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article details
Author Various
Categories All Honda/Acura
Create Date January 17, 2002 17:12
Last Update April 05, 2002 00:38
Wheel Locks
Last Updated: 06/24/97

Lug Nuts

Always be sure to check the tightness of your lug nuts. The spec for the 3rd generation car is 80 lbs/ft or 108 NM (please send me specs on 1st/2nd gen cars). Most important is that all nuts on a wheel are tightened equally. Failure to do so can cause brake rotor warping very rapidly. FWD Acura/Honda cars are particularly susceptible to this when driven hard (I have experienced it several times on various models). Aftermarket wheels may cause even more problems when improperly torqued depending on the quality of their mounting plate (machined surface which mates to the wheel rotor). 80 lbs/ft is typically at the extreme range of many cheaper torque wrenches (~$20.00) in auto parts stores. A torque wrench is a good investment if you do any sort of work on your car.

Lug nut torque specs - I have been informed by a knowledgeable 2nd gen owner that the spec is 80 lbs/ft or 108 Nm for all three generations. So go buy that torque wrench!

Personal Experience: Checking my lug nuts after getting my latest tires put on, I found tightness varying up to 10 lbs/ft! Not good and probably the cause of my front rotor warpage. I also experienced this prob on my last Civic with aftermarket wheels. Thinking back, my rotors never warped until after I had taken the wheels off (bought both cars new). Other stories welcome.


Wheel Locks

GS-R wheels are very popular with thieves. In Shawn's area, 4 different GS-Rs in a 5 mile radius had their wheels stolen last year (his was one - no locks). My aftermarket wheels were also stolen from my car. I had ordered some non-OEM McGards wheel locks but they were on back order. Of course they arrived the morning my wheels were stolen. Murphy's Law sucks! :)

McGards appears to be the best known brand and the most recommended among both owners and mechanics. McGards also manufactures the OEM wheel locks available from your dealer. This type uses an enclosed key to ensure that the lock surface does not slip or break. When purchasing wheel locks, be sure the mating surface is identical to the lug nuts for your wheels (stock or aftermarket).

McGuards do make a non-OEM wheel lock that will fit the factory wheels. These are the ones that have beveled ends and NOT the ones that comes with washers. The bevel is so that the wheel will center itself on the lugs properly (lug-centric wheels).

However, these non-OEM locks are a little on the long side and sticks out a little too much. In addition the key comes in a 21mm size which is different than the stock's 19mm lugnut size. These non-OEM ones cost about $20.00.

The OEM McGuards is the top set while the aftermarket McGuards is the lower one.

The McGards OEM locks has a triple nickel-chromed finish. Compared to the non-OEM ones, they are shorter and fit semi-flush with the wheels. They also have a smoother bevel to fit nicely with the wheels. The locks will also be covered under Acura's warranty. And finally the key is the same 19mm size as the stock lug nuts.

For only a little bit more, you can get the better fitting OEM wheel locks from A&H Motorsport for only $28.00 plus shipping. They are definitely worth it.

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Date Thread Starter Thread
12-27-2002 17:59
My wheels were still stolen!   (Score: 1, Normal)
mjm78mjm
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