Do I Need to Look into Getting New Wheels
 

I wanted to post this here so I could get feedback from you guys. When I last had my 1978 Camaro Z28, that I bought new, serviced they marked on the Courtesy Visual Inspection form that the lug nuts (original) were going on too far, going past where they're supposed to stop and would require attention soon. Is this most likely that they are just too old and should be replaced or is this more a wheel problem where the original 5 spoke steel wheels have the wheel stud holes enlarged now where the lug nuts instead of holding the wheel tight are actually being forced into the wheel stud holes too far? I know a buddy with a 1967 Nova SS had to replace his original steel wheels because the wheel stud holes were too large and he was told it was actually a safety factor.

The holes can get enlarged by repeated removal and install of the nuts, or by being left loose and allowing the wheel to slop around, but the BIG reason they get hogged out is over tightening by an impact gun. Steel wheels only need about 75 lbs ft of torque and many impacts can do double that with ease. If you have a friend with a torque wrench, have them try to tighten the nuts until the wrench clicks and read what it says.

Totally agree , impact guns are usually set too high for my liking.

Thanks guys for the feedback. I'm sure the wheels have been taken off and put back on numerous times in 43 years, and I would bet always with an impact gun in putting them back on.

Get a few pics with the nuts on, so we can see how far out the holes have been flared and then with those same nuts off, to see how much space is around the stud. They may just be looking for business or protecting their butt from a lawsuit, IF something were to happen that involved the wheels. Businesses today can't be too careful with that kind of crap. Seems way too many people want to get rich from a frivolous lawsuit.
We all have steel wheels that have been off and on numerous times and they are still good. IF the nut goes past the wheel and bottoms on the drum/disc, THEN the wheel will be loose and could start wobbling and enlarging the holes.

They make cupped stainless steel washers just for that problem. I've had a set on my bird for a few years now and daily drive it with no problem. I didn't want to go through the trouble of finding more Pontiac Rallys and then the masking and painting process, so I tried the washers. Been fine since.

I forget where I bought them from but I did a search and lots of places pop up.

Here's one.

https://classicautoparts.com/hub-nut-washer

Those factory wheels do require correct lug nuts, I have seen lots of lug nuts wear into and degrade the tapered section on the nut that seats against the wheel. On that note you can probably find after market chrome lug nuts with a 13/16 wrench head size which would have a larger tapered area where the nut contacts the wheel which may help.

I don't think it is a major problem currently as by what I've been able to see just a few, not all, of the lug nuts have a splayed look to the chrome part of them against the wheel. I'll have to look further into it and will try to get some pics posted.

Thanks again.

Here are some pics I took showing some of the lug nuts that have that splayed look to them.

...would bulge nuts help here? Just throwing that out there. Cheers.