Does any of you guys have locking wheel nuts fitted ?
I have spotted theses on the bay Nutty things !
They are apparently exactly the right spec for the Alko chassis with alloys fitted.
Anyone ?
------------- FINE PRINT: I reserve the right to be wrong. Should you prove me wrong, I reserve the right to change my mind.
I don't think there would be much point having locking wheel nuts if anyone could just go and buy a key !
The key is unique and has to be purchased from Vauxhall with the documentation (serial number) you get with the locking wheel nuts.
------------- FINE PRINT: I reserve the right to be wrong. Should you prove me wrong, I reserve the right to change my mind.
The locking nuts (or wheel studs, to be precise) are described as being for Vauxhall cars. Apart from the thread, the locking profile under the head can vary between studs for different vehicles. Any mis-match between the profile of the stud and the wheel itself could seriously reduce the effective tightness of the studs. The length of the stud is also important; too short would again reduce effective tightness of the stud, and possible stripping of the threads when fully tightened to specification. Too long, and it might foul internal brake mechanisms.
I would advise making absolutely certain that these studs really are suitable before fitting them. Al-ko themselves may offer guidance.
Car or caravan; airtools should never be used for tightening the wheel studs. When I have tyres changed, I don't allow the tyre depot fitters to use airtools on my wheels, and I also insist on checking the studs after refitting, using my own torque wrench which is always kept in the tool locker of the car.
I did once go to a tyre depot (never use that one now) where it was obvious that the fitter didn't know how to use a torque wrench correctly. Watching from the waiting room, I went out and stopped him. He got a bit shirty, and the manager came over. The fitter was so adamant that I was forced to embarrass him. Before retirement, one part of my duties was the training of Quality Control personnel in the correct procedure for setting up the company's torque wrench calibration equipment, and training production operatives the correct way to use a torque wrench.
For the benefit of anyone who uses their own torque wrench, always turn the tool back to zero load after you have finished using it.
Quote: Originally posted by The 2 Tops on 09/1/2010
The locking nuts (or wheel studs, to be precise) are described as being for Vauxhall cars. Apart from the thread, the locking profile under the head can vary between studs for different vehicles. Any mis-match between the profile of the stud and the wheel itself could seriously reduce the effective tightness of the studs. The length of the stud is also important; too short would again reduce effective tightness of the stud, and possible stripping of the threads when fully tightened to specification. Too long, and it might foul internal brake mechanisms.
I would advise making absolutely certain that these studs really are suitable before fitting them. Al-ko themselves may offer guidance.
Bertie.
I thought a wheel stud looked like this.
The advert describes the locking devices as "bolts", and IMHO that's correct!
-------------
"If I let go of what I am, I can become what I might be".
I got some Guardian locking wheel studs/bolts/nuts from Amazon. They list compatability with the Alko chassis from 1982 onwards and fitted my 2007 Sterling fine.
Yeah, OK Jeepster, the correct terminology is 'wheel bolts'. Since things have moved on a bit, many fitters tend to call them studs, as opposed to when we did actually have nuts on the older cars, even though it is technically wrong. Guess I picked up the habit, but I don't think the mechanically adept guys misunderstood my meaning.
Quote: Originally posted by The 2 Tops on 10/1/2010
Yeah, OK Jeepster, the correct terminology is 'wheel bolts'. Since things have moved on a bit, many fitters tend to call them studs, as opposed to when we did actually have nuts on the older cars, even though it is technically wrong. Guess I picked up the habit, but I don't think the mechanically adept guys misunderstood my meaning.
Bertie.
I did an engineering apprenticeship in the 60s, so my terminology may be outdated. But I believe it's correct!
-------------
"If I let go of what I am, I can become what I might be".
Quote: Originally posted by The 2 Tops on 09/1/2010
Car or caravan; airtools should never be used for tightening the wheel studs. When I have tyres changed, I don't allow the tyre depot fitters to use airtools on my wheels, and I also insist on checking the studs after refitting, using my own torque wrench which is always kept in the tool locker of the car.
I did once go to a tyre depot (never use that one now) where it was obvious that the fitter didn't know how to use a torque wrench correctly. Watching from the waiting room, I went out and stopped him. He got a bit shirty, and the manager came over. The fitter was so adamant that I was forced to embarrass him. Before retirement, one part of my duties was the training of Quality Control personnel in the correct procedure for setting up the company's torque wrench calibration equipment, and training production operatives the correct way to use a torque wrench.
For the benefit of anyone who uses their own torque wrench, always turn the tool back to zero load after you have finished using it.
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Topic: Locking wheel nuts
