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Topic: Wheel studs??? Bolts?

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Jax365

20/5/2015 at 11:02am
Location: south cheshire
Outfit: VW Caddy Maxi

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Yesterday the mobile engineer said my wheels need replacing, and not only that, but the studs were actually the wrong ones for the wheels. The wheels are alloy, steel wheels, and the studs are not the right ones, apparently. So I need 8 x 8.8 wheel studs (are these bolts?) for alloy wheels for when I get my new tyres. Any idea where I can get some of these from? The wheels have Avondale stamped on them, and were on the caravan when I bought it, and are not the originals.

What annoys me is that I had a chassis test done by the same man just over two years ago, and he didn't say anything at that time. He now has a young man helping him, and it was the younger man that said they were the wrong ones. And they have always been the same studs, ever since I bought it.

So have I been towing with dodgy wheel bolts for five years or more, or what?

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tango55

20/5/2015 at 11:30am
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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The difference between the two types of bolt are the locking tapers on the rear of the hexagonal bolt head as the angles are slightly different. It's amazing how the wheels bolts haven't come undone because the locking taper is the most crucial part. The only thing I can say is the they were over torqued to apply the security but that may have distorted the thread. When you obtain the correct bolts, if they are difficult to screw in by hand then this will prove that the threads have been stretched but that can only be determined when you fit them.
I always thought that alloy wheels had five wheel bolts and steel had four so it may pay you to get a second opinion before you go and buy more wheel bolts just in case the engineer is wrong.

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JTQU

20/5/2015 at 11:33am
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: Hymer Nova S

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I expect the issue is more to do with the profile of the bolt under the head, rather than the 8.8 which refers to the tensile strength of the bolt?
Some are spherically profiled some are conically.
Any competent caravan workshop will advise and have them.

Jax365

20/5/2015 at 12:13pm
Location: south cheshire
Outfit: VW Caddy Maxi

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Thank you for your speedy replies!

I have put a pic in my gallery, no 3. It has a central bolt marked Alko and four bolts/studs around the outside.If you could just take a look I'd appreciate any extra advice you can give to me.

On the report from the mobile engineer the note says
'Both tyres have cracks: Should be 8.8 wheel stud, steel wheel.' So that's all the info I have!

They have put the wheels back on with the original bolts, but I don't feel safe towing it to a caravan workshop!

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billy

20/5/2015 at 2:35pm
Location: North Essex
Outfit: Caravelair Alba 400

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If you are getting new tyres then your best bet is to get new steel wheels and correct bolts. I would guess you have Alko chassis so you will want standard Alko sized 13inch wheels 100mm pcd 30mm offset 4.5j. Wheels around £35 each from any caravan shop. You will get a few quid for your old alloys from a scrappies.

Jax365

20/5/2015 at 2:58pm
Location: south cheshire
Outfit: VW Caddy Maxi

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Thanks for that, Billy. The caravan tyres I have on and which need replacing are 165/R13/C with a 94/92 load rating. Yes, an Alco chassis.

I phone a few firms to come out and change the tyres, they want between £95 and £144 just for the tyres I assume the price includes the fitting as that was advertised as free!

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JTQU

20/5/2015 at 3:51pm
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: Hymer Nova S

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Your Photo confirms the hubs are indeed AL-KO as this is embossed on the pressed on grease cap you see in the centre.
I would take one of the wheels and a couple of the bolts into a decent caravan workshop. They ought to have no difficulty identifying the seating in the wheel and furnish you with the right bolts; these cost very little in the scale of things. When jacking the van first couple it to your car and only remove the car once the van is on axle stands or substantial blocks so is secure from swinging about the other wheel.

birdman101

20/5/2015 at 3:58pm
Location: Milton Keynes
Outfit: 2023Archway Woodford

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On my 2013 Swift caravan it came with alloy wheels and steel spare.The same bolts are used for both.I appears you have been towing it for five years with no problem.

