[AW607]

I don't think it's been mentioned before, so I'll leave this here.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/image/wheels/wheel_tms_bolts_black_group_1.jpg

Ever since working my recent job, I've discovered how it gets frustrating at times when putting wheels back on a German vehicle because they do not use the conventional stud and lug nut design compared to domestic and Japanese vehicles; they use lug bolts instead. When I was starting out, it took me (admittedly) at least 5 minutes to fiddle around with the wheel because of spinning it around on the hub and lining it up with the holes, and sometimes it falls right off if I don't pay attention.. At the time it took me to do one, I could have done all four wheels on a domestic vehicle :fuuuuu: It's been a couple months since I've worked here and I found it easier to do it quickly, after quite a bit of practice :concentrate:

Does anybody know why German vehicles specifically use lug bolts instead of the common lug nut design that everybody else uses and in correlation with why German vehicles are rather difficult to work on in general? Cost-effectiveness? Convenience? Tradition?

[gripenM]

dont know why...

but i've converted mine to stud/lug setup with these
http://maxcdn.nexternal.com/bimmerworl/images/Stud_PremRace_3001.jpg

[PuYang]

^I'm thinking of doing the conversion too. Any advice or opinions to share?

[donjalapeno]

germans always like to do the opposite of what everyone else does. This is the thing that pisses me off the most,

in manual mode, gear up is actually gear down.

http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimages/294160/8138-BMW-X3-SILVER-STEPTRONIC.jpg

when in domestic/imports its normal.

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSLXYYyOHvJvKTxg3-ds_qO83H9UctUNnTDPSd4pzq7DEfvZkHMSQxHBUgVnw

[ALEX1988]

I am going to do the studs conversion too, already ordered some studs and lug nuts.

[BraedenDA]

I actually just started my new job as well and have noticed that too. Frustrating until it goes on then I congratulate myself :p generally they have a certain way to go on as the tire should sit on a hook of some sort

[1990TSI]

It's part of Hitlers master plan

I've been dealing with this shit for way too long.

I'd be happy if I never worked on a german car again

[mb_]

Can't answer your question but I work at a dealership that deals with mostly German vehicles.

The techs use these after they take a wheel off so it's easier to put it back :concentrate:

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/NEW-PORSCHE-WHEEL-MOUNTING-GUIDE-BOLT-/00/$(KGrHqR,!hoE4!1bTTwoBOH8RB2n-!~~_3.JPG

So it'll look like this after the wheel is off..

http://www.suncoastparts.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/threadedbolt.jpg

BTW OP where do you work if you don't mind me asking?

[loong]

not clue, but after doing the stud conversion on my e46 i could never live with lug bolts again.

[godwin]

It is actually quite standardized there are only 2 sizes M12 or M14 and it is not only the Germans but the Europeans. It offers more flexibility wheel sizing. You never snap a bolt vs a stud.


Does anybody know why German vehicles specifically use lug bolts instead of the common lug nut design that everybody else uses and in correlation with why German vehicles are rather difficult to work on in general? Cost-effectiveness? Convenience? Tradition?

[gripenM]

^I'm thinking of doing the conversion too. Any advice or opinions to share?

just buy quality stud/lugs
so much science behind nuts and bolts..
not all studs are created equal

those ones i got in particular reduces stress risers by having larger diameter shoulder for the stud to bottom out on the hub
also, the bullet nose will keep the lugs from ever getting cross threaded.

and ideally, stud/lugs as well as wheel bolts should be replaced every couple years..

[XTC_604_DKNY]

ya i got fed up with the regular lug bolts, so i bought stud kit. Just need to buy myself a set of lug/lock nuts now...

[kwy]

Meh, doesn't take me much more time than with conventional ones.

[supremematt85]

germans always like to do the opposite of what everyone else does. This is the thing that pisses me off the most,

in manual mode, gear up is actually gear down.

http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimages/294160/8138-BMW-X3-SILVER-STEPTRONIC.jpg

when in domestic/imports its normal.

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSLXYYyOHvJvKTxg3-ds_qO83H9UctUNnTDPSd4pzq7DEfvZkHMSQxHBUgVnw

Because of hard acceleration that naturally pushes your body back, so its easier to upshift by going with the force rather than against it. When you're decelerating, your body is pushed forward thus, naturally pushing forward on the stick downshifts.

Also all sequential gearboxes uses push to downshift and pull to upshift

Revolution FD3S RX-7 laps Tsukuba in 53.6 (HD) - YouTube

[AVS_Racing]

lug bolts :fuckthatshit:

[Mr.C]

No issues with the lug bolts.

And I love the steptronic being pull to shift up, push to shift down. So much more intuitive.

[320icar]

Where do you get lug conversions for not a crazy price? Once I get back into BMW I dont want to deal with those damn bolts. I dealt with it for years...

So where to get 90mm M12x1.5 studs?

[1990TSI]

I'd love to be a vw owner on the side of the highway at 3am with a flat tire. that would be a ton of fun.

[westopher]

Its really not that difficult to change a tire, regardless of stud or bolt. Especially if your wheels fit. (hub centric) Once spacers are involved its a bit of a bitch, but really......come on. I think my gti has a wheel hanger in the kit anyway.

[yray]

190E :troll: I had more problems taking the wheel off than the lug nuts. I know you're suppose to take a 2x4 into it but whacking the wheel off on car jacks :heckno:

[AW607]

BTW OP where do you work if you don't mind me asking?

I work at a Kal Tire :toot:

[daval]

Lucky Audi comes with the plastic wheel hangers, I don't know about other Euro makes though.

With the wheel hangers is much easier.

[TopsyCrett]

I thought I was the only one...

Atleast my new wheels are alot easier to put on since there is no centre cap and I can align the wheel to the hub much easier.

