German vehicles and wheel bolts
 

I don't think it's been mentioned before, so I'll leave this here.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/imag...ck_group_1.jpg

Ever since working my recent job, I've discovered how it gets frustrating at times when putting wheels back on a German vehicle because they do not use the conventional stud and lug nut design compared to domestic and Japanese vehicles; they use lug bolts instead. When I was starting out, it took me (admittedly) at least 5 minutes to fiddle around with the wheel because of spinning it around on the hub and lining it up with the holes, and sometimes it falls right off if I don't pay attention.. At the time it took me to do one, I could have done all four wheels on a domestic vehicle :fuuuuu: It's been a couple months since I've worked here and I found it easier to do it quickly, after quite a bit of practice :concentrate:

Does anybody know why German vehicles specifically use lug bolts instead of the common lug nut design that everybody else uses and in correlation with why German vehicles are rather difficult to work on in general? Cost-effectiveness? Convenience? Tradition?

dont know why...

but i've converted mine to stud/lug setup with these
http://maxcdn.nexternal.com/bimmerwo...mRace_3001.jpg

^I'm thinking of doing the conversion too. Any advice or opinions to share?

germans always like to do the opposite of what everyone else does. This is the thing that pisses me off the most,

in manual mode, gear up is actually gear down.

http://images.forum-auto.com/mesimag...STEPTRONIC.jpg

when in domestic/imports its normal.

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...ZkHMSQxHBUgVnw

I am going to do the studs conversion too, already ordered some studs and lug nuts.

I actually just started my new job as well and have noticed that too. Frustrating until it goes on then I congratulate myself :p generally they have a certain way to go on as the tire should sit on a hook of some sort

It's part of Hitlers master plan

I've been dealing with this shit for way too long.

I'd be happy if I never worked on a german car again

Can't answer your question but I work at a dealership that deals with mostly German vehicles.

The techs use these after they take a wheel off so it's easier to put it back :concentrate:

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/NEW-PORSCHE-W...RB2n-!~~_3.JPG

So it'll look like this after the wheel is off..

http://www.suncoastparts.com/mm5/gra...readedbolt.jpg

BTW OP where do you work if you don't mind me asking?

not clue, but after doing the stud conversion on my e46 i could never live with lug bolts again.

It is actually quite standardized there are only 2 sizes M12 or M14 and it is not only the Germans but the Europeans. It offers more flexibility wheel sizing. You never snap a bolt vs a stud.

just buy quality stud/lugs
so much science behind nuts and bolts..
not all studs are created equal

those ones i got in particular reduces stress risers by having larger diameter shoulder for the stud to bottom out on the hub
also, the bullet nose will keep the lugs from ever getting cross threaded.

and ideally, stud/lugs as well as wheel bolts should be replaced every couple years..

ya i got fed up with the regular lug bolts, so i bought stud kit. Just need to buy myself a set of lug/lock nuts now...

Meh, doesn't take me much more time than with conventional ones.

Because of hard acceleration that naturally pushes your body back, so its easier to upshift by going with the force rather than against it. When you're decelerating, your body is pushed forward thus, naturally pushing forward on the stick downshifts.

Also all sequential gearboxes uses push to downshift and pull to upshift

lug bolts :fuckthatshit:

No issues with the lug bolts.

And I love the steptronic being pull to shift up, push to shift down. So much more intuitive.

Where do you get lug conversions for not a crazy price? Once I get back into BMW I dont want to deal with those damn bolts. I dealt with it for years...

So where to get 90mm M12x1.5 studs?

I'd love to be a vw owner on the side of the highway at 3am with a flat tire. that would be a ton of fun.

Its really not that difficult to change a tire, regardless of stud or bolt. Especially if your wheels fit. (hub centric) Once spacers are involved its a bit of a bitch, but really......come on. I think my gti has a wheel hanger in the kit anyway.

190E :troll: I had more problems taking the wheel off than the lug nuts. I know you're suppose to take a 2x4 into it but whacking the wheel off on car jacks :heckno:

I work at a Kal Tire :toot:

Lucky Audi comes with the plastic wheel hangers, I don't know about other Euro makes though.

With the wheel hangers is much easier.

I thought I was the only one...

Atleast my new wheels are alot easier to put on since there is no centre cap and I can align the wheel to the hub much easier.

German cars?

No thanks.

Have literally re:re'd thousands of German wheels - never had a problem getting them back on. Never bothered with hangers - can do it quicker without.

Only real use for a hanger is changing a flat at night when it's hard to see.