Not exactly, there are two situations that you don’t have to trim wheel studs for spacers. Take a look at the inside of your wheels and make sure the mounting plate has pockets machines into it and isn’t solid. Then measure the cavity in your wheels to check out how much it will allow for the stud to go past the spacer outer surface. Giving an example, if the depth of the wheel pocket is 15mm, and the OEM stud length is 30mm, then the minimum thickness of the wheel spacers that will perfectly fit is 15mm (30 – 15 = 15). If the cavity is not deep enough, then changing to thicker spacers will be OK. If the depth of the wheel pocket is 8mm, and the OEM stud length is 30mm, then the minimum thickness of the wheel spacers will be 25mm (8 + 25 ≥ 30). In this case, a 25mm wheel spacer will recess all the lugs in it, so you don’t need to trim any studs.
Can I Change Studs to Fit Wheel Spacers?
If your wheels are lacking pockets or a flat surface, changing to proper aftermarket wheel studs is another solution. It is a normal operation for those who would like to install slip-on wheel spacers. The most important premise is to ensure that there is enough thread engagement. For example, if the thread is M12x1.5, then you need at least 12mm thread length for lug nuts to lock the wheel spacers in place safely. Besides, stronger strength ensures your studs don’t break easily. BONOSS wheel studs are Grade 12.9 (higher strength than the OEM ones are) and are strong enough to bear more force. For most vehicles, using more than 25mm wheel spacers will not have such a predicament whether your wheels have pockets or not. But they may be too large for some vehicles. It is also possible to extend the width and depth of the wheel pockets on a grinder/pneumatic. It is highly recommended to process this according to the wheel structure and the advice of the experts.
The wheel pockets are not enough for recessing all the lugs when installing a 15mm wheel spacer. There is a gap that is not safe.
The wheel pockets are enough for recessing all the lugs when installing a 25mm wheel spacer. There is no gap. The wheel is perfectly flushed.
How Do You Cut Studs for Spacers?
As long as you operate correctly and ensure a full thread engagement, cutting studs to fit wheel spacers is safe and reliable. Wind one of the spacer’s nuts to the bottom of the stud. Using an angle grinder or hack saw to cut in line with the thread (flush with the lug nut), clean up any burrs with a file, and then unwind the nut which then cleans the threads up. Spray a little lube on the threads and back off that open-end lug that you put on first. That will help clean the threads you just cut. Since the spacer is secured by the OEM studs, and the wheel is fastened by the provided studs of wheel spacer, grinding OEM studs to fit spacers will not shorten the thread engagement and weaken the strength. Get this project done in a reputable tire shop, or under the guidance of a professional, then you are good to go.
