Hey quick question for you guys right now, I'm ordering new lug nuts and summit has two options for 1/2" lug nuts. One says "1/2-20 RH in." and the other is "1/2-20 LH/RH in."
Only thing I can think of is right hand/left hand, but that doesn't make sense. So which ones are correct? Thanks

 

Most tire stores carry chrome lug nuts.
I would think right hand for all

 

Well into the 1960's many cars used RH nuts on the RH side, and LH nuts on the LH side. Really. If a LH wheel has RH nuts, and is not properly tightened, the natural rotation of the wheel tends to loosen the nuts.

 

So then the parts that he listed, the "RH/LH" ones could be used on either side? I ask because I needed some lug nuts recently and Advanced Auto sold me some "generic" set for about $30, and none of them had a RH or RH/LH on them, just 1/2-20.

 

What you're looking at is a set of lug nuts, 1/2 of them are RH thread, and 1/2 of them are LH thread.

Some cars (like old Dodges) use a RH thread one one side of the car, and LH thread on the other side of the car. The theory is that as the wheel turns against the lug nut, it would cause the lug nut to loosen. By changing the thread direction, that wouldn't happen. Obviously that's not a real problem, and I don't think any car makers do that any more.

 

Basically, your existing lug studs will dictate which lug nuts are correct. You will have to look (or test) to see which threads your studs utilize. You simply cannot put a Left Hand lug on a Right Hand stud and vice-versa.

I'd be willing to bet thar your previous owner did not swap out your stock studs with LH threads. But then again we all have previous owner horror stories...

 

Well I know my car uses all "righty-tighty/lefty-loosey" lug nuts right now, and I do believe they are the original lug nuts (the patina matches the wheel studs perfectly!) To me it is odd that different tightening directions were used at all, seems absolutely pointless if you are tightening the lugs properly (not to mention a waste of manufacturing different parts).

 

Tha's why they don't do it any more.