This is probably the dumbest question about lug nuts you guys will hear in a while: Ever since I swapped out the stock wheels for some aluminum Ranger wheels, 2 lugs on the rear driver's wheel won't stay torqued down. If I check them everyday, it's hardly noticeable, but if I go a few days, they can be almost 1/4 turn loose.

It's not like I drive far, my work is only 2.5 miles from home, and the wife's car gets better mileage, so we usually take that anywhere. The thing sees probably less than 50 miles on a usual week.

Am I looking at a bent shaft...or worse?

Any ideas?

Steve

 

change the lug nuts with new ones?

 

Make sure the center hole of the wheel fits properly over the hub. If the hub on the axle is just a little too big, the wheel might not be sitting flush on the drum/rotor surface.

 

different type lug nuts?

 

I used to have Mickey Thompson aluminum rims on my yj. The lug nuts would back themselves off once a week. Turns out the rim (were all used) had a slight curvature to it, and the aluminum would "flex" against the lug nuts, backing them off.

 

Just turn the lug nuts off. Does that qualify as stupid?

 

this makes sense, aluminum in very malleable, id probably just torq 15-20ftlb over on all lugs going cross wise...

 

Thanks for the input. The wheels were a little snug going on. I'm pretty sure they're on good, but I'll check. If so, maybe I'll try some new lugs.

 

which ranger rims are they? could be that you need to use the style of lug nuts that came with them...and that jeep ones are not the correct taper. I've run into that before with ford rims on a jeep.

 

The lug seats look to be the same scorn design. Maybe you'll know by looking at them.