s3_trev
Northern Ireland
Hi guys,
You know the expression you learn something new every day? Well this weekend I discovered the importance of using the correct type of wheel stud for your car.
So there are probably much more detailed guides online, but this is just a very quick post to tell you guys.
Above diagram shows a "Radius" bolt head the left, and a "Tapered" bolt head on the right. The general rule is that OEM alloy wheels use the Radius head, while aftermarket alloy wheels use the Tapered head. This is due to the 'hole' that the stud goes into in your wheel, and it needs to be matched correctly in order to seat or seal properly.
This weekend I found out that having the incorrect stud will not only cause juddering/vibration (like what happened to me) but from doing some more research on this subject I have found out it can have more serious consequences such as applying stress in the wrong places (stress points), and whatever other issues it could cause.
When I ordered my TD 1.2's, Rimstyle sent me the correct studs. But I then installed spacers, which came with extended wheel studs. Great I thought, not realising the extended studs had a radius head, different than the correct tapered head I had been sent with the wheels. When I suffered the vibrations I looked into it more closely, and compared pictures I had taken before hand and then I figured out my mistake looking at posts online. I knew it wasn't the wheels as they have been properly balanced. Thankfully I was able to acquire some extended studs with the tapered head, and since installing ive had no problems. They felt much better when tightening them up as well!
So what I am saying is, its not just about the correct measurements, the head of the stud is important as well.
Possibly the entire world knew about this already, but if this guide makes someone safer then it will be worth it.
Just for reference, the correct type of stud for an aftermarket alloy wheel (VAG 5 stud) is M14 X 1.5 with a 60 degree taper. The standard stud length is 27mm so if you have spacers then you will need to add the width of spacer onto the number 27, in order to get the new length you need. So a 5mm spacer would need a 32mm stud.
Thanks.
You know the expression you learn something new every day? Well this weekend I discovered the importance of using the correct type of wheel stud for your car.
So there are probably much more detailed guides online, but this is just a very quick post to tell you guys.
Above diagram shows a "Radius" bolt head the left, and a "Tapered" bolt head on the right. The general rule is that OEM alloy wheels use the Radius head, while aftermarket alloy wheels use the Tapered head. This is due to the 'hole' that the stud goes into in your wheel, and it needs to be matched correctly in order to seat or seal properly.
This weekend I found out that having the incorrect stud will not only cause juddering/vibration (like what happened to me) but from doing some more research on this subject I have found out it can have more serious consequences such as applying stress in the wrong places (stress points), and whatever other issues it could cause.
When I ordered my TD 1.2's, Rimstyle sent me the correct studs. But I then installed spacers, which came with extended wheel studs. Great I thought, not realising the extended studs had a radius head, different than the correct tapered head I had been sent with the wheels. When I suffered the vibrations I looked into it more closely, and compared pictures I had taken before hand and then I figured out my mistake looking at posts online. I knew it wasn't the wheels as they have been properly balanced. Thankfully I was able to acquire some extended studs with the tapered head, and since installing ive had no problems. They felt much better when tightening them up as well!
So what I am saying is, its not just about the correct measurements, the head of the stud is important as well.
Possibly the entire world knew about this already, but if this guide makes someone safer then it will be worth it.
Just for reference, the correct type of stud for an aftermarket alloy wheel (VAG 5 stud) is M14 X 1.5 with a 60 degree taper. The standard stud length is 27mm so if you have spacers then you will need to add the width of spacer onto the number 27, in order to get the new length you need. So a 5mm spacer would need a 32mm stud.
Thanks.
