Wheel bolts and lock bolts

**jords** · 05-09-2013, 11:54 AM

I have purchased a set of aftermarket rims (GT-CX from Eurodivision in Clayton, Melb) for the Mk6 Golf GTI, which look to have a tapered bolt seat.

After doing some searching, there seems to be a lot of conflicting information on whether I can use the OEM ball seat wheel bolts with the new rims, or will I need to purchase a set with tapered seats.

Also, the OEM lock bolts cannot be used with the new rims, as the key is too wide to fit. What lock bolts do people use with aftermarket rims?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ian

**nat225** · 05-09-2013, 01:12 PM

it depends on the aftermarket rims you have.

most use tapered seat (60 degrees angle) bolts, but some use the ball seat bolts (beware, ball seat DOES come in 3 variations of radius diameter, ie: R12, R13 & R14). VW / Audi OEM is R13, 13mm radius diam for the ball curve.

McGard lock bolts come in tapered, R12 & R13 ball bolts.

make sure you use matching bolts for the rims and torque them at 88 ft lbs (per manual book), else over time the bolts may loose tension and your wheel could fly off on the highway and.... let's not imagine that

**Guest001** · 05-09-2013, 02:25 PM

Surely the place to ask would be the guy who sold them to you Ask him for the correct ones.

**jords** · 05-09-2013, 04:29 PM

He said OEM bolts would fit, but from what nat225 implies, this is not the case, as OEM are not tapered seats.

I'm hoping he just didn't tell me what I wanted to hear. He's gone overseas until next week, so I will clarify it with him on his return, but in the meantime I just wanted to try and confirm whats what as I may need to get some bolts with a tapered seat ordered ready for when the wheels go on next week.

**nat225** · 05-09-2013, 05:24 PM

If the gtx wheels are made similar to vmr wheels, oem R13 ball seat bolts should fit.

Best to inspect the rims physically up close and personal in the bolt holes

**MGV** · 05-09-2013, 05:59 PM

Yes, if they are similar/same as VMR, the OEM bolt will fit, but you will also need to get a smaller diameter socket into those smaller bolt holes! ie, OEM sh itty brace wont fit in the hole.

I just went & bought 4 more OEM ball seat bolts from the dealer to replace the 4 VW locking bolts for < $30 with the idea of replacing them later, but haven't got around to it 2 1/2 years later! Haven't been stolen yet!

**kaanage** · 05-09-2013, 08:13 PM

Yes, you can use ball seat wheel bolts on a wheel with V taper seats (and vice versa) but it's not a good idea - the contact surface is minuscule compared with using the proper bolts so the pressure on the contact surface is far, far higher than intended. This will lead to distortion of the seats (the alloy used to make the wheels is far softer than the steel of the bolts) which then reduces the installed torque => loose wheel nuts.

If the bolt holes in the wheels are that narrow, get "tuner" bolts.

**jords** · 05-09-2013, 10:02 PM

thanks for all the replies guys.

So it looks like a new set of tapered bolts are the best way forward. I didn't even think about the wheel brace, but yeh, I guess a new wheel brace may be required also.

**kaanage** · 06-09-2013, 10:08 AM

Most sets of tuner bolts/nuts come with a "key/extender" to adapt to a normal wheel brace (need to get one with a 17mm head, though)

eg http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lug-Bolts-Nu...ht_1509wt_1141 (leftmost item in the pic)