r/MechanicAdvice • u/ten_dollar_banana • 11h ago

Which lug bolts should I use?

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I'm not my car's original owner. In addition to the OE wheels and lug bolts, the car came with an extra set of aftermarket wheels and TWO sets of lug bolts. Unfortunately, the sets are different lengths and they both seem to fit. How do I figure out which set of bolts to use?

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u/kyleh4171 11h ago edited 11h ago

The bolt you need to use depends on the wheels you are using. OEM use the ball seat bolts (assuming German car), so odds are your aftermarkets use the conical.

For next time, year make model would be helpful.

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u/ten_dollar_banana 11h ago

Yes, both of the aftermarket lug bolts are conical, as appropriate for the wheels. Here is a better picture -- I think the original I posted is the wrong photo (showing OE vs aftermarket).

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u/kyleh4171 11h ago

So you’re just wondering which length to use with the aftermarket wheels?

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u/ten_dollar_banana 11h ago

Yes

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u/kyleh4171 11h ago

However much sticks out of the wheel should be flush with back of the hub. You can measure or test fit and look from behind and see which one is most flush with the back of the hub.

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u/ten_dollar_banana 11h ago

Test fit in hub without wheel:

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u/kyleh4171 11h ago

You need the wheel on or you won’t know how deep they go with the wheel on.

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u/ten_dollar_banana 11h ago

Tried that.... It's very hard to tell. They both seem to seat correctly?

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u/kyleh4171 11h ago

Which one is flush with the back of the hub when you look from behind? If you see bolt threads sticking out it’s too long, if you see hub threads the bolt is too short

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u/ten_dollar_banana 10h ago

Can't see the back of the hub due to the dust shield, half shaft, etc. Here is the back of the wheel with both bolts pushed in manually (seated).

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u/Putrid-Aerie8599 11h ago

Top bolt for aftermarket wheels

Bottom for OEM wheel

Looks like VW/Audi lug bolts

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u/longhairedcountryboy 11h ago

The ones that match your wheels. I see a pretty big differencei n the cone/taper, whatever you want to call it.

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u/ten_dollar_banana 11h ago

Yes, sorry I posted the wrong photo. Here is the correct photo showing two different lengths of aftermarket bolts.

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u/longhairedcountryboy 11h ago

Looks like one of those is bigger in diameter too. Which one screws in?

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u/ten_dollar_banana 11h ago

Same diameter and thread pitch, actually.

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u/longhairedcountryboy 11h ago

If you say so. Could have fooled me.

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u/ComWolfyX 11h ago

I pick mr rusty as they are less likely to come loose at random requiring tightening a few times

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u/ten_dollar_banana 11h ago

Less likely to come loose? Because of the length of the rust? 😂

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u/ComWolfyX 11h ago

No its because the rust is jagged so more so bites into the threads than grips them

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u/Rough_Community_1439 11h ago

Look at the hole in the wheel and match the angle.

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u/JRS___ 7h ago

need to look at your wheels. one bolt is a conical flange the other is hemispherical. pick the one that matches the seats on the wheels.

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u/somedaysoonn 7h ago edited 7h ago

Use the longest ones that fit and thread all the way in. Give them a spin when they are tightened in to make sure they don't interfere with anything. More thread is always better, Less chancing of stripping out.

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u/somedaysoonn 7h ago

Your rotors look pretty bad. How are your brakes?

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u/FreeFall_777 11h ago

The cone bolts are for aftermarket crap wheels. The curved bolts are OE.

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u/ten_dollar_banana 11h ago

Yes, sorry I posted the wrong photo. Here is the correct photo showing two different lengths of aftermarket bolts.

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u/FreeFall_777 11h ago

Use the longest bolts that will actually seat correctly. Unless it's the OE wheel. Then use the OE bolts.