Altima steel weels on '02 Maxima

[pordy]

Hi all- I've run '02 16" Altima steel wheels on my '02 Maxima SE the past few winters. It isn't pretty but gets me around in the snow well (Blizzaks). Recently I came across '02 Altima hub caps that would improve the appearance a lot... but it appears that my Maxima lug nuts are too narrow and the Altima hubcaps are held on by fatter lug nuts?

So my question is: if I can find Altima steel wheel lug nuts will they thread on my Maxima, and any idea where to get them other than from a dealer for *$6 each*?

thanks kindly for any ideas.

Pat

btw- I'm obviously new here. My '02 is dark grey, 6 sp, and has every option but navigation (thankfully) and limited slip (sigh). 66K miles.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Hubcaps shouldn't be held on by lug nuts at all. It'll either cover the lug nuts, or have holes for them to fit through. Changing hubcaps shouldn't require you to change lug nuts, though. Hubcaps are held on by clips on the outer rim that hold on the rim of the steel wheel.

No reason altima lug nuts wouldn't work with the Maxima, though. Same thread pattern. But they should also be the same. Every Nissan I've ever worked with has had the same size lug nuts.

[pordy]

Hubcaps shouldn't be held on by lug nuts at all. It'll either cover the lug nuts, or have holes for them to fit through. Changing hubcaps shouldn't require you to change lug nuts, though. Hubcaps are held on by clips on the outer rim that hold on the rim of the steel wheel.

No reason altima lug nuts wouldn't work with the Maxima, though. Same thread pattern. But they should also be the same. Every Nissan I've ever worked with has had the same size lug nuts.

Many thanks for the reply. Good to know the threads should be the same.

My experience with hub caps was exactly as you describe then... until I got these '02 Altima caps. No clips, and large holes for the lug nuts that my Maxima's stock lug nuts go right through.

Sure enough, I went to the parts counter at a dealer and the lug nuts for an '02 Altima with steel wheels are much fatter with a silicone/rubber lip that holds the hub cap on.

But he wanted $120 for a set of 20 which is crazy!

Thoughts on where to buy used lug nuts? Surely lots of people are ditching their steel wheels on their Altimas so these should be around?

Thanks againPat

[MinisterofDOOM]

I just bought new lug nuts for my car at a local tire shop. Only cost me about $20. They weren't genuine Nissan OEM, though.

Shouldn't be a problem buying used ones unless they look severely rusted or corroded.

And welcome, by the way.

[jltibbs]

You could always go with the beauty rings. They rock. Here's my old Max with that exact same setup (sorry that the only pics are of it wrecked):