Alum. Racing Lugs - what to use to prevent galling

skimobile · 02-22-2006, 05:45 PM

Just got a set of aluminum racing lugs from Rallitek.com and I plan on putting these on with my SSR Comp summer rims however since the lugs are aluminum and the studs are steel, I was wondering if anyone had some input on the best lubricant to use to prevent seizing / galling because of the dissimilar metals, and where to get it.
The last time I put alum valve caps on the valve stems they would constantly seize / corrode without using grease, etc.

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DONAUDI · 02-22-2006, 06:52 PM

I personally would not recommend putting anytype of anti, grease, or anyother lubercant. This may cause incorrect wheel torque. And i doubt it but my possilbly lead to a wheel falling off.

LyveWRX · 02-22-2006, 09:11 PM

actually galling is most likely to occur when the two metals are the same.

Aluminium and Steel form a great corrosion couple though.

I would use either an Al-based anti-sieze or the G-n paste from Dow.

And you MUST reduce the torque you use when using anti-sieze. The important force in any bolted joint is the tension in the bolt. I forget the formula offhand but if the friction btwn the nut and bolt is lowered then for the same torque the tension is increased. This can cause the lug to stretch and the nut to strip (or the lug to strip, although thats highly unlikely with aluminium nuts on steel lugs)

Are you sure you are going to see some benefit to using aluminium lug nuts? I would think that there are far safer ways to loose a few pounds.

BIGSKYWRX · 02-22-2006, 10:03 PM

I don't think you need a thing- I've been running aluminum lugs for four years w/o any fuss/muss- 50-60 autoxs, 15+ track days. I haven't seen any rusting whatsoever, I am either swapping or rotating tires frequently however.

IamRascal · 02-23-2006, 10:40 AM

if your truly worried, get some anti-seize from wal-mart for tehwin but it shouldn't be a problem. Its inexpensive, and saves your lugs whenever you actually have a shop do service because you'll be able to get them off afterwards.

I use antisize on my studs everytime I mount my wheels after an autox, but I've never put them on the lugs.

However you shouldn't have a problem.

02-22-2006, 05:45 PM	#1
skimobile Scooby Specialist Member#: 92114 Join Date: Jul 2005 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Westerly, RI Vehicle: 03 WRX Bugeye 2.61L Hybrid Track Toy	Alum. Racing Lugs - what to use to prevent galling Just got a set of aluminum racing lugs from Rallitek.com and I plan on putting these on with my SSR Comp summer rims however since the lugs are aluminum and the studs are steel, I was wondering if anyone had some input on the best lubricant to use to prevent seizing / galling because of the dissimilar metals, and where to get it. The last time I put alum valve caps on the valve stems they would constantly seize / corrode without using grease, etc. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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02-22-2006, 06:52 PM	#2
DONAUDI Scooby Newbie Member#: 71639 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Maui/Hawaii Vehicle: 2004 STI White	I personally would not recommend putting anytype of anti, grease, or anyother lubercant. This may cause incorrect wheel torque. And i doubt it but my possilbly lead to a wheel falling off.

02-22-2006, 09:11 PM	#3
LyveWRX Scooby Specialist Member#: 19057 Join Date: May 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Mid-Town, Detroit, MI Vehicle: 2002 WRX & Red Ford 1-ton Van	actually galling is most likely to occur when the two metals are the same. Aluminium and Steel form a great corrosion couple though. I would use either an Al-based anti-sieze or the G-n paste from Dow. And you MUST reduce the torque you use when using anti-sieze. The important force in any bolted joint is the tension in the bolt. I forget the formula offhand but if the friction btwn the nut and bolt is lowered then for the same torque the tension is increased. This can cause the lug to stretch and the nut to strip (or the lug to strip, although thats highly unlikely with aluminium nuts on steel lugs) Are you sure you are going to see some benefit to using aluminium lug nuts? I would think that there are far safer ways to loose a few pounds.

02-22-2006, 10:03 PM	#4
BIGSKYWRX Scooby Guru Member#: 7958 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Plains of Eastern Montana Vehicle: 09 GH B+	I don't think you need a thing- I've been running aluminum lugs for four years w/o any fuss/muss- 50-60 autoxs, 15+ track days. I haven't seen any rusting whatsoever, I am either swapping or rotating tires frequently however.

02-23-2006, 10:40 AM	#5
IamRascal Scooby Newbie Member#: 73749 Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Frederick, MD Vehicle: 2003 Pontiac Silver	if your truly worried, get some anti-seize from wal-mart for tehwin but it shouldn't be a problem. Its inexpensive, and saves your lugs whenever you actually have a shop do service because you'll be able to get them off afterwards. I use antisize on my studs everytime I mount my wheels after an autox, but I've never put them on the lugs. However you shouldn't have a problem.