Thread: Wheel nuts too wide

Originally Posted by wouldbeowner

It says that if "any part of the thread is not engaged" then the setup would not be compliant.

That would make it appear that the issue is not whether the nut is deeper than the thread, but whether all of the available thread is engaged.

In that case, the intent of the regulation makes sense. Imagine an extreme case where the nut has about ten threads, but nine of them sit outside the end of the stud. Using only one thread to hold the wheel when the manufacturer provided ten would obviously be unsafe.

Regulations preferably need to be written so that they are clear, unambiguous and not open to subjective judgement. A regulation that required the inspector to decide for himself if there was enough thread still holding the wheel on would not be a good idea.

However, I can see a way that someone who wanted to live dangerously could circumvent the intention of the regulation, yet still comply with the letter of the law.

Put capped nuts on then you can't see the thread

Originally Posted by lambrover

Put capped nuts on then you can't see the thread

Can you get these for the defender?

Using mag wheel nuts such as on a Disco1 would work for the capped wheel nut idea as they can be used on steel wheels too.

Seem to recall Ford being embarrassed with just this issue, on the release of the XD Falcon. New design, got knocked back for rego at press release time.

Protruding nuts just like this - something to do with the tension not being even all along the nut threads.

Regards
Max P

I had this as a fail when I did a blue slip on my old SIII 88in about 10 years ago so all we did was gring the top off the wheel nuts so they where about 5mm shorter, stupid rule but he insisted on following it.
I also stated the same to him that how can you tell if a capped nut is fully engaged which stumped him.
You could use the wheel nuts of a newer defender extreme with the boost alloys as they are all capped , get it past rego and then put back on the steel wheel nuts. I think you can get them from evilbay or LRA in Vic.

Alternately there are longer studs available (late 130 I believe).

However, I have had multiple landies through the RWC process in multiple states (my 110 lived in NSW from 1987-2000). The wheel nut issue was commented on once by one inspector in QLD (saying technically the issue was a fail), however it has never been knocked back on that.

Originally Posted by isuzurover

Alternately there are longer studs available (late 130 I believe).

All the current Defenders with the 6.5" steel wheels have the same appearance.