Why Lug Bolts? - Page 2

Zeke · 05-06-2012, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnco

it's not a new thing... my 57 buick has lug bolts. 9/16's lug bolts

Yeah, I remember a few cars that had them besides VW's. I always thought they were retarded.

johnco · 05-06-2012, 08:34 AM

and some are right hand threads one side, left hand threads the other side

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Porsche did the Boxster like that to go back to their 914 roots

aigel · aigel's Garage

Just rotated the wheels on my TDI doing the 40k service today. Wheel bolts - what a PITA! I came here to see if the board had any past wisdom on the reason for bolts over studs. It is what I thought ...

I want to continue to run this car on a budget, meaning maintenance and repairs only, no mods, but a stud conversion is high on the list now.

G

johnco · 01-12-2014, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aigel

I want to continue to run this car on a budget, meaning maintenance and repairs only, no mods, but a stud conversion is high on the list now.

G

changed from lug bolts to studs on my old fiat spyder long ago when I changed to custom wheels. had a flat one night 100 miles out of town, changed it and about 50 miles closer to home that wheel passed me up doing 70 on an unlit 2 lane blacktop, jumped a canal and ended up in the swamp. 3 of the studs had stripped out when the wheels were installed with an impact wrench at the tire shop. had to drive it home with about 1/2" of rear rotor ground flat from the road and 1 lug nut tight and 1 hand tight. rotor made some pretty sparks before I finally stopped.

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

I read an article in a Mercedes publication that said in their research showed bolts were more reliable and stronger. They said studs sometimes get a crack and the user will never see it until it breaks. I don't remember all the details but Mercedes thinks they are a better solution to holding on the wheels.

aschen · 01-13-2014, 05:42 AM

Lotus has them, I dont mint them a bit because the wheels ar hubcentric and small/light. I think my opinon would change if it had 19/335

onewhippedpuppy · 01-13-2014, 05:48 AM

Try using bolts when you have spacers, as I have on my 996. Three sets of holes to align. I just picked up a threaded stud to minimize the cursing.

BReif61 · 01-13-2014, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Try using bolts when you have spacers, as I have on my 996. Three sets of holes to align. I just picked up a threaded stud to minimize the cursing.

Wasn't there one in the toolkit?

mikesride · mikesride's Garage

22" rims on my last audi.....they provide you with a little plastic thread in dowel that broke the first time I used it.....It was pretty cold out that day but come on couldn't you at lest make it outta steel????

john70t · 01-13-2014, 05:16 PM

Studs use two points of attachment(m/f threads), versus one for bolts.

Flieger · Flieger's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by john70t

Studs use two points of attachment(m/f threads), versus one for bolts.

No, studs are pressed into the hub.

john70t · 01-13-2014, 05:28 PM

Thank you.
john70t <-----fail
(and yes I've replaced them many times. mind was elsewhere)

aigel · aigel's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I read an article in a Mercedes publication that said in their research showed bolts were more reliable and stronger. They said studs sometimes get a crack and the user will never see it until it breaks. I don't remember all the details but Mercedes thinks they are a better solution to holding on the wheels.

I can't see how they are "stronger", but I do think the crack story does make sense.

I'll get a stud in the right thread size to make it easier next time. It is the fronts that suck most, the rears have more of a hub the wheel grabs onto.

G