Bolts and nuts for cast wheels and their difference from stamped ones

About bolts. In the photo there are two types of bolts: “short” and “long”.

“Short” ones are intended for fastening wheels on stamped-welded disks, and “long” ones are for fastening cast and forged disks. Bolts for “stampings” have a shorter threaded part and a smaller bolt head compared to long ones.

Wheel bolts are used by European car manufacturers. Nuts are used in the Japanese and Korean automotive industries. When choosing mounting elements, you should have an idea of ​​their technical features.

Types of fasteners

Here are the types of fasteners needed for alloy wheels:

1. Bolts are metal rods with a screw thread at the end. Used to connect detachable elements.
2. Nuts are round-shaped parts designed to fasten elements by screwing a metal die onto threaded rods.

Steel, aluminum or titanium alloys are used to produce products.

Titanium bolts are distinguished by high quality indicators. Black bolts for alloy wheels are made from steel with the addition of molybdenum or steel with a chrome or nickel coating.

What are the wheel bolts called?

December 11, 2022, 11:00 8868
A logical continuation of the topic of selecting wheel fasteners is the selection of wheel studs and nuts. The main difference between stud-mounted wheels and bolted ones is that there are 2 components involved in securing a wheel with studs. Directly, the wheel stud is what is pressed into the hub and sticks out of it, and the wheel nut is what is screwed onto the stud after installing the wheel. The selection of each fastening component is carried out separately.

A pair of stud-nuts for fastening wheels is used on the vast majority of cars of Japanese, Korean and American origin. The bolts discussed in the previous article are on European brands.

Characteristics of bolts and nuts

Bolts and nuts differ in design features, so the choice is determined by the type of disk. The stamped disc is made from a durable type of steel. Moreover, it has a small thickness at the point of attachment to the central part of the rotating part. For an optimal connection, the bolt and nut must have a flat surface. The composition of cast wheels includes relatively light alloys. They have reduced reliability characteristics. The fastening system of the products is made in the form of a cone.

Thread

When purchasing bolts, you should pay attention to the threaded part. Not all elements have the same thread pitch. More often there are hardware with a thread pitch of 1.25 and 1.5 mm with a diameter of 12 or 14 mm. It is recommended to purchase new wheel bolts complete with rims or take into account the requirements of the car manufacturer's instructions.

Thread length

To select a bolt of the required length, the easiest way is to try it on site. This technique does not work if the bolt is coated with a coating that is difficult to scratch. Then another option will do; you will need to count the number of revolutions when unscrewing the old bolt. Next, the length of the threaded pin is divided by the resulting figure. The result will be the required length of the fastener.

By size, fasteners are divided into:

• short - used for fixing stamped disk products;
• long - used for tire mounting of alloy wheels.

Pressing surface

In accordance with the classification by landing zone, fasteners are distinguished:

• with a spherical connecting part;
• with a cone-shaped clamping part. Models are produced with and without gaps in the pressure zone. The size of the headrests is 1.3 millimeters.

Many motorists wonder what would be most suitable - a cone or a sphere. In each individual case, in order to select bolts for alloy wheels, it is recommended to seek help from a professional. He will advise what will be better.

Wheel studs

So, wheel studs, and we’ll start with them, have 3 fundamental parameters:

• diameter and thread pitch,
• length,
• diameter of the driving part.

The last parameter is the most important, because it is with this part that the stud is pressed into the hub. It is necessary to select the driving part of the stud with an accuracy of hundredths. A discrepancy of 0.05 mm can lead to the fact that the stud will hold loosely in the hub and will turn during the next installation. Or, if the driving part is larger, it will not fit into the driving hole of the hub.

There is no point in talking about self-selection - the size of the stud depends solely on the make and model of the car. It is not uncommon for the studs on the rear and front axles to be different, either in the drive part or in length, even in the same car. Therefore, advice from our store is to order wheel studs in the original design or high-quality analogues in specialized stores, where they will help you with the selection. The second option is economically more profitable, but will be fully justified only if there is no doubt about the competence of the seller and the quality of the goods he sells.

What is a bolt pattern

Bolt pattern - indicators indicating the correspondence of the sizes of bolts and disks. The information is useful for searching for disk products. Based on the data, identical holes are found on new disks. The number of recesses is between three and six pieces, but the diameter and distance indicators differ for each manufacturer.

How to measure yourself

Measurements must be as accurate as possible, since the indicators differ in close values ​​with a distance of a couple of millimeters, for example, 98 and 100 or 110 and 112, and they are not interchangeable. To eliminate errors, it is recommended to use a caliper or ruler.

