forget) and was then smooth as ice.

KingTubby

never heard this. thanks for sharing..... bump for a bit of extra info to share 21 years later

orangecurry

21 years!

I've always done this, on all my cars, because
1) OCD
2) if you have to change a wheel in the dark, it's much easier to find the tire valve stem and then put the lock key straight onto the correct lug nut, than trying each one randomly.

If you think the above will make any noticeable difference, it's also always worth explaining to your tire-fitter what the yellow and red dots mean on the new tires, as correct positioning will cut the number of weights to a minimum. You may be amazed at the number of fitters that don't know or (more likely) care

pp000830

Hi George,
It makes sense to put the security nut, which may have a different mass, in the same position on the wheel studs when remounting the wheels to preserve the wheel's balance.
The security nut, the one that takes a key that came on our car; is prone to failure and so can result in the inability to mount a spare tire in an emergency and resulting in a flatbed trip to the shop to have it drilled off. For this reason and having encountered such a failure at the side of the road I applied a fix by replacing all four keyed locking nuts with standard ones.

Stealing OE wheels as a crime of opportunity doesn't seem to be an issue with the 993 and the security nut is a minor nuisance to a professional who really wants your wheels. Then again looking at used wheel prices on eBay I do not see a professional calling on your car for its wheels. Now taking the entire car is a different matter, something not materially thwarted by the security nuts.
Andy

HalfGerman

Wheel locks only stop amateur thieves. Tire shops have locking lug removal tools and if they have them the thieves too. Not to mention plenty of youTube vids showing how to remove them without a key. When I bought new nuts , I left the locking ones off.

swmic

This doesn't make sense to me. Wheels are balanced with out the lug nuts, so any balance issues relative to the stem and TPMS sensor are zeroed out. Whoever does the install should pay attention the the red and yellow dots like orangecurry said. I do like the idea of placing the wheel locks opposite the stem so you know where they are at! Also, the radial distance from the center of rotation of the lugs is small compared to the tire, so any difference in mass of the lugs will have much less of an effect.

gbgastowers

My wheels (turbo Hollow ) are worth around $3,000 That’s enough to tempt a thief. I say make it as inconvenient as possible and use the wheel locks if u have them.

993c4ie

even amateur thieves have a set of these https://www.irwin.com/tools/browse/s...olt-extractors
Any lock nuts come out in seconds....

Twilightblue28A

I live in Philly. Although I worry about theft of wheels and catalytic converters, my top priority is carjackings and getting to and from my car alive.

Foxman

I hear that. I think we should all get together and do a ramble (not rumble) through the streets of cities like Philadelphia and Chicago, and reclaim this Country of ours. I don’t use wheel locks, but I never leave the car on the street unattended.