Non-scratch lug nut socket

[DrWebster]

I'm looking for a socket that won't scratch my lug nuts, but I'm having some trouble finding something suitable. What I need is something that won't scratch the lug nut itself -- I'm not worried about scratching the wheels themselves, but those kinds of sockets (with the non-scratch coating on the outside rather than the inside) are the only ones I seem to be able to find. Anyone run across any, preferably 3/8" drive? I have a new set of lug nuts on the way, and considering their cost I'd rather keep them scratch/rust-free as long as I can.

Thanks!

 

[shortfuse12]

i dont think they have those.. cause regardless the edge of the lug nut will be scratch cause thats the "grabpoints"

 

[DaleNixon]

I hate when I scratch my nuts.

 

[Phone]

If you have standard (read: non-spline) lug nuts, you might be able to swing by Sears or HF and pick up a few larger diameter sockets and line them with felt.

 

[DrWebster]

If you have standard (read: non-spline) lug nuts, you might be able to swing by Sears or HF and pick up a few larger diameter sockets and line them with felt.

That's what I was starting to think...get a 23mm socket (stock is 21mm) and just Plasti-Dip the whole thing.

 

[Phone]

Eh, plastidip might not work for this because the edges of the lug nuts are sharp and will easily rip through the plastidip.

 

[arcxer]

If I were so worried about those nuts, I'd probably just invent some cheap solution, like: wrap them with some thin Scotch tape or stick it inside the socket (it'd be short-lived as the tape would rip easily, but you can always reapply it).

But honestly -- I wouldn't care that much. It'd be enough to be careful when you loosen/tighten them with regular tools.

And, BTW, are you going to never let service people touch them? They use those impact wrenches, never hand-guide the nuts (lazy)... On my Maxima, lug nuts and studs were kind of weak spot -- I couldn't remember how many times these monkeys cross-threaded them.

It's very stressful to worry about all those things. What about paint chips and dings? How do you park your car so that some knucklehead doesn't dent it with his rusty Oldsmobile door? What about your jack scratching paint from the jack points -- and then you have rust on the body, which is much more expansive than some lug nuts? What about rocks and gravel dents? And so on.

I mean, it's certainly helpful to be a bit more careful, but don't let it become an obsession.

 

[DrWebster]

If I were so worried about those nuts, I'd probably just invent some cheap solution, like: wrap them with some thin Scotch tape or stick it inside the socket (it'd be short-lived as the tape would rip easily, but you can always reapply it).

But honestly -- I wouldn't care that much. It'd be enough to be careful when you loosen/tighten them with regular tools.

And, BTW, are you going to never let service people touch them? They use those impact wrenches, never hand-guide the nuts (lazy)... On my Maxima, lug nuts and studs were kind of weak spot -- I couldn't remember how many times these monkeys cross-threaded them.

It's very stressful to worry about all those things. What about paint chips and dings? How do you park your car so that some knucklehead doesn't dent it with his rusty Oldsmobile door? What about your jack scratching paint from the jack points -- and then you have rust on the body, which is much more expansive than some lug nuts? What about rocks and gravel dents? And so on.

I mean, it's certainly helpful to be a bit more careful, but don't let it become an obsession.

I plan to swap the lug nuts if I ever take the car in for service where I think/know they'd need to remove the wheels. Don't plan on using air tools of any sort on them.

Not trying to be OCD about it, but I do know that even regular lug nuts will start to rust after only a couple of years if they get scratched up. Just trying to keep these looking nice for a bit longer if I can -- and if a $10 socket helps me do so, then I think that's worth it.

(Also, I'm in the process of Plasti-Dipping the s*** out of the underside of the car, including the jack points -- I'm not going to let my 2 end up as rusty as our Mazda 3 has decided to become.)

 

[UnZipHer15]

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/protective+socket+set.do?sortby=ourPicks

 

[UnZipHer15]

they have a cheaper set as well... griots garage has everything!

 

[njaremka]

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/protective+socket+set.do?sortby=ourPicks

for that price, you could replace your stock lug nuts with STOCK OEM replacements every couple years and still come out ahead.

 

[BRIAN_MP5T]

 

[UnZipHer15]

gotta pay to play and keep your s*** protected!!

 

[Max Archer]

If you're really just worried about rust, I think I'd just forget about the nuts you bought and get a set of aluminum or titanium lug nuts. They look cool too, and you can always tell yourself that you're reducing unsprung mass, although I'm doubtful whether lug nut weight will mate any appreciable difference on a road car.

 

[zoomerang2]

I'm looking for a socket that won't scratch my lug nuts, but I'm having some trouble finding something suitable. What I need is something that won't scratch the lug nut itself -- I'm not worried about scratching the wheels themselves, but those kinds of sockets (with the non-scratch coating on the outside rather than the inside) are the only ones I seem to be able to find. Anyone run across any, preferably 3/8" drive? I have a new set of lug nuts on the way, and considering their cost I'd rather keep them scratch/rust-free as long as I can.

Thanks!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-Rim-Whe...=280664672859&ps=63&clkid=8811872483675723976

I looked around a little and found some for quite a bit cheaper... I may even pick up a set, although, rust is not a big problem in my area

 

[UnZipHer15]

nice find for sure!

 

[Ryno666]

Electricians sockets work but only by hand we used these at a tire shop I used to work at.