[OTG-ZR2]

German cars?

No thanks.

[dangonay]

Have literally re:re'd thousands of German wheels - never had a problem getting them back on. Never bothered with hangers - can do it quicker without.

Only real use for a hanger is changing a flat at night when it's hard to see.

[dn53]

How about vw's when you're trying to put the wheel on and the holes in the rotors shift and they don't align in the hub? LOL frustrating as fuck

[AWDTurboLuvr]

How about vw's when you're trying to put the wheel on and the holes in the rotors shift and they don't align in the hub? LOL frustrating as fuck

E-brake for the rear, and a brick or a friend to step on the brake pedal for the front.

I have a stud conversion for the MINI, makes it much easier to swap at the track.

[PuYang]

Hi, lol, I love that you guys are bringing this topic up, because I have so many questions that are driving me crazy lol!

I recently bought my GTI, and came from a Honda Prelude (M12 Lug Nuts).

I've actually done alot of searching for Stud conversions, so i found a few places or names to get them, incase anyone else here are also looking into this.

Also, if anyone here with experience can share where they bought them from? so the rest of us can know a good/reliable/durable option for these?

AND, here is my question lol! has anyone here done a M14 to M12 stud conversion? to run M12 sized lug nuts? since M12 nuts are so much more common, and have many more options? Any downside to doing this?

anyways, heres the list of places I have found. hope this lists helps people here ;D! add to the list! hehehe

EZ Accessory
Wheel Stud Screw Type (http://www.ezaccessory.com/category_s/173.htm)

JH motorsports
JH Motorsports Inc. (http://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catalog/wheel-stud-and-nut-kit-034-m14-each-p-354.html?cPath=21_56_60_119_121&osCsid=vr00kjpr3lenlh30t8vposa3i2)

Bildon
Bildon Motorsport - Volkswagen Racing Parts (http://www.bildon.com/catalog/results.cfm?category=Suspension&SubCategory=Wheel%20Studs/Nuts&Nav=10)

Wheel Dude
Wheel Studs - Wheeldude.com - Professional wheel dealer. (http://www.wheeldude.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=176_498)

034 Motorsport
Wheel Stud and Nut Kit, M14x1.5 - 034Motorsport | Performance Parts for Audi, Porsche, and Volkswagen (http://www.034motorsport.com/chassis-components-audi-40008090urq-wheel-stud-and-nut-kit-m14x15-p-18227.html)

Raderwerks
wheel stud | Raderwerks (http://www.raderwerks.com/parts/wheel-stud)

Ringer Racing
Wheel studs - Ringer Racing (http://www.ringer-racing.com/category.sc?categoryId=37)

[daval]

Is very common, go check vwvortex

[TOPEC]

the only positive i know of using bolts vs stud + nut is when u strip the bolt, u can replace the bolt easily where as in a stud + nut case, ull have to re&re the rotors/calipers + whatevers in place to re&re a new stud in place of the stripped one

[Yodamaster]

Wheel bolts? The least of your problems with German cars, you should check out German interior clips, fuck that shit.

But it's also why I love owning MK2's, lots of character.

[RRxtar]

the only positive i know of using bolts vs stud + nut is when u strip the bolt, u can replace the bolt easily where as in a stud + nut case, ull have to re&re the rotors/calipers + whatevers in place to re&re a new stud in place of the stripped one
what if you pull the threads out of the hub when you strip the bolt. then what?

stud/nut you can hammer the studs out and replace them.

[falcon]

germans always like to do the opposite of what everyone else does. This is the thing that pisses me off the most,

in manual mode, gear up is actually gear down.

http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimages/294160/8138-BMW-X3-SILVER-STEPTRONIC.jpg

when in domestic/imports its normal.

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSLXYYyOHvJvKTxg3-ds_qO83H9UctUNnTDPSd4pzq7DEfvZkHMSQxHBUgVnw

Actually, if you ever have driven a car with an actual sequential dogbox, you would realize that your "right way" is infact the wrong way. Up shift is always a pull. Downshift is push.

[Peturbo]

I used to love german cars when I was young, didn't own my own car, and didn't do any work on cars. As I grew older and started learning more and more about cars, actually started working on them, I started to really hate german cars.
Germans do have some great drivers cars though.
Personally hate working on VW/Audi the most.

[!SG]

learned a cool easy trick by my tech to put wheels back on german cars fast...

leave 5 lugs in the wheel lug holes, lift wheel onto hub while keeping wheel as vertical as possible and one hand with fingers spread over the bolt holes, put a socket on one of the lug bolts, turn the wheel onto hub a little bit until the lug bolt pushes through, tighten, and done.

tried it myself to proove it couldnt be that simple, but it works. fails only if you run aftermarket wheels with different hub sizing.

i still like my japanese wheel studs...

[FOB Mainlander]

I do my own summer and winter wheels change over and never have a problem.

[seakrait]

Actually, if you ever have driven a car with an actual sequential dogbox, you would realize that your "right way" is infact the wrong way. Up shift is always a pull. Downshift is push.

I agree. But unfortunately on my 2012 VW golf wagon, it's push UP and pull DOWN. Frustrating and irritating as it's so counterintuitive. They probably did it to cater to the North American market. :facepalm:

Wonder if there's a way to flip things around and change it. :concentrate:

[Peturbo]

I do my own summer and winter wheels change over and never have a problem.

Nothing too hard about it, Just a pain in the ass compared to american and japanese cars that have lugs.

[AW607]

Nothing too hard about it, Just a pain in the ass compared to american and japanese cars that have lugs.

x100000

a bit more of a pain in the ass and a bit more time spent lining stuff up if you don't have hangers or adapters, rather than you can just throw it on and spin the nuts on studs