-
Similar Topics
-
By Counterman
The wheel end hardware category covers a number of fastener types, including spindle and axle nuts, washers and retainers, as well as wheel studs and lug nuts. It includes many specialized fasteners and a wide range of lug nut designs. Differences in thread pitch, length/depth, hex sizes and seat configuration make it difficult to keep track of the various options when recommending replacement lug nuts and studs for your customer.
Beyond using traditional “year-make-model” methods for identification, selecting hardware for custom wheel applications and recommending suitable replacement hardware can be broken down into a few simple steps.
The first characteristic to consider is the diameter and thread pitch of the wheel stud. Like any other threaded fastener, we must differentiate between SAE/USS and metric thread patterns. Differences between coarse and fine threads, even among fasteners of the same diameter, are common. Using a thread gauge or test-fitting with “known” components is a simple way to accurately identify the correct diameter and pitch, before moving on to seat configurations.
Even after determining the correct thread pitch, we need to carefully consider the seating surface of the fastener. To achieve the clamping power required to properly torque wheel fasteners, engineers rely not only on the tension applied to the threads, but the spreading of that load over the seating surface. The four basic seat types are conical, ball/spherical, flat/flanged and mag seat.
The conical seat is still the most common style, with most OEM wheels (both alloy and steel) designed to mate with 60-degree conical seat fasteners. Think of this design like a pair of nested funnels, with the wheel as the bottom funnel and the lug dropping snugly into the “cone,” with maximum contact between the two.
Ball or spherical seat fasteners, like conical seat hardware, also rely on a countersunk seat in the wheel to accept the mating profile of the lug nut. Rather than being a “cone” shape, these lugs more closely resemble a “bowl,” or a “ball and socket” joint.
Flat, flanged and mag-style seats are used primarily with alloy wheels. The term “mag” refers to magnesium, the alloy of choice for racing/custom wheels popularized in the 1960s. Aluminum alloys are the most common material in today’s marketplace. “Mag wheels” have oversized lug holes as compared to the diameter of their corresponding wheel studs. A cylindrical shank on the threaded end of the mag nut slips into these holes, maximizing surface contact, while a loose flat washer below the hex head helps distribute clamping forces on the flat face of these wheels. A modified version of the mag nut (with a captured washer) is often used with modern OEM alloy wheels.
Flat-face or flanged lug nuts are commonly used on full-size trucks, especially those with dual wheels. With a captured or integral washer providing the clamping power against a flat face, these are some of the few modern nut styles featuring an “open” design, with the wheel stud protruding through the top of the nut.
Wheel bolts have become an increasingly popular category in the past decade, primarily among European manufacturers. With an “all-in-one” lug nut and stud design, wheel bolts cut down on the number of individual SKUs required for a wheel end repair and simplify the manufacture of flanged wheel bearing assemblies. The lack of exposed wheel studs does make aligning and mounting wheels a bit of a chore, with only the center hub pilot to guide the wheel into place. Several tool suppliers offer pilot stud kits to aid in aligning the lug holes with the threaded holes of the hub flange. These kits usually include a pair of studs in each of the most common stud sizes to help get the technician in the ballpark. After securing the wheel, the pilot studs are removed and the remaining wheel bolts can be installed and hand-torqued.
Damage to crimped-on decorative tin caps is a common reason for wheel end hardware replacement. When replacing damaged two-piece “capped” fasteners, upgrading to a solid (one-piece) lug design can improve the next service experience for the vehicle owner and the technician, as well as improving upon a poor design practice shared by multiple OEMs.
In situations where these caps have swollen or fallen off, standard socket sizes become ineffective in removing existing fasteners for service. Removal sockets can be used to bite into rounded-off or otherwise damaged lug nuts and may also be effective when attacking stubborn locking lug designs. Half-sized sockets (18.5mm, 19.5mm, etc…) can be another life-saving addition to your store’s tool inventory, along with lug-nut removal sockets in common sizes from 17-22mm.
The post
link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
link hidden, please login to view -
By Counterman
The wheel end hardware category covers a number of fastener types, including spindle and axle nuts, washers and retainers, as well as wheel studs and lug nuts. It includes many specialized fasteners and a wide range of lug nut designs. Differences in thread pitch, length/depth, hex sizes and seat configuration make it difficult to keep track of the various options when recommending replacement lug nuts and studs for your customer.
Beyond using traditional “year-make-model” methods for identification, selecting hardware for custom wheel applications and recommending suitable replacement hardware can be broken down into a few simple steps.
The first characteristic to consider is the diameter and thread pitch of the wheel stud. Like any other threaded fastener, we must differentiate between SAE/USS and metric thread patterns. Differences between coarse and fine threads, even among fasteners of the same diameter, are common. Using a thread gauge or test-fitting with “known” components is a simple way to accurately identify the correct diameter and pitch, before moving on to seat configurations.
Even after determining the correct thread pitch, we need to carefully consider the seating surface of the fastener. To achieve the clamping power required to properly torque wheel fasteners, engineers rely not only on the tension applied to the threads, but the spreading of that load over the seating surface. The four basic seat types are conical, ball/spherical, flat/flanged and mag seat.
The conical seat is still the most common style, with most OEM wheels (both alloy and steel) designed to mate with 60-degree conical seat fasteners. Think of this design like a pair of nested funnels, with the wheel as the bottom funnel and the lug dropping snugly into the “cone,” with maximum contact between the two.
