Can anyone explain why Vintage used very short wheel lug bolts? It looks like they were halved in size? Do other replica builder do the same thing?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
VW bug ones were only a little over 1 1/2" long (40mm) - are they shorter than that? Remember they went into a brake drum with shoes and stuff inside. Lug bolts for disc brakes (and alloy wheels are longer).
Maybe they were saving weight? Must be a slow day in IL (snowed in?)
i had a problem once when changing rim styles,,the longer bolts on the rear interfered with the Ebrake operating on the rear
I just checked in my stash and the late 14mm lug nuts (for the 4x130 mm bolt pattern) steel wheels look exactly like what Greg posted. Threaded length is 3/4", as any longer interferes with shoes, springs, etc (which Greg also mentioned). I suspect the other builders all use stock lug nuts when using steel wheels as well. Al
Steel wheel lug seat isn't thick at all, so short bolts are all that's needed. You'll need at least a half-inch more threads if you switch to alloy wheels. I can't use the stock bolts on my balance adapter with my new aluminum wheels, I bought five longer ones.
All 4 hubs are converted to 14mm studs and 911 lug nuts.