gota911

Are there any issues with using stainless steel lugs on OEM wheels? I can't think of any issues, but I thought I would ask the "experts" to make sure.

Stainless Steel Lugs

stab1991

I have these. They are really nice and have the proper seat for stock wheels.

okbarnett

I think chrome is better, Boothe makes the best of them all

ELUSIVE

I think those look great!!!

kosmo

dont like the shine.

gota911

Yeah, maybe so...... but it is better than the rust that is already starting on the OEM lugs.... and DEFINITELY better than chrome!

Edgy01

I don't believe that stainless steel have the same strength rating as steel.

stab1991

i wouldnt really call it a shine.

Fin Fever

I wouldn't trust stainless. From my experience around boats, it is alot more brittle. Stainless bolts have a tendency to break. That is why we use galvanized high carbon steel on important bolts rather than stainless. Maybe try having your OEM bolts coated (zinc/galvanize/gunblue/powdercoat) or get titanium bolts (but those are very pricey). Just my 2cents, but I would not trust stainless steel due to its brittleness.

stab1991

Depends what you compare them to. Stainless does have a lower tensile stength compaired to grade 8 steel, and that is a high tensile steel. I wouldnt be surprised if our stock lugs are mild steel crap.

PJorgen

Yeah - what he said! Lug bolts are a critical component and I would not take any chances with them.

kosmo

i just ordered BLACK bolts from suncoast.

gota911

Thanks for all of the replies. Damn, I knew these sounded too good to be true! I thought I had a line on Ti bolts (being sold by a Rennlister) but I missed getting the last set he had.

I had the same rusting issue on my 996 lugs. Porsche must use the same paint on the lugs as they use on the stock "top hats" which you can sand off in less than two minutes.

Edgy01

You can clean them up and paint them if you like. Works pretty well--unless you're in the Rust Belt.

I use GT Silver paint on mine, but also opted for a set of the black plastic slipovers that work well.

simsgw

I agree with the previous discussion. I've been meaning to ask about this issue of rusty lug nuts myself. I'd swear I read somewhere that our lug nuts are aluminum. I don't remember where I read it, but I do remember being impressed they went to the trouble, since aluminum fasteners are one more complexity. The issue of course is dissimilar metals being in contact in the presence of water. Having aluminum wheels normally means special care to deal with corrosion at the lug faces. Adding aluminum lug nuts would move the need for special attention one step closer to the hub. And so forth. Our NSX with the all-aluminum bodywork and various lightweight alloys elsewhere had some elaborate fastener technology and maintenance procedures that included certain items that had to discarded after some small number of removal cycles.

So what's the straight poop: Are we supposed to have aluminum lug nuts or is that an old mechanic's tale I picked up somewhere? If we are supposed to have aluminum, why the hell are we seeing iron corrosion indicating steel nuts? And most important of all: What are these black nuts that Suncoast sells and what is the link?

Gary