Date:         Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:05:15 -0700
Reply-To:     BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 14" VW Alloys
Comments: To: Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <c803c1a70806201332p74d7e044h847df0fcb4c7d792@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

On Fri, Jun 20, 2008 at 1:32 PM, Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@gmail.com> wrote:

> Ok, this might seem a dumb question but I have to know.
>
> I won a pair of VW alloys at the Buses by the Beach Benefit back in May.
> I'd
> like to put them on but I'm comfused about the lugs/studs.
>
> It appears that the alloys require lugs with a cone like shape where the
> lugs meets the wheel and most of the ones I received with it are rounder.
> So
> I guess my question with this is does it really matter? Can I use the
> rounder shapeed lugs.
>
> My next question is that some of the hardware are just lug nuts and others
> are lugs with a threaded stud on them. What's with that? Do I need both for
> some reason?
>
> Again I know this may seem a dumb question but it is Friday :)



Jeff,

The 60° conical seat lugnuts and lugbolts are specified by VW so that they
can offer alloy
wheels w/o having to install longer studs. Keep in mind that factory alloy
wheels have a
thicker mounting pad than your stock steel wheels. If you use your stock
ballseat hardware,
you might find that only 2-3 threads are engaged to hold your wheels on.
IIRC, VW specifies
7.5 turns of threads engaged. Besides that, think about the ballseat lugnuts
like a baseball
on a table. Only the very edge is touching. Although that might be a huge
problem on a steel
wheel, I would be very uncomfortable about having only the edge of that hard
steel ball held
against the much softer seat of the alloy wheels.

You can get the 60° seat 14mm 1.5 lugnuts at your FLAPS. I have some SA
factory lugbolts
if you are interested. Better yet, just get some used hardware from someone
with stock alloys.

I have some of these tall lugnuts too:

http://hometown.aol.com/realsf/images/allnutsside.jpg
http://hometown.aol.com/realsf/images/allnutstop.jpg

Where's what ballseat lugnuts look like:

http://hometown.aol.com/realsf/images/cadnuts1.jpg

Compare the conical seat bolts to your shorty steel lugnuts:

http://hometown.aol.com/realsf/images/lugbolt1.jpg



BenT

ps: syncros use lugnuts in front as well.