All about wheel studs and nuts

Read T · 03-23-2014, 12:50 PM

IN CASE YOU'RE SEARCHING, OR THINKING ABOUT NEW WHEELS!:

1) OEM Wheels must be used with OEM (or OEM style) lug nuts
2) OEM (or OEM style) lug nuts must be used with OEM wheels
3) Aftermarket lug nuts must be used with aftermarket wheels
4) Lots of aftermarket wheels for our car require extended studs (the stock ones are too short to properly engage 6-7 threads on the nut). Please see illustration below.
5) 50mm studs (such as Z1) will still allow use of OEM wheels and OEM lug nuts with no spacer needed and are long enough for many aftermarket wheels
6) Longer studs >50mm will require either a wheel spacer or open end-converted OEM lug nuts to use OEM wheels
7) 50mm studs are not compatible with the OEM locking lug nuts in the rear of the car due to clearance on the cap of the nut
8) F+R OEM studs have a different part number and differ in length by a few mm but can be interchanged
9) OEM stud thread is 12x1.25

The distance in RED in the picture below is larger on most aftermarket wheels when compared to OEM. Since the distance is larger on aftermarket wheels, this means less stud threads protrude through the face of the wheel and is why I used extended studs for aftermarket wheels.

Open Ended OEM lug nut. Made in a few seconds with a dremel and cut off wheel

Make sure you use proper lug nuts, torque the down correctly, and have enough threads engaging between the studs and nuts. Otherwise this:
rx7 wheels fall off during autocross - YouTube

Replacing Front Studs:
DIY: Front Stud replacement/ Spacer install
Replacing Rear Studs:
DIY: ** Rear 20mm stud replacement spacers
Helpful info on Lug Nuts
Lug Nuts - The definitive guide

Reason For this thread: after installing 50mm studs. I can run OEM wheels with OEM lug nuts with the caps still on, then drive to the track and bolt on aftermarket wheels (in my case 18x10 +34 Forgestars) with no need for changing studs or installing spacers.

Original post:
Does anyone know the OEM (non-nismo) wheel stud length? it's a few mm longer in the front than the rear. I'm getting 40mm rear 42mm front. Also, what is the knurl length and diameter (14mm?)

Read T · 03-23-2014, 01:46 PM

The one on the left is an OEM FRONT stud
The one on the right is Z1's 50mm

edconline · 03-23-2014, 03:48 PM

Where are you measuring that length from? I have the OEM studs in front of me and they are 47mm if measured end to end off the car. The .565/14mm knurl is fine for us yes.

Also, in your description above I believe you meant OEM on the left, Z1 on the right.

Edit: Also, I'm getting a 4mm difference front to rear on the studs, but I'm using a tape measure so I'm sure it's not exact. Any particular reason you are looking for such an exact length?

Read T · 03-23-2014, 04:09 PM

Thanks so much for the reply edconline,

I am looking for a stud that I can use for running aftermarket wheels (forgeline in my case) and be able to still run OEM wheels and OEM lug nuts without using a spacer anywhere.

This morning I installed 50mm studs on the rear and *thought* I would have clearance issues with the cap of the OEM lug nuts (I was seeing a slight protrusion of the 50mm Z1 stud from my custom-open ended oem lugnuts). After that, I posted this thread. I just went back though and marked the 50mm studs with a little grease on the end, and installed the OEM wheel and lugnuts - and no grease was transferred over to the inside surface lug nut cap. So it looks as though I can run 50mm studs F+R and retain otherwise all OEM parts. The reason I was looking for such a specific length was that I thought the 50mm studs would have clearance issues in the back. But I think we're good!

And yes, I guess I did get the studs mixed up in the picture haha. The shiny one is Z1

Read T · 03-23-2014, 04:10 PM

Short story. 50mm studs F+R. You can still use OEM wheels/OEM lugs without a spacer, and can bolt on aftermarket wheels.

edconline · 03-23-2014, 04:41 PM

Good to know, glad it worked out!

