Open ended vs closed end lug nuts?

[Daryl]

I’ve seen the little shorty open ended lug nuts on a handful of Mustangs with aftermarket wheels and I kind of like the look. Tiny little detail I know, but I’m curious if they’re as strong, seat properly, can handle the torque, etc, etc as the full length closed end??

So, if you’ve run ‘em or have had the occasion to compare both, I would appreciate some feedback. Many thanks!

 

[RAU03MACH]

i can tell you open end will rust quicker

the closed end is sealed no moisture no rust

 

[ttocs]

I run open ended splined lug nuts.

 

[Daryl]

I run open ended splined lug nuts.

Any issues with them, like Rau mentioned?

 

[RAU03MACH]

that rusting depends on if roads get salted in winter
around bay areas how many times wheels are washed
constant rain it all depends on moisture

 

[ttocs]

no, but I have not driven it as much as I would like, much at all. I hope my back stuff is fixed and I can get it back on the road asap.

 

[96blak54]

Be different! Rice out the car and run spiked lug nuts...lol

 

[Daryl]

Be different! Rice out the car and run spiked lug nuts...lol


View attachment 44751

Oh HA-EL no!!!

 

[96blak54]

LOL

 

[duh09]

There is no real world difference between open ended lug nuts and closed ended lugs nuts except one is closed and one is open. You'll see open ended lug nuts more on performance minded cars as they often have longer studs to make sure there is solid thread engagement across the entire nut.

If the seat is the correct style for the wheel, it'll seat correctly.

If you torque it correctly, it'll torque correctly.

Avoid shitty cheapo aluminum lug nuts and you won't have any strength issues.

All of those points go either way for closed or open end lug nuts.

I've had more issues with closed end lugs nuts seizing up than open end lug nuts because at least with an open end, it's not a problem to squirt some lube in the end to help free them up and that's on old cars that probably haven't had the wheels off in 30 years.

 

[Daryl]

Thanks, everyone! I got the feedback that I anticipated I’d get. I just wanted to hear some real life examples of each to make sure. Now, to try these out ( and to avoid cheap-ass Chinese JUNK, what brand(s) would you recommend?
On edit: McGard? Gorilla? White Knight. All made in U.S.A. Here’s the Gorilla page…
Or, the local Ace hardware store to see if they have any in grade 8?

 

[ttocs]

I am not sure I have ever seen such a short lugnut. I am not sure how much of the stud is in the regular nuts but it always seemed longer than a 1/4"? The ones I got are a 1/2" long

24x Black Open End Spline Drive M14x1.5 Lug Nuts | Size: 14x1.5 | Front | 14 mm x 1.5

SCM 435 Steel Lug Nuts are Cold Forged/Exceeds OEM Quality. Key Hex Size No exceptions! (Including Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Island PO BOX, FPO and APO).

www.ebay.com

the only reason I got them is because I got the baer 14" front 6 piston brake kit and it needed a 1/4" spacer with the wheels. I wanted to be sure that they wheels stay on so I got the longer arp studs with those 1/2" nuts.

 

[lwarrior1016]

Gorilla is good. I use open end mcguard lug nuts on my drag wheels. They are warrantied against rust. I would absolutely go with them again if I needed to. If I buy any new lugs in the future, they will be my first check.

 

[Daryl]

Thanks, guys. If the White Knight are too short I’ll return them (Amazon) and decide between the two

 

[Daryl]

These lil’ darlings just arrived this morning. May take a minute or two to swap one out and see how they set and look, as I am once again recovering from reverse shoulder surgery last Wednesday. So I’ll be the one-arm bandit sneaking outside to do this quick as I can before my wife sees me and rips me a new one for doing shit like this! Caught me shoveling yard debris yesterday. See if I can piss her off again today! Stand by….. LOL

 

[Daryl]

Ok, got away with it with what’s left of my ass intact! In the picture, I don’t “hate” how the open-enders look (and the ugly black full-lengths don’t help), so I’m thinking either go to black open-ended or just get a new set of black full-lengths.
The pisser is: this is the 2nd set of black full-lengths and the coating just sucks. I’m wondering if there’s a brand that doesn’t turn looking like crap in 2 R&R’s of the wheels?? And that’s kind of why the open-ended are still in play. Wouldn’t notice defects on them near as easily as on the tips/sides of the full-lengths. Hmmmm……

 

[ttocs]

I have not noticed any problems with the finish on my splined nuts but I think that is because they have more area to push on. Bad point is you need a key/special end to get them off but on the good side less worry about someone stealing your wheels

 

[96blak54]

I have the White Knight splined black full length nuts on my daily driver. They look good. Ive had to shoot some paint on them 1 time now. They are made of steel and were bleeding a little bit of rust. The paint made them look good again

 

[badass98svt]

I have McGard black splined lug nuts. Had them for years. No rust at all. The full coating is still on them. I would notice if they were deteriorating because I take the wheels on/off at least twice a year.

 

[RAU03MACH]

I have the open set on my 05 washed the car 3 times since I got the drag pack wheels
And rust has started
Not 100% sure of lug nut metal material quality
But the studs started also
I ended up removing the lugs and copper coated lugs and studs