I removed my wheel spacers so I can go with a wider wheel. I got the open-end lug nuts and got my loaner wheels back on. Only probelm is the wheel studs stick out approx 1/4-1/2". Do most folks get shorter studs or will the stock screw in more?

 

Hey Darien....I had a similar problem with my 84 and I used the standard porsche lug nuts then placed the alloy ones on top for show. I knew it wasn't right but it worked. Good-luck...Bill

 

Anyone else???

 

Yes, but you probably don't want to hear what I have to say.

I haven't had centercaps on my car since, um, November. Open lug nuts. (In otherwords, cosmetics are not my primary concern). My kid once helped me put my alloy nuts on top, I drove it like that for a month or two but it didn't look that good. If I didn't care for it you probably wouldn't like it at all.

If you want the ability to go back to stock wheels at any time, then ideally you would want to keep the spacers on and choose a wierd rear offset for the wide wheels. If not, shorter wheel studs are the key.

How much of a headache is it to install shorter studs? Can you just screw on some steel open ended lug nuts (wheel off of course), cut off excess threads, and uncrew the lug to clean up the thread edges? Sound like a "damn PO" type of thing but I'd consider doing it if my commitments were long term.

 

Find somebody with a car without spacers that wants to widen their rear track with stock sized wheels and swap your studs and spacers for their studs.

 

That's a good idea. But you need to do one more thing after the nuts is removed. Make sure you have a tap & dye set and chase the treads to make sure they will not ruin the lug nuts.

 

I use open lugs.

 

Hi you could change the studs but you will have to remove the half shafts and then install new rear wheel bearings, as you must remove the hubs out of the bearings and this destroys the bearings, ,open lugs are probably the best idea

 

Wow, I didn't realize that.

 

I think that you are right. Unscrewing the steel lugs will probably not clean up the threads enough to use alloy lugs without concerns. Alloy lugs should work, but they may bind and wear the threads.

Mickey Mouse University would endorse pocketing the money that you would otherwise use to buy a tap and die set.

SAE would disagree with the wisdom (?) of MMU.

Either way you slice it, you may someday be referred to as "that damn PO".

 

When put my Fikse wheels on I decided to leave the studs long so i would have the option of putting the stock wheels and spacers back on. I just left the stud ends sticking out, it does not look that bad in my opinion.

 

On those gorgeous wheels you have .... not bad at all! Some things don't necessarily need dressing up when other items are so stunning.

I would only consider perfecting the lug nut issue if I was going to participate in a concours.

 

I just cut my studs back 20mm on my black car with the black Gemballa wheels. I hate unfinished items on street cars (my opinion)

 

Darien, this is the way to go if losing the ability to use the stock wheels again is not an issue.

 

Daren,
Are you going to sell those spacers? I am one of the ones who would like to have a wider track in the rear.

Thanks,
Frank Barnhill
79 Euro