Date:         Tue, 3 Sep 2002 16:08:21 EDT
Reply-To:     BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ben T <BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Syncro-rear wheels
Comments: To: mtbiker62@HOTMAIL.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 9/3/02 11:07:12 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
mtbiker62@HOTMAIL.COM writes:

<< Please! I'm transferring my factory alloys from my "old" Westy to my "new"
 Westy Syncro ('91 to '87). I can see that the rears are going to need longer
 studs/bolts. I've seen some discussion about this topic on here but am
 interested in where to get them. Is it much of a project to remove the drums
 and "beat" out the old studs? (not so much the drum removal but the stud
 removal) >>

Hi Bob,

Let me clarify this for you. You DO NOT need to change studs to use the
factory Carat/Wolfsburg Edition, and South African Caravelle alloy wheels.

The longer studs (no XXX inference) are only required when you use
non-factory wheels or if you are adding spacers. If you will note, your Carat
wheels have a conical lugnut seat. That is how the factory is able to install
wheels with thicker (than steel wheels) mounting pads on stock studs. The
conical lugnuts (bolts for 2wd fronts), "reaches" in further than the
conventional ballseat lugnuts/bolts used in the steel wheel and Audi wheel
applications. The 2wd is the only one which uses longer bolts.

My theory on this is the factory did not want to have to deal with longer
studs, etc., when offering alloy wheels. The way they have it set-up now, you
can easily go back and forth from alloy to steel wheels by simply unbolting
the appropriate lugnuts/bolts.

In summary. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO for your Syncro is just transfer the lugnuts
with the wheels. Ta-dahhhhhh!!!!!! You're done.

BenT
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