Ready to pull the trigger on a set of rims. I've seen some references to tuner lug nuts. How are they different from regular lug nuts and what's so special about them?

Thanks.

 

They make the wheels and tires perform better and increase grip. JK...

Many aftermarket wheels do not have a lot of room to fit large impact style sockets over the stock lug nuts. Tuner lugs offer a smaller diameter head and typically use a special socket. For me I just stick with factory lugs and tell the tire shop people they can't use an impact socket as it won't fit and will scratch the rims...

 

It's not just the socket that won't fit - stock bolts are just too big for some of the tuner style wheels. Tuner lugs are usually a socket head rather than the standard hex head.
'07's and up use 14mm x 1.25 thread, which is rare. They are NOT 1.5 that is found everywhere. I was told that only one company made them and the cost was about $120/set. I found some on Ebay for $35 - new.

 

tuner lugs are marketing. What you want to get is the right lug with the right threads, the head that is correct for the wheel, and the correct shape.

you can buy "tuner" lugs that are total crap and just look good (or don't even do that), or you can get "tuner" lugs that are made of quality materials with the proper dimensions and the like.

Really, I think the label just means "non-OEM".

Matt

 

Tuner lugs usually mean smaller diameter head, which means stock lugs won't fit in wheels designed for "tuner" lugs.

 

My summer wheels require tuner lugs. The stock lugs just don't fit.

If you have a 07/06 build or later it is a PITA, because as mentioned above they are 14mm x 1.25 which is impossible to find. I have a 09/06 build R50 and I've only found two places that have them - one escapes me (the tire shop ordered them from them) and the other is Palo Uber (if you want rusty ones).

 

Texas Speedwerks has both the M12 and M14

 

Yup. Tuner lug is used to describe a lug bolt with a small diameter head. It's achieved by having a female bolt head rather than male and you use a key to turn them. They are used when there is a fitment issue with the larger head OEM lug bolts. I know my wheels require tuner lugs because the OEM bolts interfered with the construction of the centercap mounting system. The smaller diameter head allows for better fitment on wheels with small diameter lug holes and other interferences.

Normal lug head:


tuner lug head: