Raul,
This is good information, but I would add the caution to those considering
this:
I have had the misfortune of having lug nuts that don't have the correct
angle on the face (on a non-VW vehicle). The result was that when they were
installed with an air wrench they dug into my aluminum wheels and at highway
speeds I had a terrible vibration... due to the wheel not being snugged down
perfectly because of the imperfect fit of the lug nuts... The whole thing
was a real hassle.
So for those contemplating following Raul's advice... make very sure you get
it right... check and double check... (and avoid air guns on you lug nuts)
Bill
-----Original Message-----
From: Raul Cisneros <Merrag@AOL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Tuesday, April 18, 2000 8:24 AM
Subject: Re: Need Alloy Lug Nuts/NAPA

Last year I needed a full set of these pricy puppies and found a way around
the cost;
I found that NAPA auto parts stores sell 14 mm thread lug nuts intentioned
for some GM trucks. They are really beefy and sell for around $1.50,
however,
the face-the part that seats to the rim is tapered at a different angle than
the alloys I was using (SA �wolfsburg� 15"). So I bought a bunch, then had
my
father who happens to have a metal lathe cut the angle to 56 degrees. You
could probably find a machine shop who'll do the same for probably not too
much. In turning these on the lathe, we chucked a 14 mm threaded bolt,
shimmed it perfectly staight, then just screwed the nuts on and off, with
perfect alignment each time. I found that slow cutting produced a better
finish. I've had them on for almost a year, they work great.
I'm assuming that the standard vanagon 14" alloys have the same nut taper?
Measure and cut, then adjust/test and cut again.

Ra�l Cisneros
87 Syncro Westy
86 Syncro GL
87 Syncro GL (parts)
97 Subaru outback
89 Saab 900 (Wifes, getting new headgasket because it was jealous of the
waterleakers)