Wheel Bolt Question

[Billip]

I've got a quick question about wheel bolts... I got a nail threw my summer tire tonight, and it's pretty much flat (slow leak). It has aftermarket conical shaped bolts holding it on, and I left my regular VW bolts at my friends house way down in the south where I store my winters. Can I use my aftermarket bolts to hold on my spare so I can drive to get the summer fixed? I just don't want my wheel to fall off!

This is probably a dumb question, but I'm kinda dumb sometimes.

Thanks!

[Khyron]

Re: Wheel Bolt Question

It would probably make it, but I wouldn't do it. Instead of the stress being spread out, it's concentrated in the smaller contact area. You could very well sheer your bolts right off and lose the wheel entirely. Even if you don't, you could create stress fractures.

Get a ride down to get your bolts, and take comfort in the fact that you won't forget them next time (I did the exact same thing last year).

Khyron

[FlyBoy]

Re: Wheel Bolt Question

No bag of bolts with spare? Mine does in the tool kit.

[tirebob]

Re: Wheel Bolt Question

If you put your spare on with the wrong bolts, the main concern is that they may loosen off while driving. If you need to do it to limp to a tire shop and get your tire fixed, just be careful and pay attention to whether or not it feels like they are backing off, and don't fly on the deerfoot to get there, otherwise the best is obviously getting the correct bolts. Keep 5 in your spare compartment for whenever you need your spare...

[Billip]

Re: Wheel Bolt Question

Thanks for your input guys. I'll definitely have to go and pick up my bolts when I get this fixed so this doesn't happen again!

[Mr. Burns]

Re: Wheel Bolt Question

I did the exact same thing. I now keep 5 standard bolts in my glovebox just in case.