Alloys And Wheel Bolt Advice Asap

[The-Shorey]

I have just put some alloys on my galaxy, they are of an audi a4 ( I have checked they are exactly the same offset etc)

I had to take a wheel off today and when I did I notice that there is a shiny ring around the bolt indicated in red on the pic below,

as if the aren't sitting right into the dished bits around the holes in the alloy.

 

Is this a problem? Do they just need to settle in to the different bolts?

Advice needed asap please. I have been driving around with them for a week or so and there does seem to be any problems

just wanted 2nd 3rd 4th etc opinions

Cheers in advance

Mick

 

http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z158/the-shorey/bolt.jpg

[flashgordon400]

Hello to all

 

If you are using the Galaxy bolts that have been used with steel wheels you have the WRONG bolts.

Alloy wheel bolts are very different from steel wheel bolts.

Alloy wheel bolts have a spinning washer that allows the washer to sit on the alloy wheel before you tighten the bolt onto the washer.

A bolt without a tappered washer will just tear the surface of the alloy wheel bolt hole and give a false feel of a tightened bolt.

It can be dangerous to use the wrong bolts.

You could get away with it if you use copper slip or oil on the tapper surface of the bolt before you fit them. This will at least give you a realistic feel when the bolts are tightened.

It is obviously best to use the correct bolts as soon as you can get some.

Galaxy's don't handle very well with 3 wheels.

[MadBaz]

It depends on the type of wheel, Galaxy bolts are the same part number for oem steel and alloy wheels. Maybe worth getting some A4/A6 bolts to suit the wheels!

[seatkid]

Flashgordon is correct.

 

You need to get the right bolts that were supplied for the alloys original vehicle application (e.g Audi A4).

 

Then check the thread is the same as the Galaxy.

 

And the length is correct for the Galaxy application.

 

And tell your insurance... there is a chance they will not be happy for you to use wheels from an entirely different model on your Galaxy (due to the far greater loads involved)

[The-Shorey]

The A4 bolts are shorter than those on the galaxy

I think the problem is that the A4 bolts are 17mm and the galaxy ones 19mm so I think the radius

seating on the larger bolts are a fraction wider and they dont fit in the recess properly, gonna order a new

set of bolts tomorrow, didn't realise how expensive they are until now :) but it must be done, cannot

afford for a wheel to pop off with the kids in.

 

cheers ;)

[seatkid]

The A4 bolts are shorter than those on the galaxy

I think the problem is that the A4 bolts are 17mm and the galaxy ones 19mm so I think the radius

seating on the larger bolts are a fraction wider and they dont fit in the recess properly, gonna order a new

set of bolts tomorrow, didn't realise how expensive they are until now :) but it must be done, cannot

afford for a wheel to pop off with the kids in.

 

cheers ;)

I think you have a problem - I would say the wheels are not compatible with Galaxy

[The-Shorey]

The A4 bolts are shorter than those on the galaxy

I think the problem is that the A4 bolts are 17mm and the galaxy ones 19mm so I think the radius

seating on the larger bolts are a fraction wider and they dont fit in the recess properly, gonna order a new

set of bolts tomorrow, didn't realise how expensive they are until now ;) but it must be done, cannot

afford for a wheel to pop off with the kids in.

 

cheers ;)

I think you have a problem - I would say the wheels are not compatible with Galaxy

 

 

Both vehicles have the same centre bore size, pcd, offset etc, the A4 bolts fit into the galaxy and vice versa (same thread size)

the are just a little shorter and I would need to order a 17mm

hex top instead of the 19mm, would that not sort the problem?? :)

The alloys have an audi sign on them but are actually TSW alloys, if thats makes a difference?

 

Cheers for all advice btw thanks for wasting some time on me :)

[seatkid]

OK, I think I get the picture. You certainly need the right profile head to fit the recess in the alloy and the same depth of thread in the Galaxy hub as a standard Galaxy bolt would go.

 

The only thing that worries me is that the Gross Laden Weight of a Galaxy is possibly a tonne or even more greater than an A4. The Galaxy requires high load/reinforced tyres (its an insurance requirement) - dont know if alloys are similarly "load rated". Might be worth speaking to someone in TSW technical

 

BTW the bolts on my factory fit alloys (alhambra/skoda/vauxhall) don't have any washers, but I've seen that type on a Renault Laguna.

Edited August 31, 2008 by seatkid

[The-Shorey]

OK, I think I get the picture. You certainly need the right profile head to fit the recess in the alloy and the same depth of thread in the Galaxy hub as a standard Galaxy bolt would go.

 

The only thing that worries me is that the Gross Laden Weight of a Galaxy is possibly a tonne or even more greater than an A4. The Galaxy requires high load/reinforced tyres (its an insurance requirement) - dont know if alloys are similarly "load rated". Might be worth speaking to someone in TSW technical

 

BTW the bolts on my factory fit alloys (alhambra/skoda/vauxhall) don't have any washers, but I've seen that type on a Renault Laguna.

 

 

Yeah I am gonna call tomorrow and the A4 I got these wheels from didn't have washers either.

 

Cheers matey :)

[Beyond Help?]

How did you get on with this?

 

The size of the bolt head does not mean the threads are not the same size and pitch by the way. But from the picture it looks like the bolt you used are the wrong shape for the steel inserts on the alloys. Have you compared the seats on both Audi and Galaxy bolts?