Adjacent holes

Here's how to determine the distance between bolt holes. The dimensions of the circle on which the holes are located are taken. The diameter is determined using compatibility tables or by measuring using a ruler. The resulting distance between adjacent fasteners should be multiplied by a factor that depends on the number of holes. The circumference of a VAZ is 9.8 cm, and that of passenger cars is 139.7 millimeters.

Far holes

A simple measurement method is carried out on models with an even number of recesses - for 4, 6, 8 fasteners. Parallel Hole Distance – PCD.

And here’s how the far holes of disks with five bolts are measured: the calculation is made between non-adjacent recesses, the resulting figure should be multiplied by 1.051.

Hub window diameter

Indicative data for the central hub window are indicated in the table and in the complete bolt pattern formula. In the absence of information, readings are measured with a ruler or caliper. The diameter of the hub area on the VAZ 2110 = 58.6 mm.

The bolt pattern is carried out taking into account the relative size of the vertical axis of symmetry of the disk to the area adjacent to the hub.

What to do if the wheel bolt does not come off

Some car enthusiasts do not know what to do if the fasteners do not move. The first step is to put the vehicle on the handbrake and make sure that the vehicle is stationary. A stuck bolt can be unscrewed in the following ways:

1. Leverage method. Due to the insufficient length of the wheel wrench handle, it is not possible to turn the bolt with the required force. It's easy and safe to use a wrench handle extension or a long-handled tool. Such a device will increase the strength of the mechanical influence. Experienced motorists recommend using a metal pipe to lengthen the handle.
2. Use your leg strength. If you cannot unscrew the bolt by hand, you need to try pressing the tool with your foot. The handle of the wrench should be parallel to the surface of the ground. You will need to press the key with your foot and turn it counterclockwise. In extreme cases, you will need to stand on the key with both feet and hold on to the car body with your hands.
3. Use a hammer or mallet. You will need to pick up both tools, place the mallet in the right place and hit it with a hammer. This option will help move the threads of a frozen nut. In extreme cases, a hammer can replace a stone. Avoid glancing impacts that damage the bolt and key. The blows must be accurate.
4. Using a wrench with a dynamometer. If the wheel fasteners have been secured too tightly, it is recommended to use a tool with a dynamometer. Recommended force parameters are indicated in the device instructions.
5. Use of chemical compounds. If the bolts are too tight, Liquid Wrench or PB Blaster should be used. Apply the product to the bolt using a watering can with a thin spout. After waiting 10 minutes, dismantling begins.

Full and abbreviated bolt pattern formula

Manufacturers provide detailed wording that reflects all important meanings. Motorists use abbreviations that do not fully describe the product.

Abbreviated

PCD (Pitch Circle Diameter) is a short formulation that includes two parameters. It is indicated: 4×98 – wheel bolt pattern on a VAZ-2110. The number of four indicates the number of bolt recesses. The number 98 was obtained as a result of the transverse method of measuring their circumference.

Full

Let's look at an example: the full bolt pattern formula is indicated on the rim: 7.5 J×15 H2 5×100 ET 40 D 54.1.

Decoding of alphanumeric groups means:

• 5 JX 15 – rim width 7.5 inches and diameter 15 inches;
• X – indicates that the disc is made by casting or forging;
• J – it is recommended to use the product on single-wheel drive vehicles;
• JJ – marking of all-wheel drive models;
• H2 – the number of protrusions that secure the tires. Models with one protrusion - H1. Absence of protrusions - marking AN;
• Hump ​​- indicates high-quality rubber retention; this feature eliminates depressurization.

Consequences from another bolt pattern

Using inappropriate bolts is a safety hazard. When a bolt pattern occurs, an axial displacement of the entire wheel relative to the hub occurs. At high speeds, the wheel spins unevenly, the car will shake, which is accompanied by a beating in the steering wheel.

When installing wheels, car enthusiasts often encounter such a problem as a discrepancy in the diameter of the fasteners. In this case, eccentric bolts with a movable conical part are suitable, which will eliminate discrepancies in size.

Eccentrics

Standard fasteners have a hexagon shape, a threaded part and a conical clamping part. A unique characteristic of disc eccentric bolts is their floating cone with an offset center of gravity.

