Spacers and longer threaded lug nuts
Spacers and longer threaded lug nuts
Author
Discussion

V8VS

Original Poster:

33 posts

2 months

Saturday 4th October
quotequote all
Hi all, after researching wheel spacer options for the VH platform cars there appears to be a couple of options:

1) Bolt on spacers, requiring the factory wheel studs cutting down so they don t foul the wheels. Not an option I d like to pursue as it s a bit of a headache to reverse and potentially puts more stain on the wheel bearings.

2) Small slip on spacers up to 5 / 7mm. Apparently allows the use of existing studs and lug nuts. However, not generally hub centric, so can create some wheel wobble / vibration. Not a hugely noticeable difference over the stock application.

3) Hub centric spacer up to 10 / 12mm. Apparently still ok with the existing studs and lug nuts, provided there are at least 6 - 8 turns remaining on the lug nut thread to secure fully. However, there are mentions of alternative lug nuts with a deeper thread. Apparently the stock nuts only have partial thread and the alternatives have more thread (which seems like a good thing). Apparently the lug nuts Aston use are from a Ford Transit van, meaning more options may be available.

4) Leave as stock. There is an argument for this, as no further headaches. It also divides opinion, as most alterations do. Some people feel any spacer adds additional strain to the wheel bearings. That said, some OEMs offer factory spacers for their cars (Porsche GT cars as an example), which makes you question if it s really an issue.

5) Different wheels with a lower offset, negating the need for spacers, and creating the same aesthetic outcome. Do like the Aston range of wheels for this era though.

I d like to explore option 3 further, but can t find any conclusive information on lug nuts with extra thread.

Is it really a thing?

Is there really enough thread remaining on both the stock studs and stock lug nuts?

If there is only xx mm of stud thread protruding once a spacer is fitted, does extra thread in the lug nut actually mean you wouldn’t use that extra thread, as it will only tighten so far anyway?

Do you risk stretching the stud trying to tighten it further?

Am I overthinking all of this?

What have you done?

Thanks




Edited by V8VS on Saturday 4th October 10:18


Edited by V8VS on Saturday 4th October 10:18


Edited by V8VS on Saturday 4th October 10:25

XMark

170 posts

189 months

Saturday 4th October
quotequote all
I have 11mm spacers, not enough threads left in the oem nuts to be comfortable with, mine came with new nuts threaded to the end. I got them recently from AUTODOC.
I ve never been totally happy with the bolt on type and non concentric slips are just a big no imo



Edited by XMark on Saturday 4th October 10:41

V8VS

Original Poster:

33 posts

2 months

Saturday 4th October
quotequote all
XMark said:
I have 11mm spacers, not enough threads left in the oem nuts to be comfortable with, mine came with new nuts threaded to the end. I got them recently from AUTODOC.
I ve never been totally happy with the bolt on type and non concentric slips are just a big no imo



Edited by XMark on Saturday 4th October 10:41
Thanks Mark, this is exactly the kind of insight I was hoping for. Your car looks fantastic by the way, such a great colour… timeless!

Would you be able to share a link to the AUTODOC items you purchased at all please? Did you add 11mm spacers front and rear?

Cheers

XMark

170 posts

189 months

Saturday 4th October
quotequote all
Thank you smile
I have front and rear, Aurodoc prices fluctuate wildly I find, got mine about 6 months ago for £302/pair. Not cheap but a safe option imo H&R Part no. Is 2265681CR

H&R Wheel spacer in the AUTODOC app https://m.autodoc.co.uk/h-and-r/15746935

V8VS

Original Poster:

33 posts

2 months

Saturday 4th October
quotequote all
Thanks mate. I have generally used H&R on other cars. Over the years, naturally they have gone up in price, it they’ve got a little ridiculous now for Aston.

I’ve seen both of these, SCC and PCD. Both get decent reviews generally. Can’t seem to find any lug nuts with extra thread to suit though. Also can’t determine if they are M14 x 1.5 or M14 x 2.0




XMark

170 posts

189 months

Saturday 4th October
quotequote all
V8VS said:
Thanks mate. I have generally used H&R on other cars. Over the years, naturally they have gone up in price, it they ve got a little ridiculous now for Aston.

