Locking wheel lugs? Best brand?

White95Max · 02-13-05, 09:30

I have seen several brands of wheel lugs online, and the Gorilla brand claims to be the best. These aren't available locally for me though.
Is it worth the extra money to buy the Gorilla locks online instead of a cheaper set from a local store?
Should I buy 20 lugs, or would I be better off just buying 4? Do I really need 20?

az57chevy · 02-13-05, 09:49

I've got Gorillas on mine but only one per wheel. I think 5 per wheel might be overkill! If you get a cheaper set make sure the inner nubs are crisp and deatiled. It would suck to have one that anybody's lug wrench still would fit. I'm not sure that one GOOD brand is any better than another.

White95Max · 02-13-05, 10:00

I was just worried that the locking lugs would look different than the factory lugs, so maybe I should get 20 lugs to have matching lugs on all 4 wheels. Do the Gorillas look pretty similar to factory lugs when they're installed on the wheel?

SpoiledMan · 02-13-05, 10:18

ONE set of Gorillas will do all that a full set of 20 would do. If they want them, they will get them and it's not hard to get them. Don't waste your dough on buying 20, as they will be hard to notice even to you.

Setec Astronomy · 02-13-05, 10:29

IMHO, you will be *really* sorry if you replace ALL the lugs with locking ones. They are kind of a pain...I don't think I would ever rotate my tires if all the lugs were locking. I'm not sure how easy it would be to get 5 sets that all take the same key, that means that you would be carrying around up to 5 keys with you in case you have a flat...did I mention that they are a pain?...not to mention that at least for the McGard's, the keys look pretty similar..nothing like fumbling thru 5 keys in the dark on the side of the highway trying to change a flat.

You'll get used to one lug being a locking one...gives it kind of a purpose-built military feel...

MS22 · 02-13-05, 11:24

Go with the Gorilla brand lugs I have had mine for two years without any problems, not that there ever should be. Also, one set it plenty unless you just bought wheels from that "Most Expensive Wheels In The World" thread from a couple of weeks ago.

hadboosttroy · 02-13-05, 11:53

Gorilla's are good, so are McGuards. However, make sure you have the right kind of lug. I do not totally remember all the specifics, but aftermarket wheels require a different lug nut than most stock wheels. I know this to be true with hondas anyways, I assume it is the same with other stock wheels. With honda's for example, you can't run volk lugs on a stock wheel, because they don't seat correctly.

Also I don't recommend running 5 different locks, that could be a pain.

i found this online:
LUG NUTS: It is critical that the lug nut matches the thread diameter, pitch and seat, otherwise the installation will be improper, and may result in damage to your wheels and could cause a dangerous condition. The three basic types of lug nuts are: conical seat (60 degrees taper "acorn" and "bulge"), mag or shank style, and spherical or ball seat. Thread diameter refers to the diameter of the stud measured across the shank at the outer edges of the threads. Thread-pitch means either the number of threads per inch or if metric, the distance in millimeters between threads. The Seat means the area on the wheel where the lug nut will clamp down.
(http://www.jaguarwheels.com/wheelinin.html)

dogma · 02-14-05, 12:42

McGuards

92MX83 · 02-14-05, 02:03

McGard SplineDrives are great!

splattj · 02-14-05, 06:32

I love the spline drives from McGard. I have a set for both my car and the wife's. I replaced all the lugs with them because they are actually better than the stock lugs and if you need a key to take off one, using it for all of them isn't so bad.

White95Max · 02-14-05, 08:53

Quote:

Originally posted by hadboosttroy
...make sure you have the right kind of lug. I do not totally remember all the specifics, but aftermarket wheels require a different lug nut than most stock wheels. I know this to be true with hondas anyways, I assume it is the same with other stock wheels. With honda's for example, you can't run volk lugs on a stock wheel, because they don't seat correctly.

I saw this online last night when I was looking at locking lugs. I'm confused though; what does the wheel have to do with the lug fitting? Is it just that the wheel might have really small diameter holes that the lugs are inserted through, so the lugs have to be narrow? I'm going from factory wheels to factory wheels, although the holes for the lugs on my 17s are in fact narrower than the holes on my 15s.
I was looking on Ebay for the locks, and I found a set of 4 Gorilla locks with key still in the package for $12 or so. This auction specifically said that they would fit Maximas.

Cheetoh · 02-14-05, 09:23

I have the Gorilla Splines, They are great!!