Whoops.

[AlfaSeltzer]

I just finished replacing the rear brakes on my 1976 Spider. I got the wheel bolts as tight as I could by stepping on a decent size 3/4" ratchet. I was in a rush and really should have used a breaker bar but thought it would be good enough for a quick test drive around the block.

Looks like I either didnt tighten down the bolts tight enough, the bolts were too short or the threads were stripped already because after 5 or 10 miles when I hit the brakes I had my drivers side rear wheel fly off.

Luckily the new brakes are OK and after bending and banging the brake dust shield back I cant even tell anything happened. I now have a set of stripped wheel bolts and the threads where they bolt in to are damaged as well.

As far as I can tell where the wheels bolt in to on the rear is integral with the axle assembly. Can I drill out the old holes and tap them out to accept a different size bolt or am I better off just replacing the rear axles?

[mbouse]

of course you could drill and run some new threads. be careful you don't go too big as to make an issue of the new bolts fitting your wheels.

are the threads stripped so bad that rethreading with a 12mm x 1.25 tap will not work?

then again, replacing removes any doubt.

[AlfaSeltzer]

I'll have to clean them off and take a better look at them. Previous owner covered the wheel bolts in anti-seize.

[manoa matt]

Are you using steel wheel lug bolts with alloy rims? One thing you could do is to drill out the holes and get studs pressed in.

[AlfaSeltzer]

I'm still running steelies. Would it cause issues if I were to use wheel studs/nuts with them?

[mbouse]

not if you can maintain compatibility with the other three wheels by not drilling or changing the bolt pattern

[majicwrench]

You may have gotten them TOO tight. If I recall, the proper torque is something like 45lbs, which is much less than a typical American car or truck.
Keith

[TulsaSpider]

Yea waaay too tight!

[AlfaSeltzer]

On at least one hole the threads are completely gone. I think I may have to go ahead and go the stud route.

Anyone know what size/length I should be looking for?

[mbouse]

i'd suggest staying as close to what you have already.

12mm x 1.25 threads

[pope]

LOL, do you stomp on the shifter to get it in to reverse also? WOW. Easy does it.

[AlfaSeltzer]

i'd suggest staying as close to what you have already.

12mm x 1.25 threads

What I'm concerned about is getting the correct knurl diameter on the new studs. I guess I'll have to take some measurements after I drill out the threads.

LOL, do you stomp on the shifter to get it in to reverse also? WOW. Easy does it.

You mean my shifter isnt supposed to look like this?

[mbouse]

wrong forum for that picture

[kilrwail]

OK, show of hands...who had one of these? One here... Oh we'd better not - we could flood this thread.

[mbouse]

one ??