Hi All - I'm looking to replace my chipped, chrome lug nuts on my 89 328. Any suggestions as to where to buy new ones? All four wheels. Thanks.
Thanks Mike. Since we're close in proximity, any suggestion as to where to get them re-chromed? And your correct, bolts.
Kent send me a pic of the bad lug bolt you have and also do you want to chrome just the bad one or the whole set?
The whole set needs to be re-chromed. I have found a shop near me and I'll be swinging by them later this morning to chat. I have looked at Hill Engineering socket tool and new wheel bolts, a second option. The car is on jacks today, new tires today.
From what I've seen nowadays, rechroming isn't as good (durable) as it used to be and it's a LOT more expensive than previously. Admittedly, those bolts aren't very big so maybe it wouldn't be too expensive - they'd just "toss" them in with another, bigger job... But personally, even if the re chroming price was only 50% of buying Hill bolts, I'd go with the Hills. Now...if it was 25%, I might change my mind!
Ok I just got a quote of $120 to do all 20 bolts from the plating shop. I have had them chrome something for me several years ago and the quality is really good and it still currently good today.
Thanks, If you want to forward me your contact I'll compare prices. It should be about the same. It's pretty cheap, $120.00. Do you use this socket? https://www.hillengineering.co.uk/tools/wheel-related-2/chromesaver-sockets/cs-01
This is the socket i use. I also sent you PM Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I concur, Mike: I bought a full set of - at the time - just recently rechromed bolts for my '89 GTB in 2010 from E-Bay UK. It was cheap, at € 200 for the twenty bolts. Twelve years later, the fronts are still fine, but the ten rears are now pitted; not exaclty the same pitting as on the original bolts, but much smaller spots, the size of a needle head, many of them and everywhere. (Had also the original twenty - pitted - bolts from the car rechromed locally to me, the job was not expensive and fine; it would have been acceptable, had they not chromed the threads also...) Rgds
Yup. In recent years the EPA outlawed the older chroming process, which has put hundreds of chrome platers out of business. Nowadays, restorers have to send parts like bumpers and wheels to platers in California, Texas, Oklahoma or Nebraska because there are few other places that have platers for larger parts. I found out all this when I was looking for a place to strip the chrome off a set of wheels (nobody in Colorado can do it anymore). Some places can do small parts like hardware and small trim pieces, but the new EPA-friendly chroming processes do not produce the same quality, color or durability of the older process. I guess if you can get the bolts done for around $100 or so, it's worth a try. Fortunately there isn't any chrome on a 328 other than the wheel bolts and door locks! Image Unavailable, Please Login
I found a guy about five miles from my house that can do all 20 bolts for $150.00. A couple of days to accomplish. It'll be my next project.
The few times I take off my tires I suspect they should last a number of years. I've thought of just stripping the chrome off the current bolts and high polishing the heads. Not sure how it would look though.
Temporarily you can get a set of these chrome push on cup for the 22mm hex Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thanks Mike, The end caps are liveable. It is the flat edges that are mostly chipped. I appreciate your help.
