Date:         Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:59:06 -0700
Reply-To:     BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon alloy wheel question
Comments: To: Chris S <szpejankowski@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <5ebe10a0810301440i3c440c13l56fe528850e01702@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

On Thu, Oct 30, 2008 at 2:40 PM, Chris S <szpejankowski@gmail.com> wrote:

> A friend of mine bought a set of stock 14'' alloys for his '89 Westy.
> He said when he tried to mount them the rear studs were too short.  Is
> there a difference in stud length in alloy-equipped Vanagons?  I know
> the nut seats are different.
>
>
> --
> Chris S.


Chris,

This is an age-old question with plenty of info in the archives. In summary,
the studs in factory alloy
wheel equipped Vanagons are the same as their steel-wheel counterparts. To
compensate for the
thicker mounting pads on alloy wheels, VW resorted to 60° conical seat
lugnuts/bolts. This type of
lugnut/bolt "reaches" into the wheel further than the comparable ballseat
lugntus used on steel wheels.
I this way, VW was able to offer alloy wheels as an option w/o having to
replace studs each time.

Lugnuts are easy to get from your FLAPS or online stores especially since
later model Chevies and
Fords used the same thread pitch. I can help your friend with lugnuts if he
prefers to get them in the
mail. I also have wheel locks on hand.

Regards,

BenT