Member Since: 09 Sep 2005
Location: Scotland
Posts: 638
Do Loose Wheel Nut Sleeves Generate Noise As Wheels Rotate?
I have some wheel nuts on which the stainless steel covering sleeves are loose. It is suspect this is due to an impact wrench being used to remove and refit them when new tyres were fitted to the wheels, but it could have occurred before this.
It was also noticed that a 22mm socket will not fit the wheel nut (a 23mm 6 point 1/2 inch socket has been ordered).
The question is has anyone experienced mechanical noise when the wheel are rotating that has been found to be due to the sleeves on wheel nuts being a rattling fit?
15th May 2024 4:30 pm
Kilovolt
Member Since: 29 Jun 2015
Location: South Derbyshire
Posts: 1050
Confusing one that
I have seen both stainless and black sleeves that go over standard nuts (for decorative purposes) but not a 'loose' one that stays attached (other than a locking wheel nut). That is suspicious.
The movement must be minuscule and I would be hard-pressed to see how that makes a noise (you did not describe the noise - was it a rattle)?
Anyways, rule number one with wheel nuts that do not fit properly or the dreaded 'swollen nuts' issues, change them ASAP for decent ones before you lose the chance to get them off.
You will find lots of articles along the same lines.
Swap you nuts "Track day running - Don't put your foot back on the accelerator until your absolutely sure you don't have to take it off again"
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15th May 2024 5:14 pm
AdamB
Member Since: 18 Jan 2023
Location: Thurrock
Posts: 125
I alwaya use a 7/8 impact socket which I think fits the nuts better in my experience. Whatever you do don't use 12 pointed sockets as you're pretty much guaranteed to ruin even a brand new nut.
If you've got a decent range of 6 point sockets and at worst a hammer and some patience to get the silver caps off it's not too bad a job to get them off even if they are completely ruined as mine were. Some of my stainless caps were really loose and came off easily, others took a fair bit of brute force and ignorance and a couple I had to hammer on a 23mm socket then fight to get it out after.
They're rubbish but with care you'll get a number of years out of them, I always carry a range of sockets and a long bar in anticipation of having to get a swollen one off at the roadside one day.
15th May 2024 8:21 pm
zig
Member Since: 09 Sep 2005
Location: Scotland
Posts: 638
Did some searches on the internet using “Land Rover” and “wheel nuts” or “lug nuts” plus “covers” and “loose” and “noise” and there appears to be some evidence on covers rattling such as this one on another forum:
Member Since: 09 Sep 2005
Location: Scotland
Posts: 638
As an update the 2 wheel nuts with the loose stainless steel covering sleeves (one of which was extremely loose) were replaced with new wheel nuts and this has removed the rattling noise that was being heard as the wheels rotated. As the noise occurred after all the tyres were replaced, it is strong believed that the reason why the sleeves were loose was because an oversized and/or well worn socket was used by the tyre fitter.
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