The lug nuts of your Toyota wheel are having problems, and you want to replace it but don’t know the suitable size and type? You’re in the right post. Read on to know more about the Toyota lug nut size, material, common problems, and steps to fix them.
Toyota Lug Nut Sizes
What size are toyota lug nuts?
The majority of Toyota models (from 1st generation to 14th generation) currently in production use 12mm x 1.5 nuts, meaning the thread diameter is 12mm, and the pitch is 1.5mm.
From early Toyotas like Innova, Fortuner, Yaris Sedan, and Corolla Cross to new generation Toyotas like Camry, Yaris 5 doors, Prius, etc., all are equipped with 12mm x 1.5 lug nuts.
However, Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Sequoia, and Toyota Tundra lug nut size are 14mm x 1.5, which means the thread diameter is 14mm, and the pitch is 1.5mm.
Does The Size Of Lug Nut Matter?
Yes, definitely. If you install the wrong size of nut on your wheel, it will cause the wheel frame to deform or disrupt your journey.
When your lug nut size is smaller than the exact size of your wheel, then surely, after a short time, they will fall out, and your wheel will stop working.
If you accidentally select the larger size nuts and try to screw them in, the wheel frame will be deformed, and you will have to pay an extra cost to replace or repair it. In addition, your vehicle will end up stopping working, which is dangerous while driving.
How Many Lug Nuts Are On A Toyota Wheel?
Most Toyota wheels have 20 lug nuts on 4 wheels, so each has 5 lug nuts. Toyota Land Cruiser, Camry, Corolla, etc., all have the same number of nuts. Toyota models with 6 lug nuts on each wheel are usually pickup trucks.
How Many Types Of Lug Nuts?
Despite the different sizes, drivers are spoiled with various lug nuts with distinctive designs and colors.
Conical Seat
One of the nuts commonly used on Toyota Tacoma and TRD Pro wheels is the conical seat. Most Toyota Tacoma lug nut sizes are 12mm x 1.5.
Made from mild steel or stainless steel, these conical seat nuts are designed to fit conical holes, with the taper seat tilted inward at a 60-degree angle.
Ball Seat
Another type is ball seat nuts, widely used on Toyota Corollas, including the 12th gen Corollas. Nut heads are round or spherical and are manufactured primarily from steel.
Flat Seat Nut
Flat seats are the lug nuts you can easily find at Toyota Crossovers. Manufactured from heat-treated carbon alloy steel or aluminum steel, these nuts have a flat design at the top and are one of the most awkward nuts to handle.
If not screwed correctly, its body can get stuck in the wheel frame.
Extended Thread
You can see it as one of the popular lug nuts on many Toyota lines, such as Runner, FJ, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Tacoma, Tundra, etc.
As the name implies, this Toyota lug nut thread size is longer, increasing the alignment and connection between them and the wheel frame, helping to keep the wheels firmly on the road.
Mag Seat
The mag seat, seen as a variation on extended thread lug nuts, is made from carbon steel or magnesium and is usually black. Its bottom is flat, and they are commonly found in Toyota Tacoma, Cruiser, Tundra, or Sequoia models.
Tuner Style
Tuner-style lug nuts mostly appear on Toyota Tacoma or 4Runner models, fitting holes with a smaller diameter than standard holes.
Usually made of carbon steel, alloy steel, or aluminum steel, its structure is hollow in the middle, so it often falls victim to corrosion by steam and dust.
Spline Drive
The bottom of these lug nuts come in a cone shape, and many narrow grooves are adjacent to the top of the nuts. Since there is no hole in the middle, these nuts are more commonly used than tuner-style ones.
Made of carbon steel, they are usually available in black or red. You can find them on Toyota Tundra, Camry, Avalon, Matrix, Or Corolla Wheels.
What Are Some Common Problems With Toyota Lug Nuts?
Swollen Lug Nuts
Since the nut with a cover or nut that is empty in the center was introduced, swollen lug nuts have become a prevalent issue. The problem arises when water seeps into the area between the steel lug nut holding the wheel frame to the car and the nut chrome cover.
