Bought wheel adapters to replace wheels on 1985 Vette. Putting 2000 model Vette wheels on. What type lug nut do you use to hold adapter on? If I use the original lug nuts, the new wheels cannot mount flush on the adapter. The nuts are too long to let the wheel fit flush.

 

Get the same type wheel nut BUT less the threaded external for the plastic cap. You can find them in various heights. Your local AP store and you're looking for M12 X 1.50 "bulge" style nuts. You want to make sure that the hex of what you buy is 19mm or 3/4" so that your wheel wrench will fit. Check it!!

GOOGLE might be a friend checking M12 X 1.5 BULGE WHEEL NUT

Dorman 99900 might be a good choice and I'd think at all of the local auto parts stores. If the spacer actually isn't done for the "bulge" then there's many to chose from even shorter.

 

Thank you! This solved my problem. I'm an old fool at a new game, I need all the help I can get!

 

Two questions:
1) Did you purchase a 3/4" adapter? If so most after market wheels are not recessed where the lug nuts holding the adapter to the original studs will protrude and hold the wheel away from the adapter. You need to go to a 1" adapter if this is the case.

2) The 2000 wheels you purchased? After market or original Corvette? See above. Original Corvette should have a recess that would accommodate the lug nut.

 

The issue with fitting aftermarket wheels is often their lack of a recess for the adaptor mounting nuts. Then you need a thicker adaptor and the wheel extends outside the fender or the overall track isn't what you hoped for. Buyer beware!!

 

If the recess isn't in the wheel the OP has purchased it's NOT a problem creating the required bore in whatever the wheel is if the OP wants to use the 3/4" spacer. You just create a template for the 5 X 4 3/4 and do a bore on the wheel back-side to accommodate the protrusion.

OP never mentioned 3/4 - only that if he used the OE nuts that have the external threads (he didn't mention specifically but all C4's use) that he had an issue. If the OP had 1" spacers he would likely have the same issue until he purchased the shorter nuts that I mentioned. The OE externally threaded nut is I believe taller than 27mm. If he tried the OE nut even with wheels that had the recess he would have likely still had the issue because the recesses are generally very narrow, the hex is 19mm across the flats, the threads are 24mm and the hex is likely greater than 22 at the widest across.

OP doesn't need a thicker spacer unless the wheel he intends to use has a mating surface to the hub that won't accommodate the recess in the wheel back-side. It's very unlikely that's the case.

*** There are also specialty wheel nuts that are maybe 17mm total height for use with spacers but those are a harder find. Less than 17mm maybe? I've never looked.

***** Nuts with less than 15mm height are available.

OP - How thick are your spacers?

 

I have 1" spacers with 2003 (IIRC) OEM rims on the back of my '92. I didn't have any clearance issues with the spacers and rims. Lug nuts that came with the spacers fit inside the spacers and the studs fit into the recesses of the 2003 rims.

@ Fuqua, just take one of your existing lug nuts to your local auto parts store and pick out a shorter lug nut than you have. Also, make sure you don't have clearance issues with your exhaust like I did.

 

The wheels I purchased are original 2000 Corvette. The adapter is 3/4 inch. I ordered them from Eckler's.

 

Take one of your adapters with you to the AP store and drop a couple choices that they may have into the adapter with it flat on their counter. Your concern is a 60° seat and the 12 X 1.5.

In this link if you needed to you could purchase nuts with a height of close to 15mm. You need to use the drop-down.

http://www.wheeladapter.com/lug_nuts.php

I would think you can do yours "local" and that is certainly preferred but these are an option. The owner of that company has passed and he had done several sets of custom spacers for me and others. I've no reason to expect less than the service I had from them and I always looked forward to the conversation with Fred. He was a very interesting person. The company he owned is Deluxe Manufacturing and they did much more than just wheel adapters/spacers. Read Fred's BIO.

I've never purchased studs or nuts from them and I hadn't even thought to check there until after someone posted "can't be done". There's every reason to expect a successful wheel/tire install. Your wheels should have the recess that's been mentioned.

If all of your local choices seem tall fit them to the recess and check. The recessed area might need "massaged" but I'd like to think it's unlikely.

 

Thought so....the 3/4" adapter. If the studs are also sticking out past the adapter, you will either have to replace the studs with a shorter stud and a shorter lug nut......not something I would recommend OR go to the 1" adapter.

Per WVZR-1
OP doesn't need a thicker spacer unless the wheel he intends to use has a mating surface to the hub that won't accommodate the recess in the wheel back-side.
If the recess isn't in the wheel the OP has purchased it's NOT a problem creating the required bore in whatever the wheel is if the OP wants to use the 3/4" spacer. You just create a template for the 5 X 4 3/4 and do a bore on the wheel back-side to accommodate the protrusion.

I am not sure I would want to bore holes in the back side of the wheels myself. I do have all the equipment, my concern would be the balance of the wheel. To have it done by a machine shop would be costly. Cheaper to buy the 1" adapter.

 

Well - I'd think you might be more interested than just suggesting purchasing a larger piece of material that has the potential of creating even greater balancing issues. I've a friend that always balances a wheel when purchased and tire balance is always done after. He also balances rotors before use also.

I understand some of what you've mentioned but I don't quite get the concern that you mention. Not trying to be argumentative but balance I don't believe is as substantial issue as you hint.

 

WVZR-1, I agree that balance may not be a critical issue. I have the equipment and experience to drill out the wheels. I guess my real concern is that the OP may not and might hack things up badly and be in worse shape than he is now. Adapters see to run about $60 each and are probably a cheaper alternative than a machine shop. The adapters are machined on a lathe, so they are truly round. And the holes for the studs also also CNC machined. They have to be much closed to being balanced than having someone drilling holes in the wheels.

 

The OP doesn't need to drill holes - he won't even need to massage a recess in his wheels. I gave him all the options for getting even a 15mm height nut that WILL WORK - he said his wheels are OE so they will have the recess. The back and forth I believe isn't needed the OP has all of the information needed to use the 3/4 spacers he's got - I didn't once doubt the OP's talent once he acknowledged that "now I understand".

 

Thank you, everyone! Got the new wheels on. Reviewed all suggestions received, bought "regular" 12 x 1.5 lug nuts, installed adapter and wheels fit perfectly. I certainly appreciate the prompt response from everybody. Maybe I can help someone down the road!