No nuts... just bolts... Lug that is!

[Piece715]

Splashed my boat for the first time since starting my restore on her 4 years ago. Everything went great but on the way home 3 of the 4 lugs on one tire fell off and I just about lost the wheel. Not sure how that happened as I wasn't even a 1/4 mile from the ramp and they were all there when we left as I have photographic evidence not to mention the 40 mile haul to the lake when without a problem... I'm thinking some ramp gremlins were tryin to play tricks... but anyways


Here is the situation the wheels on this trailer don't use lug NUTS it uses lug BOLTS. I am having a real problem trying to track some down locally as I have checked all the auto places around i.e. Autozone, O'Reilly's, Advanced, etc.

Here is the style I am working with


Now are they called lug bolts?! or am I searching for the wrong name and that's why I'm having trouble?

These bolts get threaded right into the hub and hold the wheel in place and are tapered towards the head. I can't remember if the threaded hole in the hub goes all the way through but I'm thinking it does. Would it be beneficial for me to just purchase lug studs like so and start using regular lug nuts or does it not work like that. I hope this makes sense. I have no experience with hubs, bearings, etc so not even sure if that application could work. I can find the lug bolts online but really hoping to find it locally as i have a buyer for this trailer and have another trailer waiting to receive my boat. Thanks in advance for the help

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: No nuts... just bolts... Lug that is!

Tractor supply carries them.

 

[Piece715]

Re: No nuts... just bolts... Lug that is!

Tractor supply carries them.

Good call! Would never have thought of checking there... any clue on switching bolts for studs and nuts? Are studs with nuts more reliable cuz I'd hate to lose a wheel driving down the I-state

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: No nuts... just bolts... Lug that is!

You lost then because some where in the past when the wheels were removed and put back on, you didnt stop and tighten them back up after you towed it a mile of so. You all ways have to retighten after a stort test run. I have had those in the past my self.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: No nuts... just bolts... Lug that is!

Your old lug bolts have been around since the 1930's I know of, had them on a 38 ford pickup. You can always add a little lock tight to make you feel better. :facepalm:

 

[Piece715]

Re: No nuts... just bolts... Lug that is!

You lost then because some where in the past when the wheels were removed and put back on, you didnt stop and tighten them back up after you towed it a mile of so. You all ways have to retighten after a stort test run. I have had those in the past my self.

Made sure i did that after the 3 went missing. Made it to the nearest gas station and hopped out with lug wrench in hand... I wasn't about to loose a boat I spent 4 years building! Thanks for the info Hawker!

 

[Piece715]

Re: No nuts... just bolts... Lug that is!

Your old lug bolts have been around since the 1930's I know of, had them on a 38 ford pickup. You can always add a little lock tight to make you feel better. :facepalm:

Sounds good! Thanks Hungup!

 

[bigdee]

Re: No nuts... just bolts... Lug that is!

I like the bolts vs the studs because they are much easier to remove because they don't rust up like an exposed stud.

 

[dingbat]

Re: No nuts... just bolts... Lug that is!

I like the bolts vs the studs because they are much easier to remove because they don't rust up like an exposed stud.

Humm... are they not exposed on the back side? I've never seen a blind hole on a hub casting

 

[bruceb58]

Re: No nuts... just bolts... Lug that is!

Humm... are they not exposed on the back side?

They are and that is why there is no difference in the corrosion aspect of studs vs bolts.

 

[Josh P]

Re: No nuts... just bolts... Lug that is!

the bolts make it a bit harder to put the wheels on to.. you cant just swap studs into your hubs you would have to install hubs made for knurled press in studs.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: No nuts... just bolts... Lug that is!

tractor supply has them, i had the same thing happen only i got to watch my wheel bounce prolly 30 or 40 feet in the air, in my mirror tried all the auto parts stores they had ones for volkswagens the thread is slightly different, so i went to tractor supply, and had a field day they have everything even whole axles replacement fenders, etc. etc. , have been out 4 times since and carried my torque wrench with:facepalm: the last 2 times there was no loss of tightness so i think next time i may leave it home

 

[bigdee]

Re: No nuts... just bolts... Lug that is!

They are and that is why there is no difference in the corrosion aspect of studs vs bolts.

On all the ones I've seen the threaded end is in the hub with only a short length sticking through. Whereas a stud has alot more thread exposed and the wheel bolts are galvanized. My pontoon trailer is 34 years old with wheel bolts....in fact I just changed a wheel 2 weeks ago that had not been off in 6+ years and all I had with me at the time was a 3/8 ratchet and I broke them all free by hand!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: No nuts... just bolts... Lug that is!

There still shouldn't be a difference. When they are stuck, they are stuck and it won't matter how many threads are exposed. At least with a lug nut you can get at the exposed threads with a wire brush.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: No nuts... just bolts... Lug that is!

There still shouldn't be a difference. When they are stuck, they are stuck and it won't matter how many threads are exposed. At least with a lug nut you can get at the exposed threads with a wire brush.

+1 on this one.

 

[lncoop]

Re: No nuts... just bolts... Lug that is!

Your old lug bolts have been around since the 1930's

Holy schneikes!!!!!! No wonder they came off! It's time for some new ones any way!

 

[Piece715]

Re: No nuts... just bolts... Lug that is!

Found some at tracker supply but they only had one style (1/2") and guess who forgot to take a lug with him... Yep this guy! So hoping they work... :facepalm: Thanks for all the info guys! Will be checking them constantly now.. don't need a 30 foot aerial show like cool bri had Spent waaaayyyy to long on this boat to loose her like that!

 

[woosterken]

Re: No nuts... just bolts... Lug that is!

here's a little tip
i picked up a couple 2" bolts ,with the same thread as the lug bolts , cut the heads off , put a slice across it , like a screw, when changing a tire run the home made screws in finger tite, then you have a stud sticking out to hold the tire ,while you put the lug bolts in and then take out your screws to get the other 2 lug bolts in no more futzin trying get the holes lined up for the lug bolts.

sorry for such a long winded post
woosterken

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: No nuts... just bolts... Lug that is!

The way I do mine is to get the bolt in the 3:00 position started first then rotate the wheel/hub so the first bolt is now at the 12:00 position. The other bolts will now line up nicely.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: No nuts... just bolts... Lug that is!

Before running them in, put a little anti-seize compound or some grease on them.
It makes life a lot easier five years from now.