Spline drive lugs - Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras

Joeyy · 2006-08-02, 02:53 PM

Looking to buy new spline lugs. Anybody know of a good local place to purchase from or should I go staight to Suby Dude? Thanks D-

Kevin M · 2006-08-02, 02:57 PM

Just go up to Summit. $27 or so for a subaru set.

Joeyy · 2006-08-02, 03:02 PM

Thanks for the help.

Nick Koan · 2006-08-02, 03:08 PM

If you didn't already know, 12 x 1.25 is the threading you'll want.

Dean · 2006-08-02, 04:32 PM

Why spline? they are a pain in the neck IMHO.

Don't let them upsell you to McGard, they all buy lug nuts from the same OEM. Summit, Gorilla, or Weld racing should be cheaper.

Whatever you do don't get the really narrow hex or star drive ones. The suck big time. Not enough meat in the seat...

Nick Koan · 2006-08-02, 04:47 PM

Are you sure about that? My McGard's are different then the Gorilla ones I have. I don't know if they are better or not, but they are definitely different.

Kevin M · 2006-08-02, 06:15 PM

McGards are the good 2 piece ones aren't they?

GC8.Love · 2006-08-02, 07:32 PM

Good topic. Well.. answers.. results.. yeah.

I'm curious, too.

Joeyy · 2006-08-02, 07:56 PM

Wow, I did not know lugnuts were going to be so complicated.

Kevin M · 2006-08-02, 08:10 PM

Everything related to cars is complicated... if you actually care. If you don't, everything is really simple.

doubleurx · 2006-08-02, 08:26 PM

I have the McGuard spline lugs. I think they are great. They are two piece so that the point of contact stays in one place on the wheel. That way you don't scratch the wheel surface...................you know in that spot that you will never see unless the wheel is off!

They have held up well over two winters with no scratches in the finish, but they are priced a little silly.

Dean · 2006-08-02, 09:24 PM

The two piece ones are their even more expensive ones. thier base models are the same as everyone elses. http://www.mcgard.com/search/default...vID=1&NavID=11

Not sure they actually buy you anything for the extra buckos.

Spline drives are a pain IMHO because of the stupid ultraweak "socket" that doesn't even have a square drive on it you have to use, and you are not supposed to use impact tools on them. It is like having "locks" on every lug. PITA.

I'm partial to the "Acorn Bulge" style for the street.

http://www.gorilla-auto.com/products...=249&sfID2=249

MPREZIV · 2006-08-03, 06:41 AM

I've got a set of "american eagle wheel accessories" spline drive lugs that I got from my buddy Tim at Tires Unlimited. They're decent construction, and cheap as well!

sperry · 2006-08-03, 08:33 AM

The point of splines is that they fit in those wheels that have narrow lug holes. For example, on the Enkei RPF1's I have my socket makes contact with the outside of the lug hole when pulling off my 6-sided lugs, it still works, but it's a real tight fit. With my spline-drives, that gizmo key thingy has all sorts of clearance because the spline-drives themselves are so narrow.

Splines would actually be really sweet if only someone (*cough* Snap-On) would make a 1/2" drive, heavy duty, spline socket. Because it's only that key that sucks.

Dean · 2006-08-03, 09:02 AM

If the key didn't suck, they would be fine.

I have a 19mm thin wall deep impact socket that works great on the RPF1s... Gold anodized and everything. Part of a 3 piece set from......

You guessed it....

Harbor Freight!

I can't find the anodized ones, but an ugly black set is only $9. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40036

The colored sleeves come off for really tight spaces.

sperry · 2006-08-03, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean

If the key didn't suck, they would be fine.

I have a 19mm thin wall deep impact socket that works great on the RPF1s... Gold anodized and everything. Part of a 3 piece set from......

You guessed it....

Harbor Freight!

I can't find the anodized ones, but an ugly black set is only $9. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40036

The colored sleeves come off for really tight spaces.

That's funny, my 19mm impact socket from HF cracked *the first time I used it*. No joke.

There was a popping noise, I thought it was just the bolt breaking loose, but after that the socket just spun over the bolt. I thought I must have used the wrong size or something, but no, it just split the socket open.

That was during my JIC install, IIRC.

Dean · 2006-08-03, 09:14 AM

To be honest, I split one of their 19mm standard thin wall deep impact sockets as well.

Got a free replacement though. And it has been fine since, thogh I don't use it for banging lugs anymore.

The Lug Nut specific ones though have held up significantly better. they have a fatter base and overall appear to be better construction. I'm probably at a couple thousand impacts on the 19mm one I have by now.

2006-08-02, 02:53 PM	#1
Joeyy i can has kart? Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: CA Posts: 1,228	Spline drive lugs Looking to buy new spline lugs. Anybody know of a good local place to purchase from or should I go staight to Suby Dude? Thanks D-

2006-08-02, 02:57 PM	#2
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	Just go up to Summit. $27 or so for a subaru set. __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2006-08-02, 03:08 PM	#4
Nick Koan JDM Cowboy Real Name: Nick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Somewhere Posts: 8,642 Car: 2015 Mazda 3	If you didn't already know, 12 x 1.25 is the threading you'll want. __________________ While a standard engine is powered by a belt connected to the crankshaft, a turbo engine runs on its own exhaust steam, making it more energy efficient. -- CNN

2006-08-02, 04:32 PM	#5
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	Why spline? they are a pain in the neck IMHO. Don't let them upsell you to McGard, they all buy lug nuts from the same OEM. Summit, Gorilla, or Weld racing should be cheaper. Whatever you do don't get the really narrow hex or star drive ones. The suck big time. Not enough meat in the seat... __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2006-08-02, 04:47 PM	#6
Nick Koan JDM Cowboy Real Name: Nick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Somewhere Posts: 8,642 Car: 2015 Mazda 3	Are you sure about that? My McGard's are different then the Gorilla ones I have. I don't know if they are better or not, but they are definitely different. __________________ While a standard engine is powered by a belt connected to the crankshaft, a turbo engine runs on its own exhaust steam, making it more energy efficient. -- CNN

2006-08-02, 03:02 PM	#3
Joeyy i can has kart? Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: CA Posts: 1,228	Thanks for the help.

