The decision of how to safely fasten a car's wheels is complex, with several potential solutions available to manufacturers. Assuming mechanical knowledge, you will know what lug nuts are. A lug bolt is equivalent to an m12x1.5 lug nut in terms of its purpose. However, it is only used on certain types of cars. So, what elements should be considered when choosing between lug bolts and nuts? In this article, we'll compare and contrast the two approaches and highlight their main differences.
Defining the Lug Nuts
Lug nuts are used to secure wheels to their hubs using threaded studs. A variety of lug nuts are available. Some of the most frequent ones are as follows:
● Hex Nut
The head of this lug nut is hexagonal, making it unique. The wheel is secured by threading this head onto the stud. Typically, steel with a chrome finish is used to make hex nuts.
● Conical Seat
The part of the lug nut that sits on the wheel, called the lug seat, is shaped like a cone. As the wheel is tightened onto the stud, each seat's 60- and 45-degree taper ensures that it remains precisely in the center. Tapered and otherwise acorn lug nuts are another name for conical seat lug nuts.
● Open-Ended
Lug nuts with an open end are threaded the whole way through, and neither end is closed. The nut can be used with significantly longer studs thanks to this design.
● Tuner Nut
Like a conical seat, a tuner nut has a taper. On the other hand, a tuner nut must be installed and removed with a specialized tool.
Lug Bolt
You will see that it consists of a threaded stem. This stem is fastened to a tapered head. Picture a lug nut completely fastened to a stud that screws into the hub of a wheel. Lug nuts are designed to be used with threaded wheel studs fastened to the hub. However, lug bolts can be used instead. The brake rotor and wheel are fastened directly to the hub thanks to its construction.
Lug Bolts & Lug Nuts
When changing tyres, lug nuts are preferable over lug bolts because they allow you to hang the tire slightly on the stud before tightening the nut rather than lining up two holes. Threading damage, such as a tire stud, can make repairs difficult, so take caution. However, if both vehicles' lug screw holes are damaged, you may need to replace the hub.
Conclusion
A lug bolt is equivalent to a lug nut in terms of its purpose. However, it is only used on certain types of cars. Here is the difference between the lug nut and lug bolt, contrast the two approaches and highlight the main differences between them. Learn the distinction between lug bolts but instead lug nuts so you can do proper wheel maintenance. When you next work on vehicle wheels, you'll be able to tell them apart and choose the appropriate equipment confidently.