What's the difference between open end and closed end lug nuts?

BTW please don't just tell me that one is open and one is closed...

 

Well, I hate to tell you this but that's exactly what they are. Open ended lug nuts have no top on them, and closed ended lug nuts are covered.

 

That made my day.

 

Open ended lugs are generally used with extended wheel studs to ensure that they don't bottom out. Open ended lugs are lighter weight as well.

 

Yeah I pretty much figured that... I guess I can't picture a lug with no top on it. Got a picture?

EDIT: NM on the picture, I found one. Is there any advantage/disadvantage to having an open ended lug nut vice a closed ended one? Or is this just aesthetics/personal preference?

EDIT #2: LOL I didn't see the post above this one... Thanks for the insight.

 

I normally use the closed end lug nuts on my street setup. For the track, I use the open ended lug nuts so I can visually inspect the tightness on the lug nuts more easily.

 

I'm curious, but how can one visually decipher how tight a lug is by looking at it?

 

You can see the studs thru the open end. For example, if the studs were flushed with the top of the lug nuts at some point (start of an autocross run, prior to driving on a long trip, etc.) and you noticed at a later time (while preparing for the next run, while refilling gas, etc.) that the studs are no longer flushed with the top of the lug nuts, then that's a sign that the lug nuts are loose and they need to be re-torqued. On a closed end lug nut, you will not notice this unless you physically check each one.

 

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