tuvok4711 Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Any idea why on both of my rear wheels one wheel bolt is significantly shorter than the other three? (apart from the mechanic being clumsy when originally assembling...)Does not make any sense to me why you would have something like that as a original build. The nut for the shorter bolt still fits well enough; yet I wonder if this is correct or if I should try to sort it out correctly next time I visit my garage...Cheers,Steven Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted February 4, 2022 Member Share Posted February 4, 2022 No idea why yours are like that.But there is an issue on Sevens where if you use closed-ended nuts on the wrong length studs the attachment can be insecure.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuvok4711 Posted February 4, 2022 Author Share Posted February 4, 2022 so you are saying that as a security measure (prevention from unfastening in case someone might use the wrong nuts) one shorter stud was used on purpose?(it is only on the rear axle, though. The bolts/studs on the front are all the same length...) Funny things altogether yet to be discovered on Caterhams... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted February 4, 2022 Member Share Posted February 4, 2022 "so you are saying that as a security issue (prevention from unfastening in case someone might use the wrong nuts) one shorter stud was used on purpose?"No. I have no idea why yours are like that.But if the nuts are closed-ended then I'd check what's happening when they're tight. The stud mustn't bottom out in the nut.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR400D Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 The short one isn't in properly or it's the wrong component. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerobod - near CYYC Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Any stud with less than 6 turns of nut engagement is dangerous, optimally the length of engagement should be equivalent to the diameter of the stud.In this particular case, Steven, I would say you don't have a standard Caterham fitment, with at least 3 of the studs being fitted post-factory due to having shanks that aren't threaded all the way down to the hub, together with a non-standard universal slotted spacer which doesn't seem to be accurately centred on the hub. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted February 4, 2022 Leadership Team Share Posted February 4, 2022 What is the spec of the car and what wheels do you have fitted? It's not normal to have wheel spacers and this might be related to there being a short stud.Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuvok4711 Posted February 4, 2022 Author Share Posted February 4, 2022 But if the nuts are closed-ended then I'd check what's happening when they're tight. The stud mustn't bottom out in the nut.Yes, nuts are closed-ended and the shorter one seems to have enough "space" within the nut (approx 15mm I would say).I think ScottR400D is probably right: wrong component. As there is a track extension disc (is that what it is called?) assembled (see photo in original post) I think that when back then fitting this, the original studs (i.e. the now shorter ones) were left and the three longer ones where fitted. Maybe whoever did that didnt have enough longer studs left so he had to improvise... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuvok4711 Posted February 4, 2022 Author Share Posted February 4, 2022 ah, sorry guys. I did not see the last two post before I posted mine.So:@aerobod: thanks; I will check tomorrow if there are at least 6 turns for stud to fasten. (my guess would say that it is pretty much the diameter of the stud as you said. My approx judgement was 15mm which should be enough; nevertheless I will take a look when being back at the car)@aerobod and SLR No.77: Yes, I agree that the spacer does not really look right. It also did not feel right, meaning it seems to sit rather loose on the studs; width of spacer is approx 2cm... Wheels are 185/60R13 with 6J Minilites. Do you feel I should rather get rid of the spacer? (but then I would have to fit 3 shorter studs again...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beagler Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Spacer not central and shorter stud will cause balance issues as well as being dangerous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Improvise = bodge! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_Arundel Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Added lightness and even more if the wheel overtakes you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 Take the spacers off please.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Lowe Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 Take the spacers off please... Oh how I wish BC had a "like" button Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Fox Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 My guess is that one stud was shortened to fit a locking wheel nut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drumster Posted February 5, 2022 Share Posted February 5, 2022 For stud lengths and recommended number of turns have a look at ECR's contribution (8th post) on this thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
O.G. Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 I don't know the configuration of your car but are the bolts of the "D" headed type? If so, is it possible the the short ones are actually pushed back and have turned so are not actually bedded down correctly. This would need to be corrected immediately.I second dumping the spacers!O.G. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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