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Can anyone tell me the best wheel brace to buy and the sizes required

I have a metric brace 17-19-21-23 that wont fit the nuts on my '949' alloys, am I to assume that these require a 'non metric' brace?

I also notice different sizes for different types of alloys - so Japanese alloys use metric brace but if alloys/nuts are US then imperial?

Dumb question you might think, but who cares?

i got a set like this:

http://www.tridon.com.au/Products/img/ph-690500.jpg


with a long breaker bar.

super easy to undo even the tightest of nuts, and not likely to scratch any rims.

Firstly, you don't necessarily need a brace for hex nuts, simply use sockets and a long bar. A lot of people use torque wrenches.

zero00 wrote:I also notice different sizes for different types of alloys

That part I don't understand. Wheel nuts size is completely independent of type of wheel, regardless of the country of origin's bias toward metric or imperial.

The only limiting factors for choosing compatible nuts for the particular wheel are (besides obviously getting the correct thread):
- angle of seating/mounting surfaces around the holes (most are angled between 45-60 degrees)
- physical size of mounting holes, ie. some are too narrow to install "normal"/external drive nuts because there isn't enough room for the brace/socket to go around the outside of the nut and inside the mounting hole and so you have to buy internal-drive ones.

There are many different sizes, including length, of hex-drive external and internal drive nuts. So you either buy any suitable brace or sockets (bring a nut to Supercheap/Autobarn etc. for fit), or buy new nuts to suit the current brace you own.
Not to forget, "security" type nuts that have special sockets.

Lastly, "Garage Chat" is for documenting whole cars' history/mods.

1red5

Thanks, I was going to put it in 'social events' but chose garage chat because that' s what I say it is

I have a set of Advanti that require the socket on the end of the brace as does the 'KING' alloys. I picked up the brace as well as the extendable lever handle for 'tight' nuts, also is metric but will take them both back tomorrow along with a spare nut so I know what I am getting - just was one of those 'do it now' buying sprees for a trolley jack, tape etc in prep for next weeks track day

Thanks to both of you

949 nuts ARE metric.

19mm hex

I use a 19mm deep socket on a torque wrench, but you could use any 19mm hex tool.

The only issue is that a stubby socket (like a wheel brace) increases the risk of leaving ugly marks on the nuts where it digs in. Deep sockets spread the load along the whole face.

Being alloy nuts, a torque wrench is STRONGLY recommended to avoid overtightening and stripping them.

Roger
Ryobi FTW!

Makes life so easy to change wheels over for track days
I just use a torque wrench to adjust

Thanks guys, appreciated!!

The nuts I have for the '949' did not come with the wheels and a 19mm doesn't fit proper - I think that at best if i cover all bases with both metric 17 thru to 23 and also have imperial should solve the problem

I have the socket extension for the brace that suits both Advanti and King, whereas the '949' doesn't require the socket. I will say that I am NOT mechanically minded at all , never have been and never will profess to be, changing a tyre and polishing the swaybars is about my limit!!

Minx, that Ryobi looks fine and would suit my needs as well

Apologies, I assumed you had the 949 brand wheel nuts.

Regardless, my comments stand for any Alloy wheelnut.

edited:
Alloy wheelnute meaning a wheelnut made of an alloy (aluminium)
Not a wheel nute fro an alloy wheel.

HKS

Thanks, very helpful!! No nuts accompanied the 949's when I got them just the rims - I will ring the guys that fitted them and ask what size were the nuts they supplied but I will cover all bases anyway

Not good when you have to call RACQ to loosen nuts when even a wheel brace wont budge them!

MINX wrote:Roger
Ryobi FTW!

Makes life so easy to change wheels over for track days
I just use a torque wrench to adjust

I bought the same one after hearing MINX talk about it and it really is handy.

The deep impact socket shown above from Supercheap has a nylon shield which helps protect your wheels too so consider getting that too.

I still tighten by hand and torque wrench though since I don't want to damage the nuts.

Lokiel

Thanks again for that, will be going to that store after work, so long as the trains run to time! Train catching is now a dangerous sport!! Don't ask me to explain PLEASE!!

Everyone

Thanks so much for your assistance, much appreciated - I have confirmed with Option 1 Garage that my nuts are 19mm, so I have correct brace and also correct size nut loosener or whatever ya call it, the lever type thing when they're too tight

Happy motoring!!