[6pack] lug nuts

[Michael Porter]

On 1/2/2011 5:48 PM, Vance Navarrette wrote:
> 	Bud:
>
> 	I don't believe those are a good replacement. They need to be
> specified as conical, since our wheels are steel rather than aluminum and
> rely on a conical tip to center the wheel on the stud correctly. A better
> choice would be
> http://www.ezaccessory.com/Bullet_Mag_Lug_Nut_7_16_p/8232.htm at the site
> mentioned below.
>
> 	Although not the original style, they have the correct conical tip
> to work with our steel wheels. A non-conical nut will not be safe.
>
> 	If you are willing to toss the center trim piece, then conventional
> chromed acorn nuts with conical tips will work.
>
> 	If you want to retain the center trim piece with the TR6 logo, you
> will need to go with a shanked nut, conical tip, 7/16" x 20 threads. Mag
> wheel nuts are almost always non-conical and therefore not safe for use with
> steel wheels. The only mag style nut that is conical (at least that I am
> aware of) are the so called "bullet mag" nuts.
>
> 	Vance
>


Umm, this might need a bit of clarification, since the essential 
differences are not steel v. aluminum, but rather are ones of hub type 
and the necessary included angle of the lug nut.  First, there are only 
two types of wheels when it comes to mounting:  hub-mounted and 
stud-mounted.  Hub-mounted wheels depend upon a precision-machined 
center to locate the wheel concentrically on the hub.  Hub-mounted 
wheels, therefore, can use a standard nut and washer to retain the 
wheel.  Stud-mounted wheels use the stud and nut to locate the wheel on 
the hub and the wheel center does not have to be perfectly matched to 
the hub center.  To my knowledge, all Triumphs have stud-mounted wheels 
(even those with wire wheels and knockoffs use the stud nut to locate 
the wire wheel adapter), and in the passenger auto trade, hub-mounted 
wheels are relatively rare (this is not the case in the heavy-duty 
automotive sector, where hub-mounted wheels are generally favored, and 
stud-mounted are rarer).


So, for stud-mounted wheels, whether steel or aluminum, the stud nut 
must match the angle of the stud nut boss in the wheel to the proper 
interference fit.  Some aluminum wheels have a narrower included angle 
(a deeper cone, if you will) than the standard steel wheel--to provide 
increased surface area for the nut to grip--and require a special lug 
nut with a taper to match.  But, it doesn't matter if the wheel is steel 
or aluminum--standard-shaped hex nuts and washers are for use on 
hub-mounted wheels, while tapered lug nuts are for use on stud-mounted 
wheels.  Both mounting styles are available in various materials, so the 
lug nut chosen depends not on the material, but how the wheel is located 
on the hub.


Cheers.


-- 


Michael Porter
Roswell, NM


Never let anyone drive you crazy when you know it's within walking distance....