Anyone unlucky enough to have changed a flat tire on the side of a highway knows the frustration of removing and reinstalling wheel lug bolts and nuts. And the fact that most cars use lug bolts at all remains confusing because a much simpler alternative exists. My 1998 Mitsubishi Montero left the factory with wheel studs, which makes sense given the truck-based design that helped souped-up versions win the Dakar Rally so many times. But somehow, the 2006 Porsche Cayenne Turbo that I just picked up for a song did not—despite the fact that the Cayenne famously took on the Transsyberia Rally, not to mention Porsche's long motorsport heritage on the tarmac.
Studs make taking the wheels off track or racecars much easier, while simultaneously helping to significantly reduce the likelihood of stripped threads. For race teams, the marginal gains can mean the difference between a win or loss—for home mechanics, performing a stud conversion can translate to loads of saved time and money. And the benefits become all the more pronounced when adding bigger, heavier wheels or tires to a build, like the Toyo Open Country A/T III tires I plan to use on this Cayenne.
You don’t think about lug bolts and nuts very often, but they’re vitally important to your car and often subject to a good deal of wear and tear. Look closely at your lug bolts and nuts, and you might be surprised to find then scuffed, chipped or rusted. Worn lug bolts and nuts are more than unsightly: extreme wear can make them difficult to remove in case of a flat tire, turning a minor roadside repair into a major hassle requiring a tow truck and a pricey trip to the shop.
New lug bolts and nuts are cheap insurance against complicated tire and wheel repairs, especially for older vehicles that have endured years or decades of lug nut wear. The best lug bolts and nuts are durable and even stylish, with a variety of color options to curate a custom wheel look. These top selections deliver on value, too.
Post time: Dec-27-2021