Ball or spherical seat fasteners, like conical seat hardware, also rely on a countersunk seat in the wheel to accept the mating profile of the lug nut. Rather than being a “cone” shape, these lugs more closely resemble a “bowl,” or a “ball and socket” joint.
Flat, flanged and mag-style seats are used primarily with alloy wheels. The term “mag” refers to magnesium, the alloy of choice for racing/custom wheels popularized in the 1960s. Aluminum alloys are the most common material in today’s marketplace. “Mag wheels” have oversized lug holes as compared to the diameter of their corresponding wheel studs. A cylindrical shank on the threaded end of the mag nut slips into these holes, maximizing surface contact, while a loose flat washer below the hex head helps distribute clamping forces on the flat face of these wheels. A modified version of the mag nut (with a captured washer) is often used with modern OEM alloy wheels.
Flat-face or flanged lug nuts are commonly used on full-size trucks, especially those with dual wheels. With a captured or integral washer providing the clamping power against a flat face, these are some of the few modern nut styles featuring an “open” design, with the wheel stud protruding through the top of the nut.
Wheel bolts have become an increasingly popular category in the past decade, primarily among European manufacturers. With an “all-in-one” lug nut and stud design, wheel bolts cut down on the number of individual SKUs required for a wheel end repair and simplify the manufacture of flanged wheel bearing assemblies. The lack of exposed wheel studs does make aligning and mounting wheels a bit of a chore, with only the center hub pilot to guide the wheel into place. Several tool suppliers offer pilot stud kits to aid in aligning the lug holes with the threaded holes of the hub flange. These kits usually include a pair of studs in each of the most common stud sizes to help get the technician in the ballpark. After securing the wheel, the pilot studs are removed and the remaining wheel bolts can be installed and hand-torqued.
Damage to crimped-on decorative tin caps is a common reason for wheel end hardware replacement. When replacing damaged two-piece “capped” fasteners, upgrading to a solid (one-piece) lug design can improve the next service experience for the vehicle owner and the technician, as well as improving upon a poor design practice shared by multiple OEMs.
In situations where these caps have swollen or fallen off, standard socket sizes become ineffective in removing existing fasteners for service. Removal sockets can be used to bite into rounded-off or otherwise damaged lug nuts and may also be effective when attacking stubborn locking lug designs. Half-sized sockets (18.5mm, 19.5mm, etc…) can be another life-saving addition to your store’s tool inventory, along with lug-nut removal sockets in common sizes from 17-22mm.
The post
link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
link hidden, please login to view -
By Counterman
Arnott Suspension Products announced a limited-time rebate of up to $100 per part on select air suspension components for RAM, Jeep and GM vehicles. From July 14 through Sept. 30, customers can earn up to $100 per part when they purchase eligible Arnott components and submit a rebate claim.
“We’re honored to be the first choice of professional mechanics who insist on Arnott parts for their air suspension repair work. This rebate gives us an opportunity to thank them for their loyalty and showcases some of our key parts for these great American brands,” said George Greene, North America vice president of sales for
link hidden, please login to view. “With our U.S. engineering and manufacturing facility in Merritt Island, Florida, we continue to lead this fast-growing segment of the replacement parts industry.” To redeem the rebate:
Purchase eligible Arnott air suspension parts. A list of eligible parts is available below. Submit a claim at link hidden, please login to view. Receive up to $100 per part, once the claim is approved. For more information, visit arnottindustries.com, or call 800-251-8993.
The post
link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
link hidden, please login to view -
By Counterman
Valvoline Instant Oil Change is kicking off its school supply drive for schools in southwest Florida. The drive runs from July 14 through August 3. As students get ready for a new school year,
link hidden, please login to viewsaid it is helping make sure they have the supplies they need to succeed. Guests who bring in new school supplies to any participating location will receive 20% off their total purchase. All donated items will go directly to the school districts of Charlotte, Collier and Lee counties, benefiting students and teachers.
From notebooks and pencils to backpacks,
link hidden, please login to viewsaid every donation to the school supply drive helps. The company invites customers and community members alike to join the effort and make a difference this back-to-school season. For full details, visit
link hidden, please login to view. The post
link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
link hidden, please login to view -
-
By Counterman
GSP North America announced the launch of 21 new part numbers. These additions significantly expand wheel end coverage for key North American makes and models. The latest release delivers parts coverage for 19,520,928 vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Wheel End Coverage Includes Audi and Ford
The release includes two pre-pressed hub and bearing assemblies for late-model Audi vehicles. These factory-assembled units eliminate on-site pressing.
link hidden, please login to view said they reduce installation time for technicians and shops. Part Numbers: 230030HA, 230031HA.
link hidden, please login to view also introduced a complete rear bearing assembly for the Ford Transit 150, 250 and 350 platforms. The assembly includes both inner and outer bearings already installed. According to the company, it simplifies fleet maintenance and offers plug-and-play serviceability. Part Number: 113600HA. Expanded Access to Rare Hub Applications
Three new hub part numbers provide reliable options for Infiniti, Audi and Mitsubishi vehicles. GSP said these SKUs help distributors and technicians source components that were previously hard to find. Part Numbers: 534202WH, 510007B, 510008B.
Precision Manufacturing for OE-Level Performance
GSP engineers and manufactures all 21 part numbers in Malaysia and China. The company develops them to meet OE-level tolerances and material standards. Each part offers proper fit, form and function for demanding vehicle applications, according to GSP.
The post
link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
link hidden, please login to view
-
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.