Center cap not fitting new wheels - lug nuts too long?

[Chooch]

I just returned from getting new-to-me wheels installed on my 07 Denali XL.

They are the stock 20's. Previously I had the stock 18's.

When I went to pick it up, they told me the center cap to cover the lug nuts did not fit as they believe the lug nuts I had were a hair too long.

Now I have new wheels that look wierd as the caps aren't on.

Has anyone come across this? Is that really the issue? Do they sell shorter lug nuts?

It somehow did fit 2 of the wheels. So I've attached a picture of what it's supposed to look like and then the one where it doesn't fit.

 

[Foggy]

Yup,... when you have the center cap style wheels, you have to use the UNcapped
lug nuts
Those cosmetic "capped" or enclosed lugnuts just won't work under
that center cap...
They make just a plain jane 'open' lug ... that is what you need
I wouldn't put on any of the center caps until you correct this, otherwise
you'll prob lose the center caps

 

[avalonandl]

Wrong lug nuts. They need to use unchromed open end lug nuts.

 

[Jason in DLH]

Never ran into that.

Take a look at these (or similar) to see if they would work...

https://www.ebay.com/i/121094270801...pe_1C6uCCklEyw1YCEcDZJw8Y4KlJ99hoCerYQAvD_BwE

Never been a fan of EBay, but just gives you an idea. Maybe you can find some at AutoZone or somewhere.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Yes, for sure, my lug nuts are not chromed and capped.

Call your local GMC dealer, give them your truck's VIN number, and get the part number and price for the correct lug nuts. Then, go out on the web and find your best price for the correct lug nuts.

 

[OR VietVet]

They should have been able to sell you the correct lug nuts if you were at a wheel/tire store but if not there, the shop could have ordered the correct ones from a parts store.

Welcome to the forum from Oregon.

 

[Chooch]

Thanks guys, would this work?

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...-611-110/16140152-P?searchTerm=wheel+lug+nuts

 

[avalonandl]

Yes but buy a set of 24.....

 

[OR VietVet]

Yes, like @avalonandl said, buy 24, maybe one extra, as long as they are the correct thread size and thread pitch.

 

[Chooch]

As an update, literally nobody near me has more than a few in stock. Amazon does though... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089RG7XJR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_tMA9FbT1DY9ZB

Is there anything special about the external thread here? Does the center cap somehow need to thread onto it in order to stay on tight or does it just pop right on?

 

[OR VietVet]

No. The threads are for the plastic black covers that thread on to the outside of the lug nut. You can use these too. Don't worry about the plastic covers since your center caps will cover them.

 

[Fless]

^^^ What @PNW VietVet said. The earlier stock caps had plastic nuts that screwed onto the outside threads of the lug nut, like the pic below. Your caps probably have some kind of spring clip to capture.

 

[OR VietVet]

They can also be individual caps like these that thread over the lug nut and then the stock wheel will have a smaller center cap that does not cover the lug nuts. The pic that @Fless posted is a design that IMO is a PITA to work with. I dealt with these on my vehicles and in my shops and more than once came close to throwing them against the wall.

 

[Chooch]

First of all, this forum is awesome! I got my hands on some OEM lug nuts that should fit. The guy who sold me the wheels had them spare.

Second, I do have a question...

As the caps are off, I am taking a look. My rear wheels don't have a center bolt and the front do. What is that?

 

[OR VietVet]

The front is the threaded stub of the outer cv joint that is sticking thru the front hub bearing and the nut is there to hold it all tight. There is a shaft and an inner cv joint that splines into the front differential gears. That means you have 4wd. At the rear you are seeing the center cap area of the rear axle flange and there is no cv joint there but the other end of the axle is splined inside the rear gears.

 

[Chooch]

The front is the threaded stub of the outer cv joint that is sticking thru the front hub bearing and the nut is there to hold it all tight. There is a shaft and an inner cv joint that splines into the front differential gears. That means you have 4wd. At the rear you are seeing the center cap area of the rear axle flange and there is no cv joint there but the other end of the axle is splined inside the rear gears.

Thanks! So you're saying my wheels aren't going to fly off?

 

[wjburken]

Thanks! So you're saying my wheels aren't going to fly off?

Nope! You’re good!

That being said, this is the first time I remember a guy posting a problem here and found out the cause was their nuts were too big!

 

[OR VietVet]

Nope! You’re good!

That being said, this is the first time I remember a guy posting a problem here and found out the cause was their nuts were too big!

Yea, it's a curse.

Thanks! So you're saying my wheels aren't going to fly off?

Not unless you drive it like you stole it and do "Dukes of Hazard" jumps with it.

 

[petethepug]

Congrats on the 20’s and resolving the lug issue. They 20’s set the truck off. Keep an eye on your tire pressure for the first few months. The majority of the rims pulled from originally equipped vehicles are susceptible to the chrome clad peeling at the bead and the cause of slow leaks.

A good deal on OE 20’s may be a telltale sign, hopefully not. Now you can recoup your costs and sell the other set of rims.


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