Lug nut maddness!

[Zonaman]

I have a set of Weld Racing alloy wheels. They're kept on by this style of lug nut:lug.doc The shaft on these nuts has to go through the wheel where the stud is recessed inside. They are prone to rolling the threads up if you don't get them centered perfect. Just about every time I take a wheel off I can count on it. Is there way around this? I was thinking longer studs and a sleave inside the wheel with a more conventional conical seat nut. Or is it time to think about new wheels?

Thanks.

[Longhorn Man]

Shanked lug nuts suck, but as far as I know, there is no fix other than getting modern wheels.

[MrC1]

I had the issue of eating threads on my Welds (on my car) and found that some brands of studs were simply better quality than others. It turned out that the ones I was using had lots of burrs and other imperfections. I switched to a different brand and everything went smooth.

Unfortunately I don't remember the brands, but I can check. I've still got some new studs at home. At the moment I believe the bad ones were Moroso.

[Blazer1970]

Try chasing the studs with a thread cutting die before you install the wheel. Also use a little anti-seize if you are not now. I want to say that there are companies that will install steel inserts in the wheels also, but I am not sure about that. Try searching the net for aluminum wheel repair or something like that.

[slomotion]

Don't use a cutting die, use a thread "chasing" die. The cutting die may actually cut material off the studs making the thread engagement too loose.

[Zonaman]

Originally Posted by slomotion

Don't use a cutting die, use a thread "chasing" die. The cutting die may actually cut material off the studs making the thread engagement too loose.

Thread chasing die, got it. Where's a good place to get those Sears, Harbor Freight?

Thanks.

[slomotion]

I don't know about your Sears, but the kids that work in my local one aren't very experienced. Most will tell you that the dies are all the same. The chasing dies have a slightly different pitch and "re-align" the threads. The cutters will just cut the "mis-aligned" threads out.

I think I'd call around to a couple of machine shops and ask where their sources are.

Good luck

[MrC1]

Careful with lubing threads on lug nuts. You don't want them backing off due to lack of friction. That's why they say never to do this.

[Orange]

Originally Posted by Zonaman

Thread chasing die, got it. Where's a good place to get those Sears, Harbor Freight?

Thanks.

Honestly a chasing die is going to be a little more specific than a cutting die. Most chasing dies are cutting dies with a different name unless it is quality stuff. Your best bet is going to be trying industrial supply places. Can't give you a name as these are local places. Just look in your yellow pages for "Industrial Equipment & Supplies" and see if you recognize some names of places that sell tools, and give them a call. If not - don't be shy. They can just say no.