I ve seen both of these, SCC and PCD. Both get decent reviews generally. Can t seem to find any lug nuts with extra thread to suit though. Also can t determine if they are M14 x 1.5 or M14 x 2.0



It s the nuts that are the expensive part! Those I linked come with them. Aston tax is alive and well I m afraid

Edited by XMark on Saturday 4th October 19:47

V8VS

Original Poster:

33 posts

2 months

Saturday 4th October
quotequote all
Haha isn’t it just! I’m ok with that when it’s Aston specific (well I say I’m ok with it, we just have to accept it don’t we?!). When it’s a generic aftermarket provider that’s not really doing much different, I’m much less ok with it.

ECPS grill still not arrived…. Hopefully not too long though. Quite like their lightweight carbon seats too.

GT3ZZZ

1,005 posts

188 months

Saturday 4th October
quotequote all
Not on an AM but recently upgraded the brakes on another car and they installed 5mm non hub centric spacers to get the caliper clearance. Soon after took the car for new tyres and the tyre shop was very concerned that there was almost no hub left for the wheel to sit on. So just being seated by the bolts, the hub wasn''t really involved! A disaster waiting.

So went for 12.5mm hub centric spacers with extended bolts (37mm). H&R do a nice kit all made in the Fatherland with locking nuts for each corner.

andratch

16 posts

Sunday 5th October
quotequote all
I have 23MM bolt-on spacers on the rear of my '13 DB9, and 11mm slip on up front.

Depending on your wheels, they may have cut-outs between the holes for the wheel studs, meaning you don't need to cut your wheel studs. This was the case for me. Bolted on with no problem at all.

As for the OEM lug nuts, throw them in the trash. There's about 8mm of headroom before the threads actually start, meaning with an 11mm spacer, you only get about 2-3 threads of contact. THIS WILL STRIP THE THREADS IN THE NUT BEFORE 135 LB*FT.

I replaced the factory lug nuts with these open ended lug nuts, which give a full inch of thread contact even with the 11mm spacers:

amazon.com/dp/B09V7R45FW

Then, I cover them with these chrome caps that look pretty darn close to OEM:

amazon.com/dp/B09V7R45FW

This gives me a lot more confidence using the spacers, because I know I have full lug nut thread contact.






V8VS

Original Poster:

33 posts

2 months

Sunday 5th October
quotequote all
GT3ZZZ said:
Not on an AM but recently upgraded the brakes on another car and they installed 5mm non hub centric spacers to get the caliper clearance. Soon after took the car for new tyres and the tyre shop was very concerned that there was almost no hub left for the wheel to sit on. So just being seated by the bolts, the hub wasn''t really involved! A disaster waiting.

So went for 12.5mm hub centric spacers with extended bolts (37mm). H&R do a nice kit all made in the Fatherland with locking nuts for each corner.
Agreed, not a fan of slip on spacers for exactly this reason. Hub centric or nothing. 👍

V8VS

Original Poster:

33 posts

2 months

Sunday 5th October
quotequote all
andratch said:
I have 23MM bolt-on spacers on the rear of my '13 DB9, and 11mm slip on up front.

Depending on your wheels, they may have cut-outs between the holes for the wheel studs, meaning you don't need to cut your wheel studs. This was the case for me. Bolted on with no problem at all.

As for the OEM lug nuts, throw them in the trash. There's about 8mm of headroom before the threads actually start, meaning with an 11mm spacer, you only get about 2-3 threads of contact. THIS WILL STRIP THE THREADS IN THE NUT BEFORE 135 LB*FT.

I replaced the factory lug nuts with these open ended lug nuts, which give a full inch of thread contact even with the 11mm spacers:

amazon.com/dp/B09V7R45FW

Then, I cover them with these chrome caps that look pretty darn close to OEM:

amazon.com/dp/B09V7R45FW

This gives me a lot more confidence using the spacers, because I know I have full lug nut thread contact.





This is great, thank you. A high tensile lug nut should be about £1-2 really. Happy to pay the £5 or so H&R would be if they are ‘better’ (doubt they are), as it’s only about £100 for the lot, vs hassle. Just can’t find the right ones. The above ones you linked to look right (just to check, are yours M14 x 2? That’s where the link goes, but their options also include M14 x 1.5 so wanted to be sure). The second link has the same URL as the first, so can’t see the covers. If you’ve got a link to them though, that would be great.

