I don't even know if these are after-market wheels or originals, but I do know that I bought an original (I think) lug wrench from someone on this site. It fits 3/4" lug nuts, but it doesn't fit my lug nuts which are 13/16". Do I have the wrong lug nuts, "wrong" wheels, wrong lug wrench?

Thanks, Tom

 

3/4 is correct for your vehicle... The chrome 13/16 lug nut you have is most likely aftermarket...

 

Thanks. So would you say the wheels are probably aftermarket too and made for the larger size lug nuts or could I get the correct size nuts to fit my wheels?

 

Your wheels are the newer late '70s style with the snap on center caps. Original '72 wheels would have had bolt on center caps. I'd just go get a 13/16" lug wrench & forget about it. The correct factory 3/4" nut had a stainless steel cap crimped on & they were kind of delicate. You don't want to use an impact on them as the caps will loosen up & eventually fall off!!!

 

Thank you! So you're pretty sure these are factory wheels from a later generation? Then, is there a late 70s Oldsmobile lug wrench that used the 13/16" size?

 

I would get a 4-way lug wrench - that's what I started carrying in my car back in the 1980s. They are a lot easier to use than the factory angled ones. And you really don't need the pointy end for prying hub caps off when your car has SS wheels.

 

Quote, from Mr. Padavaano:

All 1968-1974 SSII/III wheels used bolt-in centers
All 1975-1988 SSII/III wheels used snap-in centers

For 1968-69, only 14x6 were available, except for the 15x7 chrome rim versions used on the 1969 H/O.

For 1970-72, only 14x7 were available

For 1973-74, both 14x7 and 15x7 were available. Yes, 15x7 with bolt-in centers were offered for TWO years.

For 1975-up both 14x7 and 15x7 snap-in were available.

I'm not sure where this incorrect info about the bolt-in 15x7 wheels being 1974 only came from, but it has been repeated here many times in the recent past. These wheels are two-year-only wheels.
Thanks Joe.

The correct lug nuts are reproduced. Steer clear of any lug nut thats made offshore.... JUNK.

Secondly, I would put a breaker bar with an extension and a good socket in my road box. A good 6 point socket is much easier on the lug nut crowns, doesn't mark them up as a tire iron would. Dont use the bumper jack either. They are unsafe and mark up the bumpers. Purchase a compact shop jack or bottle jack

 

Yes, thine arest. Thou hath only to asketh, and ye shall find the truth.

 

Thanks guys. Mine are 15 inch and I think they look really good on my VC. I just need to put on better white wall tires because these are horrible and have a bad record...

Thanks, Tom

 

Tom, most all of the "solid" chrome aftermarket lug nuts are 13/16". As mentioned the original nuts had a thin stainless cover that would get all mangled up when a impact wrench was used. Also around here in Michigan they would corrode and bulge out so a 3/4 socket wouldn't fit on them. At a tire shop I worked at there was times we had to take a chisel to the covers to get them off and then use a 6 point 18mm socket to get the what was left of the lugnut off. I would also just use the 13/16 nuts as they are more durable. I also would use a 6 point socket/extension/breaker bar because the lug wrench or 4way wrench is so thick that they usually damage the caps when they turn and rub against the cap.

 

I won't allow a capped lug nut to stay on my vehicles.
I always replace them with solid lug nuts.
I have never had a vehicle with capped lug nuts that did not give me lug nut problems at one time or another and usually a couple or few at a time.

 

Thanks for all the good answers from so many people. I didn't say that my lug nuts seem like they are low quality and they still have good chrome so I'll keep them. I just was curious about the size that was answered too. It looks like I bought the factory lug wrench for nothing.

Tom

 

You can still use it to yell and holler at people, while shaking it above your head. At one point or another, we all turn into the "Get off my lawn!" guy.

 

Or you can shake it at a girl and say "hey baby, you don't need this to tighten Deez Nutz!!!!"

 

This is what happens when you allow some guy at a tire shop to use an impact wrench to tighten your nuts ;-)...

 

The man’s nuts, grab’em!