Dear all, can anybody tell me what this thing is please? I found it next to the spare wheelof my 2010 XF. I assume that it is something to do with the wheel, or a wheel nut or something similar. Thank you.

 

It's 3 in 1:




1 = splined wheel stud (one of five normally fitted through the hub) - RED
2 = wheel nut - GREEN
3 = socket - BLUE

The socket could be worth keeping.

Check your nuts and see if you are one short.

Graham

 

Dear Graham, thanks for the prompt response! I'm not missing any nuts on any wheels. The socket appears to be seized in place. I could unscrew what you've told me is the stude, but what you tell me is the nut seems to be seized together with the socket. I'll soak them in release oil and see if I can seperate them.
Yours,
Peter (born in County Durham)

 

Peter you will be WAY ahead if you change all 20 of the sorry factory sheet metal capped lug nuts. We have many, many threads about the problems these cause. Do it now before your stranded someplace!

Here is a quick search and it returned 215 threads!! Read a few and solid replacements are available from many places. I spent about $100 to replace all 20 of them with solid metal versions. No sheet metal caps!
Lug Nuts

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Thank you for replying. What specification would I need for replacement nuts? I can look on Ebay or Amazon here in the UK, as long as I know size, thread etc. Lots of those linked to either are no longer available or are in the US, whereas I am in the Uk.
Thanks
Peter

 

A strange thing to leave in the vehicle. Presumably had a broken stud at some time, the PO intended to free the socket and throw the rest away then forgot about it. Odd because the stud comes out from the hub backwards so the nut has to be off before it can be pressed out.

County Durham is distinctly chilly and damp today so you're not missing much.

Graham