Ideally would want a close ended lug nut, but I’ll take what I can. Also, ideally in black if possible.

V8VS

Original Poster:

33 posts

2 months

Sunday 5th October
quotequote all
These ones appear to be the ones you’ve linked to:

M14 x 2 thread pitch, 60 degree cone and 21mm depth:





V8VS

Original Poster:

33 posts

2 months

Sunday 5th October
quotequote all
And these ones appear to be the recommended H&R ones,

Which are M14 x 1.5, cone, 41mm length:




V8VS

Original Poster:

33 posts

2 months

Sunday 5th October
quotequote all
And another equivalent:

M14 x 2, cone, 41mm length, with 21mm thread length:




V8VS

Original Poster:

33 posts

2 months

Sunday 5th October
quotequote all
So nothing very conclusive.

From what I understand the DB9 and VH2 Vantage (V8 or V12) are the same, so overall lug nut length, thread depth, and thread pitch (1.5 or 2.0) should all be the same.

andratch

16 posts

Sunday 5th October
quotequote all
V8VS said:
So nothing very conclusive.

From what I understand the DB9 and VH2 Vantage (V8 or V12) are the same, so overall lug nut length, thread depth, and thread pitch (1.5 or 2.0) should all be the same.
DB9 and V8V use the same studs, lug nuts, and even hub bore. The lug nuts are direct from the Ford parts bin. In fact, lug nuts from our cars are the same as the ones found on a F150 (perhaps not as helpful in the UK, but nice to know for me here in Texas smile ).

FYI, I have 11mm/23mm spacers on my car that came off of a V8V, and bolted up perfectly.

You can absolutely use any of the lug nuts you linked. I like the open ended ones + caps just because it makes sure I don't buy too short of a lug nut and bottom-out before getting fully tight, but all of the ones you linked look plenty "deep" enough.

My suggestion to you would be: go for option #3. With any of the lug nuts you linked, you'll be able to fit a 12mm spacer and still have plenty of thread "bite" on the lugs/studs.

V8VS

Original Poster:

33 posts

2 months

Sunday 5th October
quotequote all
andratch said:
V8VS said:
So nothing very conclusive.

From what I understand the DB9 and VH2 Vantage (V8 or V12) are the same, so overall lug nut length, thread depth, and thread pitch (1.5 or 2.0) should all be the same.
DB9 and V8V use the same studs, lug nuts, and even hub bore. The lug nuts are direct from the Ford parts bin. In fact, lug nuts from our cars are the same as the ones found on a F150 (perhaps not as helpful in the UK, but nice to know for me here in Texas smile ).

FYI, I have 11mm/23mm spacers on my car that came off of a V8V, and bolted up perfectly.

You can absolutely use any of the lug nuts you linked. I like the open ended ones + caps just because it makes sure I don't buy too short of a lug nut and bottom-out before getting fully tight, but all of the ones you linked look plenty "deep" enough.

My suggestion to you would be: go for option #3. With any of the lug nuts you linked, you'll be able to fit a 12mm spacer and still have plenty of thread "bite" on the lugs/studs.
Thanks again Andratch, really useful. I ll see what you re saying about the open ended nuts now. Good for piece of mind, as you can see how much it s secured by.

I m confused with the thread pitch though. Some of the nuts I ve screenshotted are 1.5 and the others are 2.0. So I assume it matter which, and needs to correspond with the studs so they marry up correctly and don t end up stripping the threads. What are your thoughts on this?

Again, appreciate everyone s comments, experience and input. Hopefully this thread will help take some of the guess work out for others too.

Edited by V8VS on Sunday 5th October 17:46

andratch

16 posts

Thursday 9th October
quotequote all
Thread pitch for the V8V is the same as the DB9. M14x2.0. Any site listing 1.5 is incorrect.

For what it's worth, below is a picture of one of my wheel studs/nuts with the 11mm spacer installed. You can see that the stud has full engagement all the way through the nut, and the nut is 1 inch deep. The other nuts are covered by the chrome caps, and it looks OEM.