McGard spline drive wheel nuts

[greenMachine]

Anyone use these? I got them to protect my Enkeis quite a few years ago, and they have been off and on a fair few times.

I have just noticed that my socket has cracked at the spline end - I don't know if this is a rattlegun problem, or just a wear-and-tear issue, but I would be interested to know if anyone else has experienced this problem. If you have, is this fixable by welding?

I will be getting another socket (should have got two in the first place as I recognised this item as the weak link, just because if you can't find it when you need it ... ), and I have now taken those wheels off for the time being, but still interested in answers to the above.

[Sailor]

You use a rattle gun on that thin socket?
I'm surprised it's lasted at all

[greenMachine]

No I don't! I thought that was obvious from my question.

As you say, it is thin, and long, so the physics of long term use may be what I am seeing. Or maybe a tyre shop hasn't followed instructions. Though these days I take them off myself and deliver them.

[green_comet]

It's a common problem mate, everyone on Amazon complains about broken lug keys.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000COTX9S/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1436959997&sr=8-1&pi=AC_QL40&keywords=mcgard+key&dpPl=1&dpID=113Vo7yeREL&ref=plSrch

[greenMachine]

Thanks.

I just placed an order for a pair. When they arrive I can experiment with welding up the crack, and I won't risk being stranded if it doesn't work.

[hks_kansei]

Cracked sockets tend to not grab because they splay out when you put some torque into them.

I’d press a piece of pipe over the outside of the socket to brace it and stop it splaying out.


Or ideally, bin it and buy a new one like you’ve said.

[greenMachine]

I’d press a piece of pipe over the outside of the socket to brace it and stop it splaying out.

The point of these is that they are thin so as not to scar the wheel finish, there is bugger all clearance there. We are thinking along the same lines though, I had in mind to weld some reinforcing around the open end - subject to available room when seated on the nut on the wheel. Maybe I'll end up turning up a piece of steel to press-fit over the end, bit like a ring.

[MattR]

Or get some good quality 19mm wheel nuts and a thin wall socket, fits inside my enkeis quite well, even my torqu limited 19mm socket for the rattle gun fits in the small hole for the enkei rims i run.