Wheel Stud Bolts Stripped
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Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Winnipeg, Canada
Wheel Stud Bolts Stripped
I changed to summer wheels/tires and after driving a few days three bolts worked their way loose/out, leaving two remaining to hold the front wheel on my 2010 A5 Quattro 2.0L. Rather severe shimmying developed before discovering the problem. Taking the two bolts out was extremely difficult, but when out I found threads stripped on both bolts. A new bolt will not now thread into the holes. I suspect the wheel hub holes are full of bolt thread or stripped also. Not wanting to immediately replace the wheel hub, is it possible to clean the holes with a tap so that new bolts will properly hold?
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humm, that sucks....looks like they are really cheap to replace tho....
http://www.andysautosport.com/audi/2...eel_studs/h&r/
http://www.andysautosport.com/audi/2...eel_studs/h&r/
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 86
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From: Winnipeg, Canada
I might have misled by calling them studs. I stripped bolts, similar to the OEM bolts except they are 15mm longer @ 43mm seeing that I was also using a 15mm spacer (which was also damaged in this incident and needs replacing too).
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 365
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From: Naperville, IL
I'd be concerned as to why the bolts worked loose. Do you know whether they were properly torqued to 95 lb-ft? And were the correct bolts used in conjuction with the 15mmm spacer, specific for the wheels yuo are using (i.e conical versus ball seat)?
I had a similar occurence at the track a few years back - noticed on the warm up lap that I was getting a horrible vibration from the front end. Luckily I was able to get off track without incident and found that the bolts on one of the front wheels had worked loose (but not fallen off). Luckily no damage to the hub - so I was able to retorque and head out again. This occurred on the 4th run of the day and I know I had checked torques in the morning, so lesson learned: check mounting bolt torques before each track run. But on the street I have never had an issue with bolts that were properly torqued working loose.
It may be possible to clean up the threads in the hub, but I would suggest taking the car to a professional repair shop. You may find that a new hub is the best approach, to ensure no long term issues.
I had a similar occurence at the track a few years back - noticed on the warm up lap that I was getting a horrible vibration from the front end. Luckily I was able to get off track without incident and found that the bolts on one of the front wheels had worked loose (but not fallen off). Luckily no damage to the hub - so I was able to retorque and head out again. This occurred on the 4th run of the day and I know I had checked torques in the morning, so lesson learned: check mounting bolt torques before each track run. But on the street I have never had an issue with bolts that were properly torqued working loose.
It may be possible to clean up the threads in the hub, but I would suggest taking the car to a professional repair shop. You may find that a new hub is the best approach, to ensure no long term issues.
Last edited by ChipB; Mar 26, 2012 at 12:22 PM.
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Winnipeg, Canada
My mechanic was able to clean out the wheel hub blot holes with a tap. He said it took a lot of work, but they came clean. I'll have to keep the wheel caps off for a while to check the bolts often for 90 pounds-foot torque until I am sure they are not backing out. Thanks all.
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My mechanic was able to clean out the wheel hub blot holes with a tap. He said it took a lot of work, but they came clean. I'll have to keep the wheel caps off for a while to check the bolts often for 90 pounds-foot torque until I am sure they are not backing out. Thanks all.
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