JTQU

20/5/2015 at 4:38pm
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: Hymer Nova S

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Quote: Originally posted by birdman101 on 20/5/2015

On my 2013 Swift caravan it came with alloy wheels and steel spare.The same bolts are used for both.I appears you have been towing it for five years with no problem.

Then my Hymer which has alloy road wheels is provided with a steel spare with the requisite bolts for a steel wheel. So we don't know if the OPs requires specific bolts for the wheels that it has fitted or not. That it has been okay for 5 years is no indication the ones fitted are correct, but doubtless if involved in a related accident involving an injury, he would quickly be told if the cause was the wrong bolts. It needs sorting and the right bolts, whatever they are, used.
My steel wheels need spherical bolts, the alloys very different profile coned bolts. Respectively at 100 & 120 NM torque up.

Post last edited on 20/05/2015 17:03:41

birdman101

20/5/2015 at 7:12pm
Location: Milton Keynes
Outfit: 2023Archway Woodford

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Our hand book shows same bolts but different torque when steel spare is used

Jax365

20/5/2015 at 8:13pm
Location: south cheshire
Outfit: VW Caddy Maxi

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Quote: Originally posted by birdman101 on 20/5/2015On my 2013 Swift caravan it came with alloy wheels and steel spare.The same bolts are used for both.I appears you have been towing it for five years with no problem.

The ones on my caravan (tiny old 1982 dutch van) originally had smaller wheels. The ones on there that I've been using were fitted retro by the person I bought it from. I have a same size spare wheel on the original spare, except I had to change the tyre size to match the ones that were fitted to the wheels.

The seller included the original wheels/tyres as spares, how generous of him... once I got them home, I found that they were worn out, and I mean you could see the inner lining in places.

Being a puny woman, I would love to undo a wheel and take a bolt to a place and all that, but I don't have a jack, or a wrench or anything to take off the bolts. Never mind torquing them up again and all that!

I'll go and find the handbook. It's in dutch but includes a lot of pictures and numbers... I don't think they made alloys back then though.

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JTQU

20/5/2015 at 10:28pm
Location: Hampshire
Outfit: Hymer Nova S

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Unfortunately as the alloy wheels are not original fit the handbooks info will be of no value for the bolts used on them.

Jax365

21/5/2015 at 8:44am
Location: south cheshire
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That's what I thought, JTQU. And you're right there!

I will have to get someone out, I think. Let them know the problem then they can come out armed and ready!

Budget or mid range tyres - any difference/preference?

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Battie

21/5/2015 at 10:02am
Location: SHROPSHIRE
Outfit: Avondale argente 530 5

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For your tyres try tyres on the drive, they came to a customers while i was there a few weeks ago. We were both very impressed with their service.
maybe invest in some steel wheels before they come and im sure they will do the swap.

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07902012609 / 01948662374

billy

21/5/2015 at 10:40am
Location: North Essex
Outfit: Caravelair Alba 400

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I'm guessing your Kip is well under 900kg fully laden so you will be ok with car tyres 165/80x13. Get them online from tyre-shopper.com about £40 each for mid range. Price includes fitting and balance at nearest National tyres depot. And get new steel wheels, correct bolts and be safe, I would.

If you still have original steel wheels then get new tyres fitted to them. Tyre depot will take small caravan, just tow it there and back it into fitting bay.

Jax365

21/5/2015 at 11:21am
Location: south cheshire
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450 unladen, 650 fully laden, Billy! TBH it's not much bigger than a trailer. I have the old steel wheels (complete with bald tyres) still out the back! Do you think these will do if I clean them up? I could just go and get some new tyres put on them. Think I would still go for commercial van tyres though.

I think the bolts I have are actually the correct ones for these as they look like the original ones to me. ETA the old wheels have been in the garden behind the shed for years... will they still be ok?

Another edit. I would have to work hard on the old steel wheel rims to get them ok. Would rather go with the alloys! As the bolts have been ok and not a problem for the last five years of towing, surely they must be the right ones? (like Birdman suggested - thanks).

Post last edited on 21/05/2015 17:37:48

Post last edited on 21/05/2015 17:38:52

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