The degree of displacement can range up to 1 mm

The axial distance between holes may vary. The standards for this PCD indicator are varied and not always fully thought out. The result is vibration while driving. This makes it more likely that bearings, levers and rubber bands will fail faster. For such cases, the ideal solution would be to use eccentrics. Thanks to the movable cone, a gap is formed between the inner and outer diameters.

Tightening fasteners on alloy wheels

Before installing the bolts into the mounting recesses, it is recommended to treat the hardware with graphite lubricant. As a result, when it comes into contact with the disk, the head of the bolt or nut will rotate and make full contact. This will prevent blocking during starting power due to friction between the disc and the mounting system. Bolts are produced that compensate for minimal deviations in fastener dimensions. A loose connection will lead to cyclical failures in the fastening system; the bolts and nuts will begin to unscrew themselves.

Maintenance and replacement of studs

Wheel studs do not require special care and maintenance, however, like any threaded fastener, they require compliance with some recommendations:

• When installing wheels, tightening the nuts should be done with a certain torque recommended for this vehicle model. If you tighten too much, the thread may break; if you tighten too weakly, the risk of loosening the fastener increases;
• To screw in and turn out both the nuts and the studs themselves, you should use only the tool intended for this purpose (wheel wrenches and others);
• For each wheel you should use only its own studs - a certain length, with right or left thread, etc.

Locking bolts for alloy wheels

Secret bolts for alloy wheels are another subtype. If you install locks, car tires will be protected from theft. You won't be able to remove the wheel with a regular wrench. To unwind the secrets, you will need a key that comes with them in one set.

When selecting fasteners for wheels, you should remember that cast products are relatively thick. Accordingly, longer bolts are selected for them than for stamped discs.

Many, especially novice, car enthusiasts, when certain situations arise, are interested in questions - where to buy bolts for wheels or where to buy bolts for wheels? However, despite all the apparent simplicity, the answers to these questions are not so clear.

The fact is that the modern automotive industry is very diverse. Accordingly, there are a large number of manufacturers and brands of cars. And almost every manufacturer produces wheel bolts that are suitable specifically for the vehicles they produce.

Therefore, before purchasing, you definitely need to read the information from the car’s registration certificate, which indicates which wheel bolts are used in your car. Well, you need to buy bolts for disks in accordance with this information.

The second important question is where to buy wheel bolts? The answer to this question is much easier. The Sekretki-spacers.rf store offers its customers wheel bolts, nuts, locks and other products. We draw your attention to the fact that the catalog contains only premium products. This means that when purchasing a product from us, you are purchasing excellent quality spare parts that are guaranteed to serve you for many years. You will find detailed information in the product catalogue.

Hello dear Drivers, it’s time to change the car’s shoes from casting to stamps. And the first thing every car owner thinks about is whether the bolts will fit. Everything is very simple. For casting we have long bolts from 28, 30, 33 mm.

But on stamped wheels these bolts will be larger and will touch the brake system elements in the drums of the rear wheels. So what kind of bolts exist? and how to choose them?

The first thing you can start with is which bolts are suitable for VAZ cars. Depending on the type of wheel, two types of bolts are used in VAZ 2110,2114,2115,1118,2170,2190 cars, short and long, where: 1) Wheel bolt for stamped wheels 21080-3101040-10 M12×1.25×23 wrench 17mm.

2) Wheel bolt for casting 21120-3101040-10 M12×1.25×27 wrench 19mm.

How to choose bolts that are suitable for disks?

And so the standard bolts that come from the factory with stamped disks have dimensions: 12 * 1.25, total bolt length 44 mm, threaded part length 24 mm. And the bolts for alloy wheels have a size of 12*1.25, the total length of the bolt is 51 mm, the length of the threaded part is 28 mm.

Thickness of the stamped disk at the attachment point. L=4 mm, Thickness of the cast disc at the mounting location. L=7 mm.

Conclusion: It is impossible to make a mistake in choosing the bolts for mounting the wheels, you just need to know the thickness at the place where the disk is attached and, taking into account the measurements, choose either a short or long bot. Good luck to everyone on the roads!

Replacing nuts on my car

Let's get back to the situation with my car. To the question that made me study this subject. Let me remind you that when replacing wheels, the tire service workers asked their wife for special nuts for alloy wheels, and when they didn’t find any, they insistently advised changing the existing ones to special ones.

Of course, I listened to their recommendations, after all, experts advise. Moreover, the story was as follows. The car was purchased from a dealership with a standard set of stamped wheels. Later, the stamped wheels were replaced with cast ones from the Russian manufacturer SKAD. The stamped discs were fastened with five conical nuts and of course no one changed these nuts. They also attached the casting. This made me wonder if I did everything right.