XPNSD IT · 03-24-2014, 10:58 AM

Also good to know the front/rear studs are different lengths OEM. I was just looking into this. Can anyone confirm the lengths Read T measured. (Not saying Read T isn't a reliable source). Just want to be sure.

Read T · 03-25-2014, 12:39 PM

I'd love to see someone else measure it. That said it doesn't really matter - while they are different part numbers from Nissan they are also interchangeable Front to Back. (although technically that could throw off the rotating assembly balance).

The 50mm studs Z1 sells are advertised as +10mm, so I'd say somewhere on the car there is an OEM 40mm stud haha

edconline · 03-25-2014, 12:53 PM

I agree it doesn't matter the sight difference front to rear, a couple mils you would never notice without specifically measuring them.

Read T · 03-25-2014, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edconline

Where are you measuring that length from? I have the OEM studs in front of me and they are 47mm if measured end to end off the car. The .565/14mm knurl is fine for us yes.

I was not including the hat on the stud

edconline · 03-25-2014, 12:56 PM

Yup, I figured that after I asked lol.

Read T · 03-25-2014, 01:27 PM

My measurements were probably a little off anyways, I was just kinda eyeballing it

Read T · 03-25-2014, 01:28 PM

MODS: I put lots of info in the first post which others may find helpful, sticky material for wheel/tire section? It took me tons of searching to compile what is above.

Read T · 03-28-2014, 09:30 AM

End work, I can easily bolt on/off my F14s or OEM wheels. I have tons of thread engagement on the gorilla lug nuts I'm using and am very happy with the setup (minus looking a little battleship at the rear wheels)

Tribalpinoy91 · 07-20-2014, 10:07 AM

This is great info. Theres not much to my knowledge of accurate and documented info. Thanks I could of used this months ago better late than never

03-23-2014, 12:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
Read T A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,046 Drives: 11 Nissan 370z BC 6M Rep Power: 17	All about wheel studs and nuts IN CASE YOU'RE SEARCHING, OR THINKING ABOUT NEW WHEELS!: 1) OEM Wheels must be used with OEM (or OEM style) lug nuts 2) OEM (or OEM style) lug nuts must be used with OEM wheels 3) Aftermarket lug nuts must be used with aftermarket wheels 4) Lots of aftermarket wheels for our car require extended studs (the stock ones are too short to properly engage 6-7 threads on the nut). Please see illustration below. 5) 50mm studs (such as Z1) will still allow use of OEM wheels and OEM lug nuts with no spacer needed and are long enough for many aftermarket wheels 6) Longer studs >50mm will require either a wheel spacer or open end-converted OEM lug nuts to use OEM wheels 7) 50mm studs are not compatible with the OEM locking lug nuts in the rear of the car due to clearance on the cap of the nut 8) F+R OEM studs have a different part number and differ in length by a few mm but can be interchanged 9) OEM stud thread is 12x1.25 The distance in RED in the picture below is larger on most aftermarket wheels when compared to OEM. Since the distance is larger on aftermarket wheels, this means less stud threads protrude through the face of the wheel and is why I used extended studs for aftermarket wheels. Open Ended OEM lug nut. Made in a few seconds with a dremel and cut off wheel Make sure you use proper lug nuts, torque the down correctly, and have enough threads engaging between the studs and nuts. Otherwise this: rx7 wheels fall off during autocross - YouTube Replacing Front Studs: DIY: Front Stud replacement/ Spacer install Replacing Rear Studs: DIY: Rear 20mm stud replacement spacers Helpful info on Lug Nuts** Lug Nuts - The definitive guide Reason For this thread: after installing 50mm studs. I can run OEM wheels with OEM lug nuts with the caps still on, then drive to the track and bolt on aftermarket wheels (in my case 18x10 +34 Forgestars) with no need for changing studs or installing spacers. Original post: Does anyone know the OEM (non-nismo) wheel stud length? it's a few mm longer in the front than the rear. I'm getting 40mm rear 42mm front. Also, what is the knurl length and diameter (14mm?) ValidusVentus, Tribalpinoy91 and l2iceman like this. __________________ 2011 Nissan 370z Black Cherry Sport Pkg - Daily Driver, , 1960 Morgan +4 fun car, 1986 BMW 325ES, 1998 M3 and 1996 Spec Miata - Race Cars SUPPORT TEAM WINSOME RACING - WRL, CHUMP, LEMONS Last edited by Read T; 08-01-2014 at 09:08 PM.

