lug nut with 1" spacer question

[bmgmd]

Hey All-

I just put in 1" spacers (actually they're adapters; pics to come soon).

My factory "over the lug nut" wheel lock (see pic below) could not be put back on, meaning that the adapter's bolts were longer than factory.

I am concerned that the wheel is not tight with the other lug nuts but all nuts did torque to 95 ft-lbs. There was no noticeable vibration when I shook the wheel while the car was on jack stands.

Questions:
Any thoughts on how to check if the nuts are fully tightened properly?
Should I just look for open-ended lug nuts?
If so, are there open-lug nuts endorsed or made by Porsche?

Thanks,

Brian

[cantdrv55]

Not sure if our host carries open-ended lug nuts but I know PartsHeaven does.

[Joe Bob]

The one in the pic with the arrow is the lock nut...but should tighten down to the same specs. I hate the alloys as I have on many occasions helped people try and remove the base when the tops crack off.

All my cars run open heads....

[livi]

I have open ended lug nuts - and a similar problem after installing spacers. The bolts are to short, so I only get about 8- 9 turns on the nut. Wheels have not fallen off yet though.

[Kroggers]

Where did you get the open ended lug nuts from Markus? I am thinking about the same for my RUFs.

[emac]

Brian
I didn't see your post before I posted mine--I thought I was reading my own. Anyway when you mounted yours did your original studs stick out past the adaptor. Mine do about 1/4" and I really dont want my wheel sitting on five studs.

[cashflyer]

Originally posted by Kroggers
Where did you get the open ended lug nuts from Markus? I am thinking about the same for my RUFs.

Are they really that hard to find?
I bought a bunch from AutoZone for just over a buck a piece.

[bkreigsr]

short alloy (alum) ones are difficult to find.
most of the open-ended alloy ones on ebay are actually the locking ones with the keyway drilled out & gutted.

Brian, put some chalk or lipstick on the end of the stud to see if the nut is bottoming out.

[Miguel Antonett]

You MUST have as a minimum the diameter of the stud/bolt engagement of threads to be safe and achieve the proper SAFETY margin, even with the right torque applied (i.e. if you have a 10mm diameter bolt you must have as a minimum 10mm on threads engagement). If not, you have to install a longer stud. Don't compromise be safe.

[Dgraphic911]

grind 1/8 of an ich of the bolt and your nut will sit flush, I'm sure you have enough meat, ussually the spacers are made with different quality bolts that OEM and the ends is just manufacturing mush, Finish it of nice and claen and you'll seat like a champ. I've done this on about 15 different sets, After popping the ends out on a complete ste of nuts

[livi]

Yes, I fear you are right Miguel. I will sort it asap.

Pål, they came with the car, so to speak.

[JBO]

Wouldn't open ended nuts look terrible on Fuchs with exposed bolts?

[livi]

Sure, give it that raw, racer kind of look..

[bmgmd]

Thanks for all the responses.

Ernie- my stock bolts had enough thread to place the nuts on but were not too long to touch the wheel (I think; I may need to use bkreigsr's idea for those bolts also).

Cashflyer- I was thinking the same thing. I might check PepBoys.

bkreigsr- Great idea about the chalk/lipstick. I guess I should do that while my wife is out of town...

Miguel- I have enough thread; my problem is that the aluminum bolts might be too long.

Dgraphic911- Good idea but I was looking for an easier way out.

JBO- I agree, especially since my fronts don't need them. That's why I'm trying to use the stock nuts.

[Zeke]

Originally posted by cashflyer
Are they really that hard to find?
I bought a bunch from AutoZone for just over a buck a piece.

I think you should check the shape of the nuts you bought to make sure they are a true semi-sphere and not parabolic (acorn type) in shape. I get my steel nuts at the VW shop. I don't remember after owning a dozen+ older vdubs, but I guess they use the same spherical shape even on the steel wheels. They will run closer to $2 ea.

If you got some VW nuts at a buck ea., you did good.

[Wil Ferch]

Pelican sells open lug nuts for less than $2 each...same as VW transporter lug nuts.

I will bet money that the Autozone piece ( probably for a Chevy truck) has a coned surface...not the semi-circle hemisphere *required* for the Fuchs !!

Wil

[Wil Ferch]

Also..as to thread engagement.. I agree in general fastener principle that number of threads engaged should equal bolt diameter.... but look what Porsche is doing nowadays...5-6 turns for a 14 mm x1.5 mm pitch wheel bolt !! -->

996 wheel bolt...5 threads engage ??

- Wil

[bmgmd]

just as a follow-up, i used bkreigsr technique and the stock alloy nuts fit with room to spare at the head.

so i took it out for a spin to let it settle. looks really good...

BUT have rear driver wheel rub!!!

height of driver rear fender is 25", height of passenger rear fender is 24 7/8" (no rub on the passenger side).

rears both have -2.4 camber

looks like another project coming up... rolling rear fenders...

thanks all,

brian

[Kroggers]

Originally posted by livi
Sure, give it that raw, racer kind of look..

You got any pics??

[livi]

Pål,

I am on call at the hospital this nice weekend (again), but I´ll try to dig out a pic or two tonight.

Then again, its about time, sometime this summer, you showed up down south at my place - to have a look-see for your self.