When do wheel bolts need replacing?

[FieldAtlanta]

Whizzed the wheels of my Cayman (2007 car) and noticed two of the wheels bolts look to be in poor nick with the cone “washer” for want of a better word, split / cracking.

Do these pose a risk and need replacing urgently or safe to leave?

Thanks

[Scrump]

The ones on my 996 went like that. I replaced them.

[steveo3002]

2 or 3 years ago

[some bloke]

Yeah, my boxster ones were like that. I would definitely replace them asap

[FieldAtlanta]

steveo3002 said:

2 or 3 years ago

Haha, okay - point received!

On places like Design 911 I can see most are just replacement sets with no locking nuts… is this the norm? Expensive endeavour to replace locking wheels nuts too.

If anyone could share a link or point me to the direction of where they get theirs from that would be great.

Cheers

[brillomaster]

I got a set of 20 bolts ( no lockers) for my 986 off ebay for £50. Nice and shiny they are too.

[anonymous-user]

Judging by the signs of some sort of copper-slip or equivalent on the bolts these may have been over-tightened resulting in cracking the sleeve. The use of a lubricant reduces the friction when tightening leading to being over-torquing.

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

I wouldn't replace the locking wheel bolts with new ones. No one really nicks alloy wheels these days.

[FieldAtlanta]

Thanks all, helpful responses so will get them replaced for peace of mind. I went quite deep into researching locking wheel nuts and have decided not to bother with them and instead replace with standard bolts.

Potentially silly questions but:
- should I replace all bolts or just those which are visibly splitting on the ‘cone’ part?
- can I do this on the ground 1 bolt at a time (backing all off and torquing up in a star pattern) or best to jack up?

[Krikkit]

Do them all, and yes you can remove one at a time.

Make sure you match the taper/curve radius on your existing bolts to the new ones.

[anonymous-user]

FieldAtlanta said:

Thanks all, helpful responses so will get them replaced for peace of mind. I went quite deep into researching locking wheel nuts and have decided not to bother with them and instead replace with standard bolts.

Potentially silly questions but:
- should I replace all bolts or just those which are visibly splitting on the ‘cone’ part?
- can I do this on the ground 1 bolt at a time (backing all off and torquing up in a star pattern) or best to jack up?

I would replace all of them, as for the second query, no idea but I would suggest there is a link between alloy thefts being low now and everyone and his dog having locking wheel nuts on their cars as standard.

Why make it easy for your wheels to be pinched. If locking wheel nuts are standard on the car I can't see the insurance being too impressed if you chose to remove them and the wheels go missing.

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

gottans said:

I would replace all of them, as for the second query, no idea but I would suggest there is a link between alloy thefts being low now and everyone and his dog having locking wheel nuts on their cars as standard.

I would disagree, I think that its more to do with every man and his dog having alloy wheels. Unless they are something really special, rare and sought after, there is a very small second hand market for sets of used alloy wheels. Hence they are worth very little.

It's a bit like TomTom sat navs, at one time of day a thief would smash your window and grab it from the windscreen if you left it on display. Now I doubt they'd give it a second glance as there is no real market for them as the world has moved on to built in navigation, Google maps etc.

[anonymous-user]

Matt_E_Mulsion said:

gottans said:

I would replace all of them, as for the second query, no idea but I would suggest there is a link between alloy thefts being low now and everyone and his dog having locking wheel nuts on their cars as standard.

I would disagree, I think that its more to do with every man and his dog having alloy wheels. Unless they are something really special, rare and sought after, there is a very small second hand market for sets of used alloy wheels. Hence they are worth very little.

It's a bit like TomTom sat navs, at one time of day a thief would smash your window and grab it from the windscreen if you left it on display. Now I doubt they'd give it a second glance as there is no real market for them as the world has moved on to built in navigation, Google maps etc.

Quite possible but the OP should have enough info to be able to make an informed decision and your view above is just one part of the analysis as is my view. It might be rare but it is a royal PITA if does happen.

[AmgMercedes]

Matt_E_Mulsion said:

I wouldn't replace the locking wheel bolts with new ones. No one really nicks alloy wheels these days.

Really. I’m sure many would disagree with you

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

AmgMercedes said:

Matt_E_Mulsion said:

I wouldn't replace the locking wheel bolts with new ones. No one really nicks alloy wheels these days.

Really. I’m sure many would disagree with you

Well I work in the breakdown recovery industry and I can assure you that cars attended to now with stolen wheels are quite few and far between. Certainly not prolific like they were 10/20 years ago. You are far far far more likely to have your catalytic converter nicked than your wheels.

[AmgMercedes]

Matt_E_Mulsion said:

AmgMercedes said:

Matt_E_Mulsion said:

I wouldn't replace the locking wheel bolts with new ones. No one really nicks alloy wheels these days.

Really. I’m sure many would disagree with you

Well I work in the breakdown recovery industry and I can assure you that cars attended to now with stolen wheels are quite few and far between. Certainly not prolific like they were 10/20 years ago. You are far far far more likely to have your catalytic converter nicked than your wheels.

Ah ok fair point I suppose. If you are in trade as such you should know.
Well I’m surprised if that’s the case.

[FieldAtlanta]

Thanks all! Went ahead and replaced all bolts. Frustratingly only a couple were in bad condition but good to know it’s done I suppose.

[GreenV8S]

FieldAtlanta said:

Frustratingly only a couple were in bad condition but good to know it’s done I suppose.

Given the cost of a bolt and the consequences of it failing, even one in bad condition is a good enough reason to replace the whole set.