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Thread: Using ball seat bolts on cone/conical wheels

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
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    Bairnsdale & Ferntree Gully, Victoria
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    Using ball seat bolts on cone/conical wheels

    What are peoples thoughts?

    I always understood it was a no no because there wasn't enough contact on wheels. putting more strain on one point of the wheel. But seems some people think different.
    Refer below image.

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
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    Melbourne, VIC
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    It'll work short term but the extreme pressure on the wheel seat will deform it (3000 series aluminum is much softer than steel), creating clearance => loosening off over time.

    So unless it's an emergency, it would be silly not to buy the correct bolts or nuts.

    Plus it buggers the seat for when you use the proper fasteners.
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  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
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    Im also interested on peoples opinions on doing the opposite, conical seat bolts on ball seat wheels? I bought some spacers and extended bolts for the BBS im still building, but just put the spacers in with the stock wheels for the time being, using the conical bolts on the ball seat wheels. Haven't actually driven with it like this, just taken photos, but how unsafe would it actually be?

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    ACT
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    893

    Using ball seat bolts on cone/conical wheels

    Realistically, I think you'd be pretty unlucky to have something go wrong. But I'd still use the correct bolts for peace of mind

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2005
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    Point Cook, Vic
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    It damages the seat. Ive seen people use conical bolts in a ball seat wheel and they eventually wear into the new shape as they get hit with a rattle gun by your local mechanic/tyre fitter.

    I would think the only danger is as kaanage says the bolts may loosen over time as the surface wears.

    If youre gonna do something. Do it properly.

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  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
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    Sydney NSW
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    It does not matter either way. Use the correct bolts.

    The amount of deformation that is needed is very small, and this will see the bolt loosen. You may not be able to detect it with your fingers, but when under load, there will be free play.

    It is not a case of if, but when.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Bairnsdale & Ferntree Gully, Victoria
    Posts
    7,500
    Thread Starter
    wheel bolts are something I don't want to muck around with.
    cheers guys, confirms what I thought!
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    Vento VR6
    MKIV GSW TDI
    7P Touareg TDI

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    2,225

    I just ordered some of these which convert cone seat bolts to ball seat, not much help to you as you are wanting to do the opposite, but could be usefull for others to know that these are out there

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