03-23-2014, 01:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
Read T A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,046 Drives: 11 Nissan 370z BC 6M Rep Power: 17	The one on the left is an OEM FRONT stud The one on the right is Z1's 50mm __________________ 2011 Nissan 370z Black Cherry Sport Pkg - Daily Driver, , 1960 Morgan +4 fun car, 1986 BMW 325ES, 1998 M3 and 1996 Spec Miata - Race Cars SUPPORT TEAM WINSOME RACING - WRL, CHUMP, LEMONS Last edited by Read T; 08-21-2014 at 11:32 PM. Reason: OEM left, Z1 right

03-23-2014, 03:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
edconline Track Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Edmonton Posts: 855 Drives: 10' MB Z34 6MT T/S/N Rep Power: 22	Where are you measuring that length from? I have the OEM studs in front of me and they are 47mm if measured end to end off the car. The .565/14mm knurl is fine for us yes. Also, in your description above I believe you meant OEM on the left, Z1 on the right. Edit: Also, I'm getting a 4mm difference front to rear on the studs, but I'm using a tape measure so I'm sure it's not exact. Any particular reason you are looking for such an exact length? __________________ View Journal Audio Build Last edited by edconline; 03-23-2014 at 03:51 PM.

03-23-2014, 04:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
Read T A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,046 Drives: 11 Nissan 370z BC 6M Rep Power: 17	Thanks so much for the reply edconline, I am looking for a stud that I can use for running aftermarket wheels (forgeline in my case) and be able to still run OEM wheels and OEM lug nuts without using a spacer anywhere. This morning I installed 50mm studs on the rear and thought I would have clearance issues with the cap of the OEM lug nuts (I was seeing a slight protrusion of the 50mm Z1 stud from my custom-open ended oem lugnuts). After that, I posted this thread. I just went back though and marked the 50mm studs with a little grease on the end, and installed the OEM wheel and lugnuts - and no grease was transferred over to the inside surface lug nut cap. So it looks as though I can run 50mm studs F+R and retain otherwise all OEM parts. The reason I was looking for such a specific length was that I thought the 50mm studs would have clearance issues in the back. But I think we're good! And yes, I guess I did get the studs mixed up in the picture haha. The shiny one is Z1 edconline likes this. __________________ 2011 Nissan 370z Black Cherry Sport Pkg - Daily Driver, , 1960 Morgan +4 fun car, 1986 BMW 325ES, 1998 M3 and 1996 Spec Miata - Race Cars SUPPORT TEAM WINSOME RACING - WRL, CHUMP, LEMONS

03-23-2014, 04:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
Read T A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,046 Drives: 11 Nissan 370z BC 6M Rep Power: 17	Short story. 50mm studs F+R. You can still use OEM wheels/OEM lugs without a spacer, and can bolt on aftermarket wheels. edconline likes this. __________________ 2011 Nissan 370z Black Cherry Sport Pkg - Daily Driver, , 1960 Morgan +4 fun car, 1986 BMW 325ES, 1998 M3 and 1996 Spec Miata - Race Cars SUPPORT TEAM WINSOME RACING - WRL, CHUMP, LEMONS

