i was able to remove mine with a large set of channel lock pliers. you can get a good grip on the nut and the handles will fit between the lugs.
if you go the socket route, i believe it is a 8 sided nut. i got a 12 point one from amazon, i think, that worked well to tighten it back up. i could get it to 75 ft/lbs before it slipped off. but that was it. i can tell you that is much tighter than it was though.
the driver side wheel is a left handed thread.