A stud conversion kit allows for the conversion of wheel lug bolts to wheel lug nuts (studs) and offers a number of benefits. Lug bolts, although mostly forged in one piece, can be structurally divided into threaded rods and conical (round) bases, which are interconnected by rims and hubs and do not require the support of studs. Lug bolts are commonly found in European car brands such as Audi, BMW, VW, etc.
The advantages are that OE bolts are cheaper for manufacturing, fewer parts mean lower production costs and OE lug bolts are mostly lighter than OE studs and nuts as there is only one part and all that is involved in the underspring weight, the lighter mass may result in faster acceleration and shorter braking distances, although this change is of course slight. Its disadvantage is that when you want to change a set of rims with different contact surfaces, you may need to buy a whole new set of lug bolts to match, which is more expensive compared to lug nuts, apart from this, the inconvenience of lug bolts in terms of installation can be annoying for many people.
Lug Nuts and Studs
The two main types of lug nuts and studs are the following, which are available either as OE parts or in the aftermarket parts market.
With conical or ball bases: these lug nuts are characterized by the different angles of contact on each mounting base, they may be 45 degrees, 60 degrees, or curved, these different contact surfaces help to tighten the lug nuts to the rim when tightening and provide friction to prevent them from falling off, this type of lug nut is often seen in motorsport (NASCAR, LeMons, etc.) to quickly change new tires and rims, using the high powered air impact wrench for quick installation to save time in the pits.
Open lug nuts: similar construction but the ends are not closed, meaning that the lug nuts can be used through the stud, allowing the nut to be used on the longer stud, also very common in motorsport.
Principle of Stud Conversion Kit
The Stud conversion kit is divided into two parts, the stud, and the lug nuts. The short threaded end of the stud conversion kit is fitted to the hub, acting as a stud in Japanese cars, and works on the same principle. Align the rim to the studs for installation, a process that is not at all troublesome, and finally use the lug nuts for fixing, using the appropriate torque values. The Stud conversion kit protects the bolt holes of the hub to a large extent from the damage.
Advantages of Stud Conversion Kit
- The BONOSS Titanium Stud Conversion Kit, for example, can accommodate wheel spacers up to 20mm without changing the length of the stud. If lug bolts are used, they will need to be replaced with extended lug bolts, and these lug bolts are only used when installing wheel spacers, as incorrect thread engagement can lead to rim dislodgement, causing instability in driving.
- Related to the lug nuts mentioned above is the quick change of rim in motorsport. Use the stud conversion kit to align the rim to the stud for quick calibration and installation. If you change the aftermarket rim more frequently, it is recommended to use the stud conversion kit. Lug bolts can be cross-threaded during multiple replacements, causing damage to the lug bolts, and the price of repairing or buying a lug bolt is considerably more expensive than brand new lug nuts.
- The titanium material makes the stud conversion kit lighter than the lug bolts, weighing only 62g per stud conversion, including the stud and lug nut.
- More friendly to aftermarket rim, only need to replace the lug nuts with different contact surfaces to install, no need to buy new lug bolts, the stud conversion kit is a more convenient solution.
- The stud conversion kit is more friendly to hub bolt holes, multiple changes of lug bolts can lead to thread damage, especially in case of accidental rim knocking during installation, reducing the possibility of repairing hub bolt holes.
