Forum Discussion

LoudRam's avatar
LoudRam
Explorer
Apr 29, 2019

Sloppy socket fit on lug nuts

Just got our new trailer a few weeks ago and we're getting ready to take it out in a couple of weeks for the first time. So I wanted to check the lug nuts and every socket I could find is a little loose. 13/16 is the size that fits the best so I bought a 6 point deep impact socket just for the trailer. That's still a little sloppy. No other size fits better. Is the sloppy fit typical? It's been a while since we got rid of our last trailer and I don't remember the size but I don't remember it fitting this loose.

Edit: All the 13/16 sockets I have fit this way. Both 6 and 12 point. The best fitting socket is an old cheap sparkplug socket but that's only a 3/8 and that a little loose too.
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2019
    LoudRam wrote:
    The 13/16 doesn't slip when I tighten it by hand. I'm the meantime I'll loosen all of them and torque them back down to make they are torqued correctly and they don't slip.


    And retorque them after the first 50 miles.
  • LoudRam's avatar
    LoudRam
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2019
    carringb wrote:
    I'd go ahead and swap the lug-nuts out. I'm sure the manufacturer sources the cheapest imported lug-nuts they could order on Alibaba. If their dimensional QA/QC is poor, their metallurgy QA/QC probably leaves as much to be desired. I'm not saying all imported hardware is bad, but unknown vendors are hit and miss.


    That's what I'll probably do. The 13/16 doesn't slip when I tighten it by hand. I'm the meantime I'll loosen all of them and torque them back down to make they are torqued correctly and they don't slip.
  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2019
    I'd go ahead and swap the lug-nuts out. I'm sure the manufacturer sources the cheapest imported lug-nuts they could order on Alibaba. If their dimensional QA/QC is poor, their metallurgy QA/QC probably leaves as much to be desired. I'm not saying all imported hardware is bad, but unknown vendors are hit and miss.
  • LoudRam's avatar
    LoudRam
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2019
    SidecarFlip wrote:


    Gee, go buy one.... Problem solved. Harbor Fright has them everyday.


    Gee, Harbor Freight doesn't carry 20mm sockets. If it's not a standard size, they don't carry it. And see my last post.
  • SidecarFlip's avatar
    SidecarFlip
    Explorer III
    Apr 29, 2019
    LoudRam wrote:
    SoundGuy wrote:
    LoudRam wrote:
    13/16 is the size that fits the best so I bought a 6 point deep impact socket just for the trailer. That's still a little sloppy. No other size fits better. Is the sloppy fit typical?


    Metric perhaps?


    I tried a 19 and a 21. 19 was to small and 21 fit like the 13/16. I don't have a 20. That's not typical size, would they use that?


    Gee, go buy one.... Problem solved. Harbor Fright has them everyday.
  • LoudRam's avatar
    LoudRam
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2019
    I just checked the fit on 20mm and the socket is to small. It's a 13/16. No cover on the lug nut either. It's a plain open ended lug nut.
  • GrandpaKip's avatar
    GrandpaKip
    Explorer II
    Apr 29, 2019
    I had the same problem when we first got our camper. Got one of them stuck in a impact socket and it was a real PITA to get it out. Got a set of solid nuts in 13/16ths to remedy the situation.
  • afidel's avatar
    afidel
    Explorer II
    Apr 29, 2019
    time2roll wrote:
    Are these solid nuts or do they have the stamped shiny metal on them?

    Solid 1/2" x 20 lug nuts


    Oh yeah, could be 19mm with the delamination problem. I believe GM is being sued over two piece lug nuts where the two parts separate causing them to not be removable with standard tools. Could be the TT manufacturer used the same or similar lug nuts.

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