V8V Wheel Nuts
Discussion
I recently discovered whilst removing a wheel to get to the brake pads, that I had a couple of swollen nuts! Whilst it wasn't painful, I was a tad annoyed as my main dealer had not mentioned it when they had it only a couple of weeks beforehand for another issue and would have had to remove the wheels, but its easy to overcome by using a 23mm socket rather than the normal 22mm.
Anyway, looked through the forum and found that its a fairly common issue, especially with Fords, due to the use of a chrome cap over the inner core of the nut itself and water getting in there and starting the corrosion process. The threads also mention the use of Transit nuts, probably the only other vehicle using 14 x 2.0 threads rather than paying the Aston tax to get originals. I duly found a full set on the bay for a fraction of the price, note that due to not having a chrome cap, they use a 19mmm socket.
When I started to fit them I noted that there was a key difference between the originals and the new ones in that the originals use a captive/floating washer arrangement. Looking a bit further, I was less concerned as it appeared that the majority of these floating washers actually didn't rotate anyway although after a soak in WD40 they have now 'un-seized'. So on with the new ones, this is where I became more concerned. They just didn't seem to 'settle' against the wheel correctly when tightening them up. I torqued them up and a couple seemed to grate against the wheel face, but all reached the torque setting.
Went for a drive and all seemed well to start. However, after a couple of miles and hitting 60mph I started to feel vibration and noise not heard before. Pulled over and gave the wheels a shove and could see that there was movement between wheel and hub. Duly gave the nuts a tweak, this made it better but not perfect. Returned home and swapped the nuts back over, did same drive problem gone.
So, was I unlucky, did I not do something correctly, others obviously are using alternatives without issue? Who knows, but whilst I am an advocate for not spending Aston tax where its not necessary by the use of alternative parts, there are situations where only the real thing will do. So a full set of originals is now on its way.
Anyway, looked through the forum and found that its a fairly common issue, especially with Fords, due to the use of a chrome cap over the inner core of the nut itself and water getting in there and starting the corrosion process. The threads also mention the use of Transit nuts, probably the only other vehicle using 14 x 2.0 threads rather than paying the Aston tax to get originals. I duly found a full set on the bay for a fraction of the price, note that due to not having a chrome cap, they use a 19mmm socket.
When I started to fit them I noted that there was a key difference between the originals and the new ones in that the originals use a captive/floating washer arrangement. Looking a bit further, I was less concerned as it appeared that the majority of these floating washers actually didn't rotate anyway although after a soak in WD40 they have now 'un-seized'. So on with the new ones, this is where I became more concerned. They just didn't seem to 'settle' against the wheel correctly when tightening them up. I torqued them up and a couple seemed to grate against the wheel face, but all reached the torque setting.
Went for a drive and all seemed well to start. However, after a couple of miles and hitting 60mph I started to feel vibration and noise not heard before. Pulled over and gave the wheels a shove and could see that there was movement between wheel and hub. Duly gave the nuts a tweak, this made it better but not perfect. Returned home and swapped the nuts back over, did same drive problem gone.
So, was I unlucky, did I not do something correctly, others obviously are using alternatives without issue? Who knows, but whilst I am an advocate for not spending Aston tax where its not necessary by the use of alternative parts, there are situations where only the real thing will do. So a full set of originals is now on its way.
I’ll happily seek out non-OE parts where they aren’t safety-critical (eg I have Mazda pollen filters fitted).
However, when Aston Engineering diagnosed half a dozen swollen nuts when it was in for service, I simply couldn’t be bothered trying to save a few quid over the £7 or so that AE wanted to charge per nut
Still a daft design though - my youngest son has the same issues on his Jag XJ
However, when Aston Engineering diagnosed half a dozen swollen nuts when it was in for service, I simply couldn’t be bothered trying to save a few quid over the £7 or so that AE wanted to charge per nut
Still a daft design though - my youngest son has the same issues on his Jag XJ
the issue is likely that there was not enough space in the nut to allow for the exposed thread, so stopped you getting effective torque on the wheel.
The collar aspect isn't a factor in terms of torque as its steel to steel on the nut side.
Using open ended nuts is a better solution and allows a visual check on engagement.
The collar aspect isn't a factor in terms of torque as its steel to steel on the nut side.
Using open ended nuts is a better solution and allows a visual check on engagement.
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