As it turned out, the purchased alloy wheels have a similar conical seat. When installing alloy wheels, the nut is completely screwed onto the stud, which has a small protrusion above the nut. That is, there are no deviations from the rules and regulations, as can be seen from the picture below.

The question arises: why did tire workers ask for special nuts for alloy wheels? Incompetence? They do not sell them themselves; there is no commercial benefit for them from such a replacement.

I was interested in this topic in other places. I didn’t go around the city specifically asking about the need to replace the nuts, but I did contact some tire shops that I came across along the way. No one answered me specifically or tried to understand the situation, even if there were no clients and the master was clearly idle. They spoke mostly in general phrases. “If your nuts are from stamping, then you definitely need to change them, otherwise it will be bad...”

Characteristic differences

Wheel bolts for stamped wheels differ in length and material. Usually good steel is used, which has several types of coating:

It must be said that any type of coating is only a top protective layer. Therefore, it cannot provide reliable protection against corrosion.

To give the stamped disc a more aesthetic appearance, chrome-plated bolts are ideal. If you properly care for your car and operate it normally, the bolts will never rust.

Important points in using “secrets”

1. The first thing you need to remember is that you should never allow a tire fitter to tighten the secret fastener with an impact wrench. Only use a torque wrench to the torque specified in the vehicle manual.
2. Before mounting the wheel, always check that the thread, fit, body length/total length of the original nut/bolt matches the wheel lock.
3. When removing a wheel from a car, the secret nut/bolt is unscrewed first, and when installing a wheel, on the contrary, it is tightened last.
4. We recommend storing the key, original vehicle nuts/bolts, and installation instructions (with your personal code number) in resealable packaging in a safe place in the vehicle. It’s better not in the glove compartment, which is where thieves first go to find this secret key.

What bolts are needed for stamped wheels?

If we are talking about VAZ wheels, then they are secured to the hub with fasteners, the length of which allows you to make 7-9 turns when screwing in. The most suitable length is considered to be sufficient to screw into the entire thickness of the hub on one side, with a small protrusion of 2-3 mm on the other.

To determine the exact length, you can use verification methods:

1. Unscrew the used bolt from the wheel and count how many threads there are on it. Then divide the resulting number by the available bolt length. As a result, a result will be obtained showing the working length of the part.
2. Buy the desired element in the store and screw it into a stamping disc. If the parameters match the rim, you can be sure that it will easily screw into the hub.

When purchasing a bolt, you should consider the following basic parameters:

It is necessary to select fasteners so that they do not unscrew spontaneously. If you make a mistake with the diameter, it may happen that only one or two fasteners are tightened, the rest will be loose.

As a result, the wheel will not take the desired position, the tires will begin to wear out quickly, the car will be unstable and may lose control.

The industry also produces bolts for stamped disks, called “secrets”. It must be said that this design is not very effective in terms of fastening, but it performs its protective function successfully. To screw it in and out you need to have a special “secret key”.

How to choose the right anti-theft screws for your car

When searching for fasteners, there are 3 selection criteria to consider: ease of use, durability and safety. Let's look at these features in more detail:

• Safety comes first. If the wheels are easy to remove with your own hands, they will certainly be stolen. The best locking screws have a high level of pattern variability and provide an excellent degree of security, providing an insurmountable challenge to attackers.
• Ease of use is an important factor that simplifies the use of product functions. Installing bulky locks makes vehicle tires vulnerable to theft. Ideal bolts are easy to install or remove using an installation tool.
• Fastenings must be strong, durable, and withstand prolonged attempts to break them. Nuts must wear out slowly and cope with an unfavorable external environment, since they are constantly on the street. Most sets have a protective chrome-plated, nickel-plated coating that can withstand any environmental influences.

If you live in a region with a lot of snow, salty roads, and bad weather can seriously damage the propellers, you should think about purchasing more reliable mounts than what you would buy if you lived in a “warm” locality.

By following these rules, you will protect yourself from robbers, especially if your car spends a lot of time in unguarded parking lots or on the street. Purchasing inexpensive anti-theft bolts is easy insurance against theft, and with this fact in mind, it is important to invest in a reliable product. This will save money, wheels and car rims.

The anti-theft nuts have a unique face design that allows them to be installed and removed using the specially-matched wrench included in the kit. The product is quite easy to screw on yourself, so there is no need to specifically visit a car dealership. It is important to mention the need to always have tools on hand so that you can put on a spare tire.

