Ive heard that the fact that the lightweight lugnuts are made of aluminum or magnesium - makes them start reacting with the different kind of metal threads (steel? iron?) and possibly get stuck because of chemical reaction!!!!!



As I did take a bit of some chemistry, and a little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing.., I see this as a very possible and negative outcome of going for this kind of weight reduction. I dont want to screw up my car.



Does anyone know about this or other problems with lightweight lugnuts?



I cant help but think that the high heat of track running make any possible electrolysis reactions go faster. It just seems like a bad way to spend $ 70-80 bucks for minor weight reduction given what might happen- (have also heard that they arent that sturdy) - plus it is weight reduction that is very close to the center of the wheel anyways and that lessens it's effect.



Comments from the board?

 

aluminum can be strong in many circumstances-...



i believe the front subframe on a zo6 is made of magnesium, which prolly needs to be kinda strong-...



and i believe the lugs on a lamborguinea are made of titanium-...



i don't think that any of these alloys have a superior strength compared to steel but enough to do the job.



me personally, i wouldn't spend that kinda dough on lug nuts (and i've thoroughly thought about it in the past). instead i'd spend less than half as much and just get a short, open-ended, steel lug nut. there should be a wee bit of weight savings over the chrome capped style but (like an alloy nut) prolly not enough to really make a difference.



i should also mention the studs should get a decent coating of anti-sieze (the copper one rocks) so it really shouldn't be in "direct contact"