VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

General Information => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: tbjazznotes on August 26, 2017, 02:33:48 am

Title: Replaced tires and now having problem with lug bolts
Post by: tbjazznotes on August 26, 2017, 02:33:48 am
I drive an '82 rabbit 1.6D.  A previous owner had installed coilover struts and lowered the car significantly, with smaller tires in front and larger in back.  They had also installed after-market wheels that have a special patterned lug head, which I have a special socket to remove. 

I blew a tire last week and decided it was time to replace all four, and while the tires were off I threaded up the coilover struts to raise the car (sick of scraping my oil pan..).  I got the new tires and opted for 4 of the same size instead of having the front/rear be different. 

Everything was looking good and I got the tires back on, but when I tried to spin the rear tires (parking break not engaged) they rotate about 3/4ths of the way around and stop abruptly.  Puzzled, I pulled them off and try spinning the drum and it spins fine.  So I put one of the rear tires back on and again it stops after only 3/4ths of a turn. 

When the lug bolts are not fully tightened it spins fine, but once I tighten them, it is as if they are too long and are hitting something inside the brake drum.  This is especially puzzling because nothing has changed as far as I know, the rear tires are the same size as before and there was no spacer in between the wheel and drum that I know of.  Am I missing something? 

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Title: Re: Replaced tires and now having problem with lug bolts
Post by: TylerDurden on August 26, 2017, 08:57:35 am
Everything was looking good and I got the tires back on, but when I tried to spin the rear tires (parking break not engaged) they rotate about 3/4ths of the way around and stop abruptly.  Puzzled, I pulled them off and try spinning the drum and it spins fine.  So I put one of the rear tires back on and again it stops after only 3/4ths of a turn. 

When the lug bolts are not fully tightened it spins fine, but once I tighten them, it is as if they are too long and are hitting something inside the brake drum.  This is especially puzzling because nothing has changed as far as I know, the rear tires are the same size as before and there was no spacer in between the wheel and drum that I know of.  Am I missing something? 

I'd check the lug bolts - some may be longer than the others. Did some front bolts get swapped with rears?

Are the wheels the same as before, and same size all four?


Title: Re: Replaced tires and now having problem with lug bolts
Post by: tbjazznotes on August 28, 2017, 06:00:27 pm
Thanks for the reply!

You were right that the lug bolts for front tires were longer than the back.  I swapped them and its working normally now.  Thanks!  #imanoob
Title: Re: Replaced tires and now having problem with lug bolts
Post by: TylerDurden on August 29, 2017, 07:40:20 am
Personally, I'd get the right length bolts. If your car goes to a shop, they might get mixed up and someone could try to drive the car out of the service bay.

Stuff happens, even when you warn the shop. (BTDT)
Title: Re: Replaced tires and now having problem with lug bolts
Post by: air-cooled or diesel on August 30, 2017, 12:32:48 pm
^even so,
          2 different lengths for wheel bolts? do you have steel rims, or aluminum rims? steel can take the shorter 22mm bolts, al rims take (min) 24mm length bolts (actually 23.5mm i guess). there is a strong 27mm bolt available.