Locking wheel nut advice please

[TeddyJools2010]

Hi everyone and thanks for letting me join. I have just purchased a T6.1 Kombi black edition which is great but I've noticed it hasnt got locking wheel nuts. Im keen to put some on but VW spares cant advise as all the sportline and black editions were sent away to be converted and they cant advise if the wheel nuts are different. I very much doubt they are but wondered if anyone can advise what i should buy please regards Chris

 

[StratosFearXX]

Depends on what wheels are on it as to what kind of bolts they are.

 

[Sasquatch]

My advice is dont.

They do nothing to deter thieves who will arrive equipped with a set of extractors in the common sizes, yet theyre a PITA for the owner.

 

[TeddyJools2010]

Hi everyone and thanks for letting me join. I have just purchased a T6.1 Kombi black edition which is great but I've noticed it hasnt got locking wheel nuts. Im keen to put some on but VW spares cant advise as all the sportline and black editions were sent away to be converted and they cant advise if the wheel nuts are different. I very much doubt they are but wondered if anyone can advise what i should buy please regards Chris

Depends on what wheels are on it as to what kind of bolts they are.

I see they are the 18inch Sportline Alloys

 

[Alster]

Agree with @Sasquatch - the only person they will hinder getting the wheels off will probably be you!

 

[StratosFearXX]

I see they are the 18inch Sportline Alloys

Should be a 'radius bolt' if they're VW alloys but take one out to check first.

Interesting take on not having 'em at all from the Largest Land Predator in the Midlands, probably correct but I hadn't thought about that.

 

[TeddyJools2010]

So on closer inspection i could see that spacers had been fitted on the front and rear. I contacted the guy i purchased from who has been an absolute diamond, and he advised it had 15mm spacers on the front and 20mm spacers on the rear hence the much longer bolts. Certainly was a radius head bolt and I've found somewhere i can get locking wheel nuts to suit, so ill probably get some. Maybe put a touch of copperslip on the thread to avoid future issues?. At the moment the Eibach adjustable suspension that was standard on the black edition he set to its lowest. The look is growing on me but im having it adjusted next week and will raise around 25mm as i think ill prefer that. any advice though is always appreciated, regards Chris

 

[Alster]

I’m pretty sure I am right in saying that you should never lubricate wheel bolts.

 

[TeddyJools2010]

That makes sense. I wont go near the copperslip then!

 

[Lubrown]

My advice is dont.

They do nothing to deter thieves who will arrive equipped with a set of extractors in the common sizes, yet theyre a PITA for the owner.

Even B&Q sell tools specifically to remove locking wheel bolts. £15 a set.
https://www.diy.com/departments/loc...Jkrcw91aZocMhMLjJ5WHCJL_knbO9tXJcbLqIX1zaFGB8

 

[Captain Quick]

So on closer inspection i could see that spacers had been fitted on the front and rear. I contacted the guy i purchased from who has been an absolute diamond, and he advised it had 15mm spacers on the front and 20mm spacers on the rear hence the much longer bolts. Certainly was a radius head bolt and I've found somewhere i can get locking wheel nuts to suit, so I’ll probably get some. Maybe put a touch of copperslip on the thread to avoid future issues?. At the moment the Eibach adjustable suspension that was standard on the black edition he set to its lowest. The look is growing on me but im having it adjusted next week and will raise around 25mm as i think ill prefer that. any advice though is always appreciated, regards Chris

Like most makers, Volkswagen advise that wheel bolt threads should be ‘dry’. It’s not a good idea to put any Copaslip (a heatproof mix of powdered copper and clay) or any form of lubricant on wheel bolt threads. There is a real risk of over-tightening and snapping the bolt if you do. Some manufacturers such as Porsche, recommend that the dished area under the bolt heads are lightly lubricated. Anti-seize compound should also be applied to the contact area of the back of the wheel where it is mounted against the wheel hub.

It seems there are better anti-seize compounds than Copaslip, most notably Optimoly TA, Molykote or Permatex. These are all aluminium based and therefore more suitable for use with alloy wheels.