This issue gets worse with the combination of road salt and chemical substances. Decay and rust grow and accumulate between the two different parts. Although it has a beautiful appearance, some lug nuts aren’t always useful.
Damages Due To Sockets
Another problem is that while performing, tire spins and other car maintenance tasks will require removing the wheels. This procedure may impact sockets and cause damage to the lug nuts.
An unskilled mechanic might occasionally use a metric hex nut with a normal size hex socket or in reverse. It will make the problem worse.
The thin chrome cap’s edges may sustain damage because the socket may have a slightly larger hex, possibly removing the crimp that secures the cap to the metal screw. The cap soon fully separates, calling for lug nut replacement.
Loose Lug Nuts
During operation, the vehicle can go through rough and bumpy roads, triggering these nuts to loosen over time. It is a common problem in older cars. Besides, rust is also one of the causes for these nuts to be loose.
How To Fix These Problems?
Tips To Replace Lug Nuts
Clean and let your wheel parts dry completely before handling them, especially after traveling on wet or dusty roads. Next, use the wrench to unscrew all of these nuts.
You should pay attention to choosing the correct size of the wrench to avoid damaging the holes during disassembly. Usually, the full specifications will be available in the vehicle owner’s manual provided by the manufacturer.
Also, choose screws that are the correct size for the lots on the wheel frame. Finally, use a wrench to screw the new screws into the holes and have a driving test.
How To Tighten Lug Nuts
It’s important to know how to tighten lug nuts correctly. Maintaining adequate torque minimizes damages to the wheel, hubcaps, and other parts, keeping drivers and passengers safe while driving.
You can put a drop of anti-seize grease in the center hole and don’t use it on the tire bolts or lug nuts.
Use your preferred tool to tighten the lug nuts until they are snug enough.
Tighten the nuts again in the pattern while gradually increasing the effort till the screwdriver stops turning.
How to fix lug nuts problems? – Image source: Your Mechanic
FAQs
Are All Lug Nuts Universal?
No. Many drivers assume that all nuts are the same, but it’s not the case. Each car will be designed with a wheel frame and parts of different sizes.
Nuts also have variations, and their preferences are also different, so if you want to buy nuts to replace them, you should know their exact size.
How Much Does Lug Nuts Cost?
The lug nuts replacement price depends on the kind of vehicle and its age. For most automobiles, lug nuts or bolts may be purchased for $2 to $7 or $8 per set.
However, maintenance costs are more expensive, fluctuating with your car type and the auto shop you go to. This process will include replacing, cleaning, and tightening the nuts. If it consists of the labor cost, the maintenance fee will be around $100.
Are Aluminum Lug Nuts Good?
In certain ways, forged aluminum nuts function better than ordinary ones. The porosity is eliminated throughout the forging process, maintaining structural stability. As a result, they are difficult to break.
Heat and pressure produce improved mechanical and physical qualities during the ongoing forging process.
Compared to the cheap ones, they are stronger. The best aspect is that aluminum wheel nuts are incredibly strong and lightweight. Having less unsprung weight is a major benefit for improving speed.
Due to the characteristics of aluminum alloys, which are shielded by a self-produced oxide coating, they are highly resistant to rust.
Moreover, aluminum alloy wheel rim and lug nuts have excellent finishing qualities and are anodizing-friendly. Thus, various colors may be coated onto aluminum lug nuts, including red, black, blue, and gray.
Usually, color pairing will substantially increase the aesthetic attraction of your design. Using them in the appropriate colors can make your wheels stand out and appear stylish.
Conclusion
Overall, most Toyota models usually provide 12mm x 1.5 nuts, but Toyota Land Cruiser, Sequoia, and Tundra are designed with 14mm x 1.5 nuts. There are quite a few types of nuts, so you can choose the designs you like. However, remember to choose the correct Toyota camry & corolla lug nut size to avoid damage.