Wheel bolts keep coming loose. Advice please

Messages
405
Location
County Durham UK
I use winter tyres on steel wheels on my 2011 Skoda Octavia , usually from October to April and the original alloys for the rest of the year.

The steel wheels were sold as "use original bolts" and look identical to the steel spare in the boot but are not VAG parts.

In the last two years when I swap back from winters to summers the bolts come loose again after a few hundred miles. I always make sure the bolts are tightened to 120Nm using a torque wrench.

What I think is happening is that although the bolt holes in the steel wheels have the radiused mounting face that matches the bolts it does not extend as far as on the alloys so after six months of gunge there is a partly corroded and pitted surface on the bolt attempting to tighten to the alloys when I swap back. Over time this is getting to be more of a problem.

I wondered if anyone else has encountered a similar problem?

I'm thinking the only long term solution is a new set of bolts to keep exclusively for the alloys and keep the originals for the steel winters or am I overthinking this?

Sadly Skoda dealer is quoting £123 for full set of bolts including 4 locking ones!
 
And how much is a set of bolts from spare parts dealers other than Skoda?
That's next on the job list but so far I haven't found a set of locking bolts that looks reasonable name/quality. Plain bolts vary in price quite a bit and some of the cheaper ones are clearly specced wrong ie not radiused. Like anything on the internet once you start looking into the pros and cons it gets confusing with some people quoting a brand as good and others saying avoid like the plague. I would hate to spend a significant portion of the cost and get something not quite right. I suppose that's the issue with going to a dealer.
 
Use some " lock tight" on the threads of the bolts and if you follow the instructions on the tube, ie everything must be free of dirt or oil your bolts should stay put untill you unbolt them, a cheap fix. P.
 
Last edited:
Deffo get some proper bolts for steelies from a scrapper. I'm sure there will be plenty with steelies on in scrappies. Doesn't have to be off a Skoda either does it? Aren't they the same car as VW, Audi and Seat? Agreed - Skodas are decent cars, some people think they are the bees knees in an Audi which is no better, god knows why!!
 
Use some " lock tight" on the threads of the bolts and if you follow the instructions on the tube, ie everything must be free of dirt or oil your bolts should stay put untill you unbolt them, a cheap fix. P.
No no no under no circumstances do this. I was unger the impression 140nm was the correct torque,according to autodata.
They should be
Thread size: M14 x 1.5
Thread length: 27mm
Overall bolt width: 24mm
Overall bolt length: 48mm (inc the head)
Seat type: Radius (round or spherical shaped)
Bolt material: Toughened steel
Bolt finish: Bright zinc plated
Socket size: 17mm Hex
They are the same steel or alloy wheel
 
No no no under no circumstances do this. I was unger the impression 140nm was the correct torque,according to autodata.
They should be
Thread size: M14 x 1.5
Thread length: 27mm
Overall bolt width: 24mm
Overall bolt length: 48mm (inc the head)
Seat type: Radius (round or spherical shaped)
Bolt material: Toughened steel
Bolt finish: Bright zinc plated
Socket size: 17mm Hex
They are the same steel or alloy wheel
If anybody should know it will be @fatboy1971 so I bow to his superior knowledge after all he is a Greasemonkey, ( meant with the upmost respect) I am only a Blademonkey , he knows better. :) P.
 
Ok i will stand slightly corrected 120 + or - 10nm on autodata. But they are listing 2 differant studs both for the alloy wheel. One is a connical nut and one a fixed coller the only differance is one says lubricate the connical collar the other says dont lubricate any including mating surfaces.
But we were instructed by east of england ambulance to tighten the octavia and scout (octavia 4x4) to 140nm regardless of bolt.
Bolt kits are new and avalible on the bay of e for
£20.0 for a set of 20 ,plus locking nuts but tbh nobody is gunna steel a set of standered wheels.
So £25.0 For 25 bolts will surfice.
 
And on thinking overnite, if you have already had a loose steel wheel then the wheel would have been damaged and will keep coming loose, the hole will be elongated and no longer round causing the wheel to chatter, and cause the stud to stretch.
 
Back
Top Bottom