Wheel nuts, also known as lug nuts, are small components of all cars, but their small size does not change the fact that they have a very important role.
The purpose of wheel nuts is to ensure that the wheels of a car stay firmly attached at all times. If the correct wheel nuts are not used, they may not be able to lock into place properly, thus elevating the risk of them being broken or loosened while driving. This may in turn cause the wheels of the car to wobble or fall off, which could cause an accident and result in serious harm.
In order to select the correct wheel nuts for a car, buyers must consider the three key components that make up a complete wheel nut fitting. Two of these factors include the thread pitch and the size of the studs that the wheel nuts attach to on the car. The studs refer to the threaded bolts that jut out through the holes in the rims; most VW cars generally have four or five studs for each wheel.
The third factor is the seat type, which refers to the area where the wheel nuts come into contact with the wheel's surface. You need to familiarize yourself with each component before making a purchase.
Wheel Nut Thread Size and Pitch
It is simple to identify the different thread sizes and pitch available for wheel nuts. A thread pitch gauge is the best tool for this process and can be found at any local hardware store.
Another simple method is taking a lug nut to a hardware store and having them screw it unto the bolts they have available.
The thread size can be determined by the measurement across the outer diameter of the wheel stud. This measurement is normally represented in metric. Commonly, wheel studs are found in the following sizes: 10, 12, and 14 millimetres.
The following chart provides you with a visual representation of the different types of wheel lugs:
Reposted in part from Ebay.