If you are planning to purchase anti-theft screws, there are various factors to consider. In addition to going through all the different models and their associated advantages and disadvantages, you should take into account their cost, size, quality:

• Reliable products can save valuable property. So, while purchasing nuts, do not compromise on price. Most cheap models are not designed to be strong enough to protect against a thief. Therefore, always choose quality screws, even if they may cost a little more than others.
• Before purchasing a set, you should check your iron horse's owner's manual to see if it is compatible with the model you want. Make sure you know all the details as there are all kinds of bolt sizes available in the market for different key numbers.
• Typically the kit contains 4 nuts. However, there are brands that offer other options. When purchasing, it is recommended to purchase the kit that has the largest number of screws, it is a little more expensive, but it is still a good deal.
• When purchasing a product, pay special attention to the material from which it is made. There are huge differences between models in this aspect. Although most structures are made of durable steel, some devices are less durable and of less quality than others. Therefore, it is very important to make the right choice.
• Some manufacturers offer a universal installation tool in the kit. Such sets can make property vulnerable to thieves. Make sure you buy unique screws that only fit your kit.

If the car is equipped with expensive tires, protecting it only with nuts and locking nuts is risky. It is necessary to purchase effective blockers that provide maximum protection. They are just as important as anti-theft equipment and alarms. Some brands are a little more expensive than others, but they offer added security. When purchasing, consider size, durability, manufacturer's warranty, and price. Don't buy cheap models that are easy to break.

What nuts are needed for stamped wheels?

Today, on some domestic cars, as well as foreign cars made in the USA and Japan, disks are secured with several types of nuts:

• Open,
• Closed,
• With or without collar.

Closed wheel nuts protect the hub from dirt. They are made, similar to bolts, from different materials.

The most commonly used are stainless steel or titanium. When choosing a wheel nut, you need to take into account the most important parameter - thread matching.

Nuts are also made of aluminum. They are designed for mounting wheels on sports cars.

The parts are distinguished by their low weight and increased softness of the metal. Such nuts must be constantly monitored and tightened.

Open type cone nuts are also used to fasten stampings. For wheel tuning, titanium nuts are installed. Their main difference is considered to be high strength and low weight.

However, titanium is a noble and not cheap metal, so not everyone can afford them - their cost is an order of magnitude higher than similar fasteners.

Wheel nuts

Wheel nuts, like bolts, are distinguished by 4 main parameters: diameter and thread pitch, profile of the clamping part, nut height, wrench size.

Wheel nut diameter and thread pitch

The diameter and thread pitch of the nut must match the stud, i.e. car make and model. Possible wheel nut thread options for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles: 12 x 1.5, 12 x 1.25, 14 x1.5, 16 x 1.5, as well as inch threads. Determine the diameter and thread pitch of the wheel nut using the selection by car function in our online store.

Profile of the wheel nut clamping part

The profile of the clamping part of the wheel nuts can be conical, spherical, or flat. As with bolts, wheel nuts are selected solely according to the profile of the well in the wheel rim. The consequences of incorrect selection are described in detail in the previous article.

When making your own selection, you need to take into account the following facts:

• spherical nuts
  - only for original Honda, Rover and several older VW models;
• flat nuts
  - only for original alloy wheels of Toyota, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, some global models of Peugeot and Citroen;
• cone nuts
  - for original wheels of those car brands that are not mentioned in the previous paragraphs;
• Third party discs are designed to use flare nuts only.

Nut height, spanner size, form factor

The height of the wheel nut is not of fundamental importance. The main thing is that the nut is not lower than the original sample, otherwise there is a risk that the wheel stud will rest against the “bottom” of the nut. As a rule, for disks with deep wells, nuts are installed higher.

Wheel nuts come in open and closed types. In most cases, steel disks are fastened open because it is assumed that such a disk will be covered with a cap, and a high closed nut can prevent this. Secondly, saving money, because... open wheel nuts are significantly cheaper.

Choose wheel nuts that match the size of your original wheel wrench. This must be done for several reasons. Firstly, in the future this will eliminate confusion when selecting a nut based on the car model. Secondly, you don't have to buy a new wheel wrench.

On many modern cars and other wheeled vehicles, the wheels are mounted on the hub or brake drum using studs or cage bolts and nuts. Everything about wheel nuts, their types, designs and applicability, as well as the correct selection and use of fasteners is described in this article.