Using factory lug nuts with factory steel wheels & wheel covers?

[vibenvy]

I am considering getting some of the '09-'10 2.4L wheel covers to go with our winter steel wheels. I have one question though... would it be possible (and safe) to use the chrome lug nuts that are used with the factory 18s with factory steel wheels and wheel covers? The wheel covers would be $277.xx (for 8) brand new with shipping from GM Parts Direct and I really don't care to spend the extra money on more lug nuts if the ones we already have will work.Any input and/or advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[keithvibe]

Probley notreason being is most alloy wheels use the lug on the left while most steel wheels use the lug on the right.

[jkm311]

They looked odd paired with my steel winter rims, but my chrome lugs got me through last winter with no problems. I am considering different ones for this winter, just for looks.

[vibenvy]

I have used regular lug nuts with steelies quite a few times and never had a problem. I was more concerned with how they would work with the wheel covers on there too. I am worried that they might crack the wheel covers or something. I am thinking I might just order one wheel cover and test it out before winter comes to see how it goes.

[vibedrivermatt]

You would have to get special OEM lugnuts if you want to use OEM hubcaps with your steel wheels. The lugs nuts are actually extended and have a set of threads on the end. The hubcap attaches to the wheel with plastic nuts that screw onto the threads on the ends of the lugs nuts. It's really a very nice system for attaching plastic hubcaps to steel wheels.If you didn't want to get the OEM lugnuts and wheel covers than maybe some generic hubcaps would work? I'd show some pics of them but I'n not near my old lugnuts at the moment.

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by vibedrivermatt »You would have to get special OEM lugnuts if you want to use OEM hubcaps with your steel wheels. The lugs nuts are actually extended and have a set of threads on the end. The hubcap attaches to the wheel with plastic nuts that screw onto the threads on the ends of the lugs nuts. It's really a very nice system for attaching plastic hubcaps to steel wheels.If you didn't want to get the OEM lugnuts and wheel covers than maybe some generic hubcaps would work? I'd show some pics of them but I'n not near my old lugnuts at the moment.talking about these.and if your using your alloy wheel lug nuts on your steel wheels... your taking a big chance... the taper isn't right on the alloy lugnuts for use on steel wheels. You could lose a wheel, have a wobble, ruin a rotor.

[vibenvy]

I guess I'm not going to worry about using any wheel covers then. I tried searching for aftermarket lug nuts that would work, but there aren't any (that I could find anyway). To get the OEM lug nuts from GMPD (cheapest place) would be $229.92 for 40 (one set of 20 for each Vibe) and that's not even with the plastic caps, just the lug nuts themselves . I can't believe it's this freaking hard to find OEM lug nuts .Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »and if your using your alloy wheel lug nuts on your steel wheels... your taking a big chance... the taper isn't right on the alloy lugnuts for use on steel wheels. You could lose a wheel, have a wobble, ruin a rotor.These are the lug nuts we used last winter with the steelies (Dorman #711-346):I used these same exact lug nuts on the steelies on my Sunfire Sedan and never had an issue. We also never had any issues all last winter. I even asked the guy who mounted and balanced my winter wheels and tires and he said they would be fine.

[ajb812]

Hmmm, maybe these could work?http://www.gorilla-auto.com/lug.nuts.page_10Second row from the bottom - one of the two on the far right ...A google search shows some places that have them for $2 - $3 per lug.I think the bottom middle ones may even be the same as the oem alloy lug nuts (not sure though) - could be handy in the future ...

[star_deceiver]

Quote, originally posted by J_TO_ENVY »To get the OEM lug nuts from GMPD (cheapest place) would be $229.92 for 40 (one set of 20 for each Vibe) and that's not even with the plastic caps, just the lug nuts themselves . Have you tried going to the wreckers and grabbing some lugs? The ones on my old 05 Sunfire are exactly the same as the ones on my Vibe, including the wheel cover threads.

[vibenvy]

Quote, originally posted by ajb812 »Hmmm, maybe these could work?http://www.gorilla-auto.com/lug.nuts.page_10Second row from the bottom - one of the two on the far right ...A google search shows some places that have them for $2 - $3 per lug.I think the bottom middle ones may even be the same as the oem alloy lug nuts (not sure though) - could be handy in the future ...Those do actually like they would work. The one on the far right looks exactly like the one keithvibe posted, but it doesn't come in the 12 x 1.5 which is what the Vibe takes. So, I wonder if the one to the left of it would work?Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver »Have you tried going to the wreckers and grabbing some lugs? The ones on my old 05 Sunfire are exactly the same as the ones on my Vibe, including the wheel cover threads.My first thought actually was using lug nuts from a J-Body because I know they are the same size, but then I didn't know if they were the exact same size or not. So, have you actually put the Sunfire lugs on the Vibe with the wheel covers and lug nut covers?If you could confirm that they will indeed work for sure, I will head to my local junkyards seeing as they always have a plethora of J-Bodies.

[star_deceiver]

All my research says that the Sunfire lugs and Vibe lugs are all M12x1.5Now... where's my torqure wrench and camera....

[vibenvy]

I know they're the same size-wise as far as the 12 x 1.5, but according to this post, the Vibe is the only GM vehicle that has this specific size so that makes me wonder if they will indeed fit properly.If you can prove they will, I will be so happy!*EDIT: I just checked out GMPD and they have totally different part numbers listed for the Sunfire and Vibe lug nuts *

[keithvibe]

they will fit. they are the same My wife had a 2000 cavy, I had an 04 cavy and a 94 cavyand I interchanged the lugs between her car and mine (vibe) with out issue. Which is why I had so many spairs... lol

[vibenvy]

Well, that's the best news I've heard all day! I guess I'll be heading to the junkyards next weekend to get some lug nuts and lug nut covers!Thanks so much for the info Keith!

[keithvibe]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ories

[vibenvy]

So those will for sure work? I just want to make double sure before I buy two sets of them.What about the lug nut covers then? Would I have to order those from GMPD or are there universal ones that will work or something?

[star_deceiver]

Yes and no... They fit perfectly on the Vibe BUT the threads for the wheel covers are diffrent! You may want to get the wheel covers for a Sunfire!But this was a good excuse to rotate the tires!!!

[vibenvy]

Well, thanks a lot for the pictures and information. Unfortunately, J-Bodies never had 16" steel wheels, therefore I wouldn't be able to use Sunfire wheel covers since the steelies we have for the Vibes are 16" . I am still leaning towards just sticking with the ghetto steelies because this is going to still cost quite a bit of money to do the right way .