Why do German cars have lug bolts instead of lug nuts?

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JWJ
1983 MB 300D - > 430,000 miles - Deep Blue - Bilstein Comforts - 0-60 in 24 seconds - 27MPG
1985 MB 300TD (wagon) - > 275,000 miles - Manila Beige - Thule rack - 0-60 in 18 seconds - 22 - 25MPG
Biodiesel, Mobil Delvac 1, and Viton fuel lines!

I used to have a Mazda that had Bolts. In fact, most every foreign car that I have not worked on, had bolts.

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1989 300E 144K

They lost the war and it's their way of getting even.........

Lug bolts are a PITA, but you can get a threaded stud to help hang the wheel while you put the bolts in. I just balance the tire and wheel on my foot while installing bolts.

I'm not sure why they do it, but i don't have any problems with it. The wheel centers itself on the hub. if you push the center cap with one hand, to hold it on the hub, you can spin the wheel with the other until the holes line up and then put on the bolts.

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The last two posts are sort of surprising.

Are you guys aware of the alloy wheel mounting device that comes in the tool kit. Before you remove the wheel you screw device into one of the top bolt holes. When you put the wheel back on you simply lift it onto this temporary stud. Put in a bolt or two and tighten finger tight. Remove the tool and put it back in the tool kit roll.

I'm sure they are available at the dealer.

Steve

My '59 ponton has lug nuts. My '83 240D has lug bolts. Somewhere in between they made the change.

Len

The answer seems obvious to me.

Alloy wheels.

How do you make the top of a stud and the nut look aesthetically pleasing?
No problem if you have steel wheels and hub caps, but Alloy Wheels change everything.

Steve

I was not aware of this. I have owned 3 MB's and I have worked in a salvage yard as a salesman for over 5 years. Never heard of such a thing. I will have to look in my tool kit (if I have one) and see if it is in there. My first aid kit was still in my car when I bought it so maybe that is too. We will see!

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2005 Accord Hybrid (Wifes)
1995 Subaru Impreza L AWD (Snow car)
1984 GMC Sierra 1500 (Mine)
1983 300CD Best $ I ever spent. (Mine)
1984 190D (sold and glad I did)
1983 300D (sold and wished I hadn't)

Came to me in a flash. Perhaps because of less wear and tear on the threads?

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Bolts are replaceable, the threaded studs on an American car's hub are not, you'd have to replace the whole thing. They designed them to last a long time, so they went with bolts instead of nuts. Thats what I think anyways...

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Our C280 has the alignment tool, and without it installing the front wheel is very frustrating. The front hub just spins with the wheel.

-Tad

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1995 G320
2003 C230 Kompressor Coupe
2005 ML500
2007 ML350

Just get someone to press the brakes real quick

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

My VW Vanagon has lug bolts for front wheels, lug nuts for rear wheels.

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

MB provides that handy tool in the tool kit to line the wheels up. Works like a charm if its used.

The center of the wheel sits on the hub and supports the wheel, and the car. The lug bolts simply keep even pressure on the wheel. Must be a good system if MB uses it. Just as long as cheap spacers are not used, then the wheel goes for a ride without the car!

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I think this is the correct answer.Can you imagine how ugly it would be any other way ? Thanks for the information on the alloy wheel tool,I was not aware of its use.Johnny

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85 300sd SOLD ,85 745i,95 740i,1972 Suburban,1938 International