Date:         Sun, 26 Oct 2003 01:49:07 EST
Reply-To:     BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ben T <BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Lug Nuts for Audi 5000 Turbo Wheels
Comments: To: green536@hotmail.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 10/25/2003 9:35:28 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
green536@hotmail.com writes:

<< FYI (just to add to what Ben said; ALL Audi's after'85 have 14mm bolt
diameters. Bolt pattern on Audi wheels with 5 holes is 5x112 which is the
same as our Vanagons. All Audis use ball shaped seats. So do all VW's. This
is of course directly pertaining to stock OEM wheels. >>

Chris, let's not generalize this too much. NOT all Audi's after 85 have the
5X112mm bolt pattern. The VW based Audi TT has a 5X100mm bolt pattern. Ask me
how I know this? Remember those beautiful TT alloys I was selling not too long
ago? I originally bought them for my Syncro. Although I could have easily had
them redrilled to he correct bolt pattern for less than $100, they exposed too
much of their vulnerable centers for off-road use. Take care to check the
seats of the wheels you are contemplating. Some are designed for Allen head
"tuner" lugbolts and do NOT have the same radius as the ballseats on most 14mm
bolts/studs.

<< On the scary side :) I did not lengthen my rear studs for the A4 wheels on
my Van. I have put the van to the test (and no I am not talking about long
freeway driving) and they havent fallen off yet. This of course is
compounded with 5mm spacers too. :) The fronts have spacers that are 25mm
thick and I used Audi bolts to attach them to the spacers. No problem there
either (except for some rubbing which has been cured).>>

As discussed in this forum many times in the past, VW engineers have stated
that you need that 7.5 turns for safe attachment. Though you can surely get
away with much less, there will be less margin for error. I have seen stripped
studs at a local VW shop. On one case the stud exhibited stripping on the 3rd
thread. That told me this guy was only engaged about three turns. I guess that
did not meet with the minimum standard.

Your wheels may not have fallen off on your driving excursions but be careful
driving around tight corners with a full load.

BenT