Wheel nuts and wheel bolts: this is what you need to know

Basically, wheels can be connected to a vehicle in two different ways. Apart from the frequently used wheel bolts, wheel nuts are also available. If you regularly change tyres on your vehicle, you should be familiar with both elements and know what to look out for in each system. We have brought together all the relevant information on wheel nuts and wheel bolts for you in this comprehensive article below.

The difference between wheel nuts and wheel bolts

You can tell at first glance whether wheel nuts or wheel bolts are used on a vehicle.

When a tyre is removed, the so-called stud bolts protrude as they have been fastened directly to the hub if wheel nuts are used. The tyre should now be pushed over the studs with the matching holes and can then be fastened with the wheel nuts.

Within the wheel bolt system, on the other hand, there are only matching bolt holes in the hub. Here, the wheel should be correctly aligned when it is changed so that the wheel bolts can be inserted and fastened through the screw holes provided.

Also, two different systems are used for wheel nuts. There are wheel nuts with a tapered or spherical design. The type of wheel nut should therefore match both the tyre and the mounting for the wheel nuts provided in it. This is important because the wrong combination of wheel nut and tyre can lead to loosening of the nut and thus to reduced safety.

Are there really more wheel bolts than wheel nuts?

• Many specialised publications state that nowadays almost only wheel bolts and hardly any wheel nuts are used. However, this is a fallacy, as many vehicle manufacturers still rely on the wheel nut system.

• Opel and Ford, for example, are known for the fact that almost all vehicles in their range are delivered with the typical wheel nut system. Kia and Honda also continue to use wheel nuts in their range and thus rely on this technology.

• However, many car manufacturers, including leading brands such as VW, rely primarily on wheel bolts, as these offer greater flexibility for the user.

• However, large spare parts dealers continue to stock both wheel bolts and wheel nuts in a wide variety of designs in their range. It is therefore no problem to obtain suitable spare parts for your own vehicle and tyres.

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What are advantages of each system?

If we look at both systems in direct comparison, the great advantage of wheel nuts is that changing a tyre is quicker and often easier, as the tyre can be pushed directly onto the wheel hub and the stud bolts.

• Slipping of the tyre on the hub is easily prevented through fastening. However, there are also disadvantages. For example, the wheel nuts need to be retightened after some running time to ensure the safety of the vehicle.

• Moreover, it becomes very complicated if a wheel nut is found to be corroded during a tyre change. In such a case, you can drill out a wheel bolt if necessary and thus remove it without any problems. A rusted wheel nut, on the other hand, is not so easy to remove and can take a lot of time and energy before the tyre can be taken off.

• This can quickly become a problem in the case of an unplanned rushed tyre change on the open road with only standard tools at hand. In general, this applies to wheel bolts as well, but they are usually much easier to loosen even with inadequate tools at hand.

Can both systems serve as safety protection?

It makes sense to protect high-quality rims against theft. Both wheel nuts and wheel bolts make it possible. That is, you can buy sets of wheel bolts and/or wheel nuts, which can only be loosened with a special spanner.

One bolt or one nut per tyre is sufficient to effectively protect it from theft. Standard bolts and security sets are available from well-stocked specialist dealers as well. Autopartspro is particularly recommendable due to its large assortment and attractive prices.

Wheel nuts and wheel bolts: Greasing worthwhile?

For fear of rusting, many car owners think about greasing up the wheel bolts or the stud bolts and the wheel nuts too when changing tyres. There are very few manufacturers on the market who even allow such a procedure with special aids. The reason is simple:

• Because of the direct proximity to the brake system, bolts and nuts are exposed to extremely high temperatures. In such a case, the grease would only burn and, in the worst case, may lead to the nuts and bolts seizing up even more.

• For this reason, wheel nuts and bolts should never be greased. It is enough to carefully clean the threads and surfaces off corrosion with a wire brush.

Wheel bolts should be screwed in this far

Wheel bolts should always be tightened to a specified torque. However, many people assume that even just a few turns are enough to hold a bolt securely in place. But this is misleading. For a wheel bolt to make a force-flush connection, at least six turns should be made. Only then the desired security position is achieved.

Flexibility advantages in detail

Wheel bolts offer even more advantages for car owners.

• This is because wheel bolts come in different lengths and thus in different dimensions.

• For wheel nut systems, you should always make sure that the desired rims fit the stud bolts and their length.

• With wheel bolts, you have more freedom and is able to adapt the bolts to the corresponding thickness of the rim.

• This means that you can easily change to the appropriate bolt length when buying spare parts such as new rims or even winter tyres.

Retighten wheel bolts and wheel nuts:
Fairy tale or Common sense?

It is important that both wheel bolts and wheel nuts are tightened to the appropriate and specified torque. If this is the case, you can do without retightening the wheel bolts because they have been fastened with sufficient force. However, this does not apply to wheel nuts. You should retighten them to the appropriate torque after about 50 kilometres of driving. If you have your tyres changed at a specialist workshop, they will often put a reminder in your car to retighten them.

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