Lug Nut Help!

[Jason Wood]

I have been fighting with the lug nuts on my 1974 Red Dale since last year. One side is standard thread and the other is reverse thread but that's not my issue. The issue is the size of the bolts...I had to pound on a 20mm socket with a sledge to get the wheels off to do the bearings. A 13/16 Socket is just a bit too big and seems like it will round over the corners if I really get on it. I ordered a 25/32 Socket which arrived today...I was convinced it would be the correct size...but nope...it is too small. I've searched for socket conversion charts online and don't see anything that seems like it would fit...what am I missing?

Any help will be appreciated. 

[Lakota Wolf]

--------------------------------------.heres a metric conversion chart with metric to s.a.e.  Hope this helps.. 
4mm _ .1575 _ 5/32+ 
5mm _ .1969 _ 3/16+ 
6mm _ .2362 _ 1/4- 
7mm _ .2756 _ 9/32- 
8mm _ .315 _ 5/16+ 
9mm _ .3543 _ 11/32+ 
10mm _ .3937 _ 13/32- 
11mm _ .4331 _ 7/16- 
12mm _ .4724 _ 15/32+ 
13mm _ .5118 _ 1/2+ 
14mm _ .5512 _ 9/16- 
15mm _ .5906 _ 19/32- 
16mm _ .6299 _ 5/8+ 
17mm _ .6693 _ 21/32+ 
18mm _ .7087 _ 23/32- 
19mm _ .7480 _ 3/4- 
20mm _ .7874 _ 25/32+ 
21mm _ .8268 _ 13/16+ 
22mm _ .8661 _ 7/8- 
23mm _ .9055 _ 29/32- 
24mm _ .9449 _ 15/16+ 
25mm _ .9843 _ 1- 

[Lakota Wolf]

It would be wise after you get the lug bolts off to replace with new.. Older lugs round off or get buggered when someone doesnt use correct socket. Plus lug bolts do wear out with threads stretching. The same goes with lug BOLTS.

[Jason Wood]

Thanks...I brought one of the lugs to my local auto parts store and they couldn't match the cone correctly. I'll try Fastenal next. I'm just baffled at the weird size. Maybe there was a special lug wrench for this camper back in the day?

[Lakota Wolf]

A side note,,,,,,, Some of the classic RV's had nut caps,, chrome covers on them which they fitted with correct sized lug nut. Chevy was notorious for this on there Class C's and one tons.

[Russell E Johnson]

Is your 13/16 socket a 6 point or a 12 point?  if it is a 12 point go and purchase a 13/16 6 point impact socket and you will not have to worry about rounding the edges of the lug nut.  I have an 87 southwind that takes a 1 inch socket and it has a sloppy feel to it, but the 6 point socket will grab enough of the nut to stop it from rounding off the edges.  As Lakota Wolf said, chevys are notorious for using odd sizes of lug nuts and since you have both right hand and left hand threads your axles are most likely made for a GM vehicle

[John "T" Nordhoff]

  On lug nuts I ALWAYS use a 6 point socket and NEVER use a 12 point. I've had lug nuts with cheap chrome over tops that resulted in a slight off size grrrrrrrrrr. If I ever had one start to round off Id buy a new set. When I have the nuts off I always inspect, clean and wire brush the wheel studs and light lube them.

 John T

[Jason Wood]

Thanks for the continued help. I'm going to eventually try to find replacement lugs that fit and have a standard size head. Until then I'll keep pounding on the 20mm socket if I need to take the wheels off. Let's just hope for no flat tires!