New Lugnuts? Drive shaft Play?

[pjsmetana]

Out driving today, and I hear a few strange thumps at low speed under braking and engine braking. I check my lugs, and sure enough, I got 2 that are stripped out. I pull one from another spot and put it in the stripped lugs spot and it stripped that lug too. This tells me that I have bad lugs and need to replace them all.

Few questions before I do...
1) Chrome or stainless? Its on factory painted silver steel wheels with silver plastic center cap and chrome outer ring.
2) BPNW has ones for the TR6, but does not list any for the Spitfire. Are they the same?
3) Moss has them at roughly $4 a piece for chrome, and since I don't see them specifically on any other site, is this a good deal?

Side question, how much play should be in my center drive shaft (Prop shaft?)? While under the car checking it out, I hear noise when I shake it and am wondering if this is normal. Its not much, mind you.

Thanks guys!

 

[Moseso]

Any noticeable side slop in the splines of your prop shaft will 1) be noisy and 2) get worse and lead to vibration and failure.

The same applies to any noticeable play in the u-joints.

I have no insights into the lug thing...

 

[Andrew Mace]

...This tells me that I have bad lugs and need to replace them all.

Few questions before I do...
1) Chrome or stainless? Its on factory painted silver steel wheels with silver plastic center cap and chrome outer ring.

<span style="color: #003300">Either would be fine, I'd think.</span>

2) BPNW has ones for the TR6, but does not list any for the Spitfire. Are they the same?

<span style="color: #003300">No, those for the TR6 are larger.</span>

3) Moss has them at roughly $4 a piece for chrome, and since I don't see them specifically on any other site, is this a good deal?

<span style="color: #003300">Probably. See also what's available from Canley Classics in the UK. </span>

Side question, how much play should be in my center drive shaft (Prop shaft?)? While under the car checking it out, I hear noise when I shake it and am wondering if this is normal. Its not much, mind you.

<span style="color: #003300">Basically, there should be no play. Which driveshaft do you have: splined, strap drive or the dreaded CV joint-on-one-end type?</span>

Thanks guys!

 

[72spit6]

victoria british also has the lug nuts for about 4 dollars a piece

 

[pjsmetana]

Basically, there should be no play. Which driveshaft do you have: splined, strap drive or the dreaded CV joint-on-one-end type?

I don't know... I put it up on the stands from the rear end and it looks dog-bone / plus-shaped on the differential side, kinda like CV I guess, but its tight on that end. Up by the Overdrive I can't seem to get a decent look, as I can't seem to get it in the air high enough to have a proper look... that or my head is just too big. I can shake the shaft, and I know I hear a bit of noise from the forward end.

I'll see about picking up some taller stands and a taller jack, then snapping a few pictures to have a 'for-sure' about it from you guys. If I can get it up in the air proper, it don't look like too bad a job to get at. Is it rough?

 

[Don_R]

Pete,

The autocross guys on in the NASS group like to upgrade the lugs from the stock 3/8" to a 7/16".

My 73 has a strap type, can see the straps on the diff end.

I have a CV type for my O/D trans.

 

[hilsideser]

victoria british also has the lug nuts for about 4 dollars a piece

been there, done that, quality was so bad I sent them back.

 

[pjsmetana]

victoria british also has the lug nuts for about 4 dollars a piece

been there, done that, quality was so bad I sent them back.

So who do I order them from then? I have to have stock type because I have the plastic center caps.

Just talked to a fellow at Spitbits, and they have a full set of 16 in chrome, with the washers, for about $55. Anyone have good luck with these?

EDIT: Went ahead and ordered them from Spitbits.