What size socket for wheel nuts?
The size of the socket needed for wheel nuts typically depends on the vehicle and the specific wheel lug nuts used. Most passenger vehicles use either a 17mm or 19mm socket to remove and tighten the wheel lug nuts.
Determining the Correct Socket Size
To determine the correct socket size for your vehicle's wheel lug nuts, you can check your owner's manual or look for the size stamped on the lug nut itself. The size is usually indicated in millimeters (mm).
- 17mm Socket: Many smaller and mid-sized cars, as well as some light trucks and SUVs, use 17mm wheel lug nuts.
- 19mm Socket: Larger trucks, SUVs, and some high-performance vehicles often use 19mm wheel lug nuts.
It's important to use the correct socket size to avoid rounding or damaging the lug nuts. Using the wrong size socket can also make it difficult to properly tighten or loosen the lug nuts, which can be a safety hazard.
Checking Lug Nut Size
If you're unsure of the lug nut size for your vehicle, you can easily check it by following these steps:
- Locate the wheel lug nuts on your vehicle.
- Take a socket set and try different sizes until you find one that fits snugly over the lug nut.
- Once you've identified the correct size, make a note of it for future reference.
Knowing the right socket size for your vehicle's wheel lug nuts is essential for safely removing and replacing wheels, such as when changing a flat tire or rotating your tires.
What size socket do I need to remove wheel nuts?
Only use a 6 sided socket, preferably an impact grade socket to remove the lug nuts. Also, the lug nuts are Jacketed, the nut is actually 11/16" with a metal Jacket, and if you use a 12 point socket you can round the jacket up pretty good.
Do you need a special socket for lug nuts?
Deep impact sockets are designed for lug nuts and bolts with exposed threads that are too long for standard sockets. Deep sockets are longer in length therefore can reach lug nuts and bolts that standard sockets are unable to reach. Deep impact sockets are suitable for a wider range of applications.
What is the most common lug nut socket size?
The three most common hex sizes for lug nuts are 17 mm, 19 mm, and 21 mm, while 22 mm, 23 mm, 11⁄16 inch (17.5 mm), and 13⁄16 inch (20.6 mm) are less commonly used.
Is 19mm the same as 3/4?
A 19 mm socket is 0.002 inches (two thousandths of an inch) smaller than 3/4 inch.
What size socket for car wheel nut?
These impact sockets are supplied as 18.5mm and a 19.5mm pair to overcome this issue, with the 19.5mm designed to fit over damaged or swollen chrome caps and the 18.5mm designed to fit wheel nuts where the caps are now missing. Designed to fit original factory wheel nuts with missing, damaged or distorted, chrome caps.
What is the common wheel nut size?
Common thread diameters used for lug nuts in SAE sizes are 7/16, 1/2, 9/16 and 5/8”. Common metric thread diameters are 12 mm and 14 mm. To determine the thread pitch on SAE threads you need to count the number of threads within a one inch long section of the stud.
How do I know my wheel nut size?
Most manuals will specify the size and type of lug nuts required for the vehicle. But if you don't have access to your owner's manual, you can check the side of the wheel nut to see if the size is imprinted on it. That's most common for nuts that have a chrome cap fitted over the lug nut, but it's a possibility.
What can I use if I don't have a lug nut key?
- Order a Replacement Key. If you know who made your wheel locks, your best bet is to contact the manufacturer and order a replacement key.
- Hammer on a Socket.
- Try a Wheel Lock Removal Tool.
- Visit Your Mechanic or a Tire Shop.
How do you determine nut size?
And width of a nut in inches inches are represented by the double quotes symbol. For example 1 double quotes means 1 inch. It is also common to see nut sizing written as a fraction.
What type of socket is used when removing lug nuts?
A good mechanic will be using black impact sockets and will not just run the lug nut down with the wrench set on high, but finish tightening the lug nuts with a torque wrench.
