Nuts on Studs - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

RobertFini · #1 03-10-2004, 09:00 PM

Since we need to be able to run our rally 190E on all different types of road surfaces, we naturally have several different types of tires. We have Michelin dedicated rally tires for gravel and dirt, we have Michelin Arctic Alpin tires for mud and snow and we have Yokohama A-008 tires for tarmac. The problem I have is that all three sets of tires are on three different types of rims, each needing different types of lug bolts. That, coupled with the fact that I don't cherish the idea of sitting out in the darkness of the stage woods at night holding a flashlight in my mouth and trying to line up the holes on the wheels with the holes on the hubs, while the clock slips away and I load up with penalty points.

So, my question is: Has anyone replaced thir lug bolts with studs and nuts, as is typically done on most lesser vehicles? If so, can anyone point me in the right online direction to procure the required studs and bolts.

Thanks in advance for all your replies.

Best Regards,
Rob

Luke@tirerack · #2 03-12-2004, 11:04 AM

Stud kits are typically used in racing applications to make change over easier .....

contact H&R
888-827-8881

RobertFini · #3 03-13-2004, 02:25 PM

Thanks, Luke. I'll give them a call.

Best Regards,
Rob

RobertFini · #4 04-20-2004, 12:11 AM

So, I've done some additional research and I'm finding that replacement studs are readily available but the only nuts I can find have tapered shoulders instead of the round shoulder for which stock Mercedes-Benz wheels were designed. Does anyone have any experience using tapered nuts with stock wheels? Thanks in advance for any replies.

Best Regards,
Rob

bobdragster · #5 04-20-2004, 02:19 PM

Upon considering the use of tapered nuts on MB stock "concave"/rounded rims, the taper used on the nut and wheel match giving it an interference fit along the entire chord of the nut's taper. Using it on a MB rim would give a fractionally small area for the interference fit, promoting a possibly dangerous situation of the nut not holding it's torque/load (especially if you are using this for rally or autocross!). The better solution may be the one that costs all us racers $$ (after all that is part of racing isn't it)-buy another set of rims to replace stock ones that will allow use of studs with your other sets of rims.

Bob

RobertFini · #6 04-21-2004, 11:21 PM

I was afraid that might be the case with the tapered nut in the round hole. Thanks for the suggestion about spending extra $$$ for some racing wheels, but "racing" wheels are typically built for lightness, not to withstand the punishment to be found on stage rallies. I need a wheel that will deform and maintain its bead seal, rather than crack like most light, brittle wheels will, so I'm sticking with the stock ones.

After some more Internet searching I did manage to find some sites that sell ball-seat lug nuts, but they're expensive (4 euro each). I'm having a real hard time swallowing that kind of cost for a freaking lug nut - I guess I'll keep looking.

Best Regards,
Rob