Looking For A Good, Hard Stud!

Yeah, thought that might get attention. This seemed like the best place to ask. Now down to business.....

After a little incident of a wheel coming off while traveling down I77, does anyone know of a better rear axle wheel stud than the Dorman products most retailers offer. They just look....soft, cheap. I got my car back to drive-able condition with them, but I want something better.

I can find stuff from Jeg's or Summit, but not sure I can select the correct stud without a little more education. Just need something for a stock wheel/axle set-up. Stock length stud would do. Part numbers are always helpful.

Thanks.

 

Larry, those are what I was browsing on Jeg's and Summit. Just not finding what I think should be the dimensions for the knurl size that matches the specs on the Dorman replacement part number. As far as length, the closest match is either 1/4" longer or shorter from the Dorman replacement, but really shouldn't cause too much trouble.

 

I can only assume that I didn't re-torque it after having it off. After snugging up with an impact, I always go over them with a torque wrench or at the very least a 4 way lug wrench after they are on the ground. I can only assume I got distracted and didn't go back over them. Yeah, I'm at that age where distractions cause problems.

The problem with the studs was after the lug nuts came off, then the wheel. 1 stud broken, 1 stud bent so bad I had to break it to get the wheel on, 1 stud stripped on the end. Limped home on 2 lug nuts. Bottom shock mount caught the inside of the rim and kept the wheel from....well carnage!

I replaced the damaged studs with Dorman replacements, but I know there is a better product out there. I plan to replace all 10 rear studs with the better product.

 

Unless someone can offer better choices, I believe the Strange part #A3130 or Moser part#8259 or 8260 would be the closest matches to the stock lug nuts.

 

https://www.strangeengineering.net/product-category/rear-axles/wheel-studs/

Try Strange?

I have an S-60 with 1/2-20 2" and they seem to be very well made.

(The 7/16 should be same quality)

 

That's scary, glad you are ok.

 

I've used dorman studs several times in the past without a single issue. I would not worry about it

 

I agree, I have used Dorman wheel studs in my daily drivers without worry or problems.

Considering my wife and grandson sometimes drive the car, I would have a greater feeling of security with something better.
Let's face it, these could be 50+ year old wheel studs. Lets say the wheels were taken off at least twice a year over that time span. That's a lot of stretching on those studs just from re-torquing the lug nuts alone.

I guess I'm kind of looking at it like this....
How many times would a guy reuse rod bolts before he considered replacing them because he got worried about them? Would he just get the standard replacement bolts from the local parts store, or consider something a little better?

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I believe I will be ordering the Strange A3130. I'm considering replacing the front studs the next time I repack my wheel bearings.

If anyone has any thoughts about repairing WG wheels.....https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/who-can-repair-a-wg-wheel.369965/#post-3213566

 

If I remember correctly, the old Cragar unilug nuts had a problem loosening even when torqued to spec. Am I correct?

 

I couldn't say.

So after ordering the Strange A3130 studs, guess what was delivered? A Dorman box of 10 studs. Label on box has Part# 610-186 on it along with the Strange part number.
The Dorman part number is shown on their site seperately and at half the price of the Strange part number. So I'm returning them.

I'll just leave it alone, put one my spare wheels on, and drive it for now.

 

Yes. I had a set of the SS uni-lug wheels on my '64 Special in the 70s and had the passenger front get "rocking" loose and the remaining had one or two loose.

But that wheel started doing an "out of round" dance, coming over an arched bridge at 40MPH got my attention and I pulled off first place I could. Lucky I did not damage anything, or break any studs.

But I kept an eye on them after, all the time. And would find a loose one now and again.

 

Every car I've used a dorman stud in has carried people in it. I've never had a single issue either hand torquing or gauging torque with "ugga duggas".

I'm sure with some digging and a call you'll find that the dorman stud is probably made in the same plant as the any other stud you'll find.

 

I used the Dorman Corvette studs (slightly longer) when I converted to rear disc brakes. They have worked well for the last 6 years with no hint of being a problem.

 

Never had any issues with the 186 studs... I buy them by 5000 at a time from fastenal
you will need a knurl of .472 to .480
moser uses .480 they will be tough to pull in with a washer and nut and impact.
Use more than one washer with oil as lubricant between the washers...and the nut threads too.
Moser has the corvette length studs too at 1.75" P/N 8259 moser part number
Standard length P/N 8060 moser part number