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Date:         Tue, 18 Apr 2000 08:36:46 -0700
Reply-To:     Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Davidson <wdavidson@THEGRID.NET>
Subject:      Re: Need Alloy Lug Nuts/NAPA
Comments: To: Merrag@AOL.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Raul, This is good information, but I would add the caution to those considering this: I have had the misfortune of having lug nuts that don't have the correct angle on the face (on a non-VW vehicle). The result was that when they were installed with an air wrench they dug into my aluminum wheels and at highway speeds I had a terrible vibration... due to the wheel not being snugged down perfectly because of the imperfect fit of the lug nuts... The whole thing was a real hassle. So for those contemplating following Raul's advice... make very sure you get it right... check and double check... (and avoid air guns on you lug nuts) Bill -----Original Message----- From: Raul Cisneros <Merrag@AOL.COM> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Date: Tuesday, April 18, 2000 8:24 AM Subject: Re: Need Alloy Lug Nuts/NAPA

Last year I needed a full set of these pricy puppies and found a way around the cost; I found that NAPA auto parts stores sell 14 mm thread lug nuts intentioned for some GM trucks. They are really beefy and sell for around $1.50, however, the face-the part that seats to the rim is tapered at a different angle than the alloys I was using (SA “wolfsburg” 15"). So I bought a bunch, then had my father who happens to have a metal lathe cut the angle to 56 degrees. You could probably find a machine shop who'll do the same for probably not too much. In turning these on the lathe, we chucked a 14 mm threaded bolt, shimmed it perfectly staight, then just screwed the nuts on and off, with perfect alignment each time. I found that slow cutting produced a better finish. I've had them on for almost a year, they work great. I'm assuming that the standard vanagon 14" alloys have the same nut taper? Measure and cut, then adjust/test and cut again.

Raúl Cisneros 87 Syncro Westy 86 Syncro GL 87 Syncro GL (parts) 97 Subaru outback 89 Saab 900 (Wifes, getting new headgasket because it was jealous of the waterleakers)


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