03-23-2014, 04:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
edconline Track Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Edmonton Posts: 855 Drives: 10' MB Z34 6MT T/S/N Rep Power: 22	Good to know, glad it worked out! __________________ View Journal Audio Build

03-24-2014, 10:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
XPNSD IT Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 298 Drives: 09 370z/16 Hyper STI Rep Power: 13	Also good to know the front/rear studs are different lengths OEM. I was just looking into this. Can anyone confirm the lengths Read T measured. (Not saying Read T isn't a reliable source). Just want to be sure. __________________ I be getting HIGH just to balance out the LOW

03-25-2014, 12:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
Read T A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,046 Drives: 11 Nissan 370z BC 6M Rep Power: 17	I'd love to see someone else measure it. That said it doesn't really matter - while they are different part numbers from Nissan they are also interchangeable Front to Back. (although technically that could throw off the rotating assembly balance). The 50mm studs Z1 sells are advertised as +10mm, so I'd say somewhere on the car there is an OEM 40mm stud haha __________________ 2011 Nissan 370z Black Cherry Sport Pkg - Daily Driver, , 1960 Morgan +4 fun car, 1986 BMW 325ES, 1998 M3 and 1996 Spec Miata - Race Cars SUPPORT TEAM WINSOME RACING - WRL, CHUMP, LEMONS Last edited by Read T; 03-25-2014 at 12:49 PM.

03-25-2014, 12:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
edconline Track Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Edmonton Posts: 855 Drives: 10' MB Z34 6MT T/S/N Rep Power: 22	I agree it doesn't matter the sight difference front to rear, a couple mils you would never notice without specifically measuring them. Read T likes this. __________________ View Journal Audio Build

03-25-2014, 12:56 PM	#11 (permalink)
edconline Track Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Edmonton Posts: 855 Drives: 10' MB Z34 6MT T/S/N Rep Power: 22	Yup, I figured that after I asked lol. __________________ View Journal Audio Build

03-25-2014, 01:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
Read T A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,046 Drives: 11 Nissan 370z BC 6M Rep Power: 17	My measurements were probably a little off anyways, I was just kinda eyeballing it __________________ 2011 Nissan 370z Black Cherry Sport Pkg - Daily Driver, , 1960 Morgan +4 fun car, 1986 BMW 325ES, 1998 M3 and 1996 Spec Miata - Race Cars SUPPORT TEAM WINSOME RACING - WRL, CHUMP, LEMONS

03-25-2014, 01:28 PM	#13 (permalink)
Read T A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,046 Drives: 11 Nissan 370z BC 6M Rep Power: 17	MODS: I put lots of info in the first post which others may find helpful, sticky material for wheel/tire section? It took me tons of searching to compile what is above. __________________ 2011 Nissan 370z Black Cherry Sport Pkg - Daily Driver, , 1960 Morgan +4 fun car, 1986 BMW 325ES, 1998 M3 and 1996 Spec Miata - Race Cars SUPPORT TEAM WINSOME RACING - WRL, CHUMP, LEMONS

03-28-2014, 09:30 AM	#14 (permalink)
Read T A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,046 Drives: 11 Nissan 370z BC 6M Rep Power: 17	End work, I can easily bolt on/off my F14s or OEM wheels. I have tons of thread engagement on the gorilla lug nuts I'm using and am very happy with the setup (minus looking a little battleship at the rear wheels) __________________ 2011 Nissan 370z Black Cherry Sport Pkg - Daily Driver, , 1960 Morgan +4 fun car, 1986 BMW 325ES, 1998 M3 and 1996 Spec Miata - Race Cars SUPPORT TEAM WINSOME RACING - WRL, CHUMP, LEMONS

07-20-2014, 10:07 AM	#15 (permalink)
Tribalpinoy91 Track Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 607 Drives: 370z PW Rep Power: 13	This is great info. Theres not much to my knowledge of accurate and documented info. Thanks I could of used this months ago better late than never

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