My LC wheels are secured by Lug Nuts. Recently Lexus has switched from Lug nuts to Lug Bolts on its models including the LC and now you need two yellow tools to assist when changing wheels with Lug Bolts Why did Lexus change? Is it because it was less expenseive as now they just need Lug Bolts vs Bolts Studs and Lug Nuts? I remember one time changing a tire in college, the lug nut was stripped locked on the Bolt Stud and when trying to take it off, the Bolt stud broke. Good news was the Bolt stud was easy to replace. With these New Lug Bolts, if the tire shop puts too much torque or strips the LugBult into the hub, it would seem like an expensive fix.

Thoughts? What are the Pros and Cons of this change from Lug Nuts to Lug Bolts?.

 

Actually, you only need one "yellow tool" which assists getting the wheel aligned properly. It can also be done without the tool, but is more convenient with the tool.

 

1 will work but easier if 2,,I use the ones from my old 17 911..pretty much a correct thread bolt with the top removed.

 

Toyota/Lexus has two different yellow tools. One is the Pin that goes into the wheel hub to help you hang the tire and the second is the one that holds the Lug Bolt to hand tighten.

 

You don't need any tools necessarily. If you can lift the wheel high enough you can push it right onto the hubring and set it there then rotate it until the bolt holes line up. Since the wheels are hubcentric you can do this using the hub ring. The pin makes it easier though.

 

Just asked OpenAI’s Latest Model ChatGPT 5 Thinking which replaces the 03 model.

This is what it said:

Short answer: for rigidity and weight.

Lexus started switching some models from studs + lug nuts to hub bolts around 2021 because hub bolts give a stiffer, lighter wheel fastening. On the 2021 IS, Lexus said hub bolts improve fastening strength, increase chassis rigidity, and cut about 2 lb of unsprung mass, which helps steering feel, braking, and ride. On the all-new NX, Lexus again called out the change, noting a ~0.7 kg (≈1.5 lb) unsprung-weight reduction with hub bolts.



Toyota and Lexus then rolled this out across more platforms (it’s not universal yet). Toyota/Lexus service bulletins note that some 2021–2024 Lexus and some 2023–2024 Toyota models use hub bolts instead of studs/nuts (examples include IS, NX, RX, TX on the Lexus side; and Prius, RAV4, Crown, Tundra/Tacoma, etc., on the Toyota side).





What that means for owners

• Pros: a bit less unsprung weight and potentially more consistent clamping/rigidity (the reasons Lexus gives).
• Cons: mounting wheels is fussier without guide studs, and wheel/fastener compatibility matters (seat shape, bolt length). Toyota/Lexus warn that mismatched wheels/bolts can lead to loss of clamping—so stick to the correct hardware.

 

Lexus press release claims that "By using hub bolts with washers to fasten the wheels, we have achieved excellent handling performance by strengthening fastening force and reducing unsprung mass."

If you want to know more about the physical differences and precautions that should be taken when servicing different wheel and wheel fastener types, read Lexus Technical Service Information Bulletin L-SB-0037-23: Understanding Hub Bolts and Hub Nuts.

 

Thank You! Appreciate the Lexus Technical Service Information Bulletin as well!

 

So, I'm going to ask a dumb question.... Is it worth it to swap hubs if your car currently has lug nuts, to using the newer hubs that use lug bolts? Is there going to be a real-world benefit to doing so? OR is it better to do the swap once you have to replace the hubs after X-milage/years...etc?

Thanks,
-Nigel

 

It is not worth swapping either way really. The only reason anyone does a stud conversion to go from bolts to nuts is if they want to fit an OEM wheel that is designed to work with flat seat lug nuts, as nobody makes a flat seat lug bolt.

If you want to fit a wheel designed for lug bolts to a studded hub, you can buy the correct seated lug nuts to do so.

There is no real world difference between the two systems of wheel fastening.