Re: Wheel studs?

["Graydon D. Stuckey" <graydon@apollo.kettering.edu>]

On Tue, 22 Dec 1998, John Karasaki wrote:

> Has anyone followed up on this or come up with an affordable alternative
> (i.e. $2 a stud or less)?

Total cost was about 50 bux for the 20 studs, with enough material left 
over for a couple special tools (Audi uses M14x1.5 on a few items on 
their cars.)

> hydraulic floor jack which speeds the process up significantly, but studs
> would be the cat's pajamas!

Oh yes, this will be the first mod I will do on any wheel bolt equipped 
car I buy in the future.  It saved me alot of frustration.  That's a very 
good thing with a car that is rife with frustration producing potential.

I looked everywhere for appropriate M14x1.5 wheel studs but none were
available which suited the car exactly.  I ended up buying very high
quality threaded rod (grade 8 at least) and cut it into lengths to use as
studs.  I cleaned the hubs with brakleen, and applied some loctite to keep
the studs in place.  I had to use an abrasive saw to cut the studs because
they were very tough on hack saw blades.  I tried it once and it used up
an entire blade trying to make one cut. 

When I replaced the left rear hub a few weeks ago to replace the wheel 
bearing, I simply heated up the old hub with my oxy-acetylene torch and 
turned out the studs.  I never had one back out on me though in service 
and I also use air tools.

HTH

Later, 
Graydon D. Stuckey
No Audis!  :-(
Yet!  :-)