> Date:          Fri, 22 May 1998 16:06:58 EDT
> From:          Benjita <Benjita@AOL.COM>
> Subject:       Re: Wanted:  Alloy Wheel Nuts

> In a message dated 98-05-21 11:24:29 EDT, wesn@ESKIMO.COM writes:
>
> <<
>  Wanted:  One set of lug nuts (10 ea) for Vanagon alloy rear wheels (I've
>  got the front wheel lug bolts already).
>
>  Any suggestions on where to find these (short of the $100+ per set
>  dealer cost) would also be appreciated.
>
>  TIA.
>
>  -Wes >>
>
>
> I use some generic brand of lug nuts on my Syncro.  They have the tapered
> seat that matches right up with the alloy wheel.  Granted the seat does
> not extend up as high as the $13 factory bolt, but my wheels have not
> fallen off.....yet:-)  They are just standard 14mm x 1.5mm lug nuts, I
> paid $4.95 for 5 of them.  This may help you if you don't mind life on
> the edge:-)  I'll let the archives know if I ever lose a wheel......if I
> live through it at least. HTH.
>
> Cory
> '86 Syncro Westfalia
>

Well, having already lost *one* wheel in my lifetime (albeit a 65 chevy),
I'm sort of a belt and suspenders kinda guy now.  65 MPH down the
Interstate when, whumpa, WHUMPA, THUNK, and next thing I see is my right
front wheel passing me as I'm doing 360's square down the middle of the
freeway, right front fender bent up like a gull wing.

Alloy stress fractures aside, my greatest concern with non-standard lug
nuts is that the point pressure could allow plastic deformation of the
alloy seat material, reducing lug tension and allowing wheel play that
could fairly quickly hammer the studs to the fracture point.  That's more
or less what happened with my '65:  Incompetent gas station guy with an
air wrench didn't ensure the wheel was properly centered.  Some of the the
lug nuts hung up on the taper slightly, finally working loose enough to
allow the wheel to begin vibrating.  Took about 5 seconds to bust the
studs off the drum.

-Wes

Wes Neuenschwander
Seattle, WA
wesn@eskimo.com