2006-08-02, 06:15 PM	#7
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	McGards are the good 2 piece ones aren't they? __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2006-08-02, 07:32 PM	#8
GC8.Love EJ22 Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 339 Car: '01 STM Impreza 2.5 RS ; '96 "Junior Mints" colored Impreza Brighton - "Bowl of Wet Spaghetti" Class: We got classes?	Good topic. Well.. answers.. results.. yeah. I'm curious, too. __________________ "Lemon curry?!"

2006-08-02, 07:56 PM	#9
Joeyy i can has kart? Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: CA Posts: 1,228	Wow, I did not know lugnuts were going to be so complicated.

2006-08-02, 08:10 PM	#10
Kevin M EJ22T Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Reno Posts: 9,445 Car: '93/'01 GF6, mostly red Class: 19 FP	Everything related to cars is complicated... if you actually care. If you don't, everything is really simple. __________________ FWD is the new AWD

2006-08-02, 08:26 PM	#11
doubleurx EJ205 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Truckee Posts: 1,948	I have the McGuard spline lugs. I think they are great. They are two piece so that the point of contact stays in one place on the wheel. That way you don't scratch the wheel surface...................you know in that spot that you will never see unless the wheel is off! They have held up well over two winters with no scratches in the finish, but they are priced a little silly. __________________ Does it have a motor..............Does it have a motor?

2006-08-02, 09:24 PM	#12
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	The two piece ones are their even more expensive ones. thier base models are the same as everyone elses. http://www.mcgard.com/search/default...vID=1&NavID=11 Not sure they actually buy you anything for the extra buckos. Spline drives are a pain IMHO because of the stupid ultraweak "socket" that doesn't even have a square drive on it you have to use, and you are not supposed to use impact tools on them. It is like having "locks" on every lug. PITA. I'm partial to the "Acorn Bulge" style for the street. http://www.gorilla-auto.com/products...=249&sfID2=249 __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2006-08-03, 06:41 AM	#13
MPREZIV Token Real Name: Le Stig Afrique? Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: sitting next to a big yellow box Posts: 3,589 Car: 2001 Impreza 2.5 RS Class: 05 TDSP No, I won't work on your car. F your car*	I've got a set of "american eagle wheel accessories" spline drive lugs that I got from my buddy Tim at Tires Unlimited. They're decent construction, and cheap as well! __________________ "...these condoms have a topical anesthetic to reduce sensitivity, so you can last longer. What a paradox. You can't feel a thing, but you can f*ck for HOURS..."

2006-08-03, 08:33 AM	#14
sperry The Doink Real Name: Scott Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 20,335 Car: '09 OBXT, '02 WRX, '96 Miata Class: PDX/TT-6 The way out is through	The point of splines is that they fit in those wheels that have narrow lug holes. For example, on the Enkei RPF1's I have my socket makes contact with the outside of the lug hole when pulling off my 6-sided lugs, it still works, but it's a real tight fit. With my spline-drives, that gizmo key thingy has all sorts of clearance because the spline-drives themselves are so narrow. Splines would actually be really sweet if only someone (cough Snap-On) would make a 1/2" drive, heavy duty, spline socket. Because it's only that key that sucks. __________________ Is you is, or is you ain't, my con-stit-u-ints?

2006-08-03, 09:02 AM	#15
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	If the key didn't suck, they would be fine. I have a 19mm thin wall deep impact socket that works great on the RPF1s... Gold anodized and everything. Part of a 3 piece set from...... You guessed it.... Harbor Freight! I can't find the anodized ones, but an ugly black set is only $9. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40036 The colored sleeves come off for really tight spaces. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

2006-08-03, 09:14 AM	#17
Dean Señor Cheap Bastarde Real Name: Dean Join Date: May 2003 Location: $99 Tire Store Posts: 9,294 Car: $.04 STI Class: Fast,Cheap & Reliable=STI Deal, did somebody say Deal? Oh, Dean, yeah that's me.	To be honest, I split one of their 19mm standard thin wall deep impact sockets as well. Got a free replacement though. And it has been fine since, thogh I don't use it for banging lugs anymore. The Lug Nut specific ones though have held up significantly better. they have a fatter base and overall appear to be better construction. I'm probably at a couple thousand impacts on the 19mm one I have by now. __________________ I am a Commodore PET --- Now get off my lawn you kids...

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Current Meet Location - Tamarack Junction - 6pm - 1st Thurs of each month	sperry	General Subaru Discussion & Club Chat	2459	2021-05-26 07:40 AM
FS: 4 New Rota Tarmac 2's Bronze 17x7.5, 48 incl. lugs	left footed whooten	User Classifieds	8	2007-02-19 08:48 PM
why drive by wire?	van	Technical Chat	9	2006-05-20 02:57 PM
Sarrazin to drive a Vantage V8 in French Rally	Nick Koan	Motorsports Chat	6	2006-04-26 09:45 AM
Who wants to teach me how to drive a stick.	U53D	General Subaru Discussion & Club Chat	29	2004-07-12 05:39 PM