wheel bolts

[blue metal]

have been checking spare wheel.
luckily winch gear is ok with a new looking cable.
removed and cleaned up the spare wheel and painted it
As I have alloys if i use spare in case of puncture
do the same bolts work for steel wheel?
or should there be different bolts?

glad I checked, the state of spare rim was shocking
had to wire brush severely.

blue metal

[Mirez]

Ahhh the old bolt question... this gets asked loads on lots of forums with no real answer. The general consensus is that if the alloy bolts weren't ok then the manufacturer would have to provide steel replacements for the spare.

[gregers]

funny aint it,ive never seen a question like this ever before.
but thinking about it,it is a very good question to ask.

and reading your reply mirez i too would come to that conclusion.

[Madbaz]

I've seen this question a few times, VW's ETKA lists the same part number for steel and alloy wheels, however in the Galaxy handbook it says that different bolts should be used when fitting a steel spare , iirc my old Aspen had the same bolts that came with my Mk2 Ghia.

[blue metal]

thanks for the replies lads
nice to see the experts not realy sure either

I suppose i use the bolts and  get wheel sorted SAP.

madbaz
where in the handbook is the bolt info?
ive just been reading through it.

blue metal

[Madbaz]

iirc it's in the bit about roadside emergencies and changing to spare wheel, it mentions a spacesaver too . Will have a proper look over the weekend. The part numbers on ETKA are deffo the same for both steelies and alloys.

[SilverBeast]

I always thought the main reason for different bolts for alloys was to prevent electrolytic corrosion due to dissimilar metals. I assumed that bolts for alloys sould be fine for steelies.

Possibly a problem if the alloy is thicker than the steel where the bolts fits and a shorter bolt used for steel wouldn't get enought thread engagement in a thicker alloy.  A longer bolt would therefore be fine as long as it doesn't "bottom" and not hold the wheel enough, or stick through the back of the hub, assuming it's a through hole, and foul something!

[Mirez]

That's one of the reasons, the other is that alloy is much softer then steel. Alloy bolts have a wider chamfered washer so prevent "pull through" - the extremely scary issue of the nut pulling through the alloy entirely!