Cutting Wheel Studs - Safe or No Way?

[89Trooper]

I am putting my stock wheels back on when the weather warms up also, so I didn't have a huge desire to modify my studs from that standpoint also.

Yep! I tested if my math was correct (from the original post) and I put the stock rims on first without the spacer. Would be perfectly safe with plenty of thread engagement (more than the required 14mm).

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[2026DHCARB]

I did the same, after removing de 20 mm spacers, I had around 11 full turns, 15.5 mm, not aerospace, but safe.

I found 20 mm too poky, 25 mm would be even more. If I do it again, I’ll probably go with 15 mm, hence new longer studs, but not for safety matters.

 

[2026DHCARB]

I wonder if the answers about going another route are because of using bolt-on spacers or for cutting wheel studs.

 

[Gregs24]

Three votes recently added for "unsafe" - it's easy to vote, but I would love to understand why you feel that way.

So far, the math proves it's safe... please let us know your views as to why it's unsafe.

The math proves it's safe!

Asking on a forum where nobody has to confirm their actual authority or knowledge to answer a question using I assume 50% plus as safe?

That is most certainly not proof of anything.

 

[Paul's stable]

Three votes recently added for "unsafe" - it's easy to vote, but I would love to understand why you feel that way.

So far, the math proves it's safe... please let us know your views as to why it's unsafe.

Sounds like you have made up your mind already. So just do it and tell us how it worked out for you. I have never used spacers I have always measured 10 times then ordered rims and tires to fit. The set up your talking about sounds like it should be okay.

 

[nickmallet]

i did 20mm eibach spacers and had to cut 4mm for the back wheels
because the pockets weren't as deep as the front. the car seems to drive fine and i just re torqued the spacers after 100km

 

[2026DHCARB]

What slip on spacers are you using on Darkhorse? I can’t find 12 or 15 mm that ensure fitment and that have the hub lip to center the wheel. Thanks.

 

[Gregs24]

Crack on...

 

[keithwalton]

1D thread engagement is the absolute bare minimum for anything.
1.5D is more normal on a loaded application where the bolt will fail before the thread. Full safety is 2D when threading in aluminium etc

 

[Garcia172]

Please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying as I am not claiming to be an expert. I’m not saying your suggestion is or isn’t safe, I’m giving the results of my prior research, and that is an extended stud with slip on spacer is safer than a bolt on spacer.

I would say the main reason is the ability to check the lug nut torque. With a bolt on spacer, once you put the wheel on you have no way of checking the spacer torque. Granted, I am running spacers on my car at the track, so I check lug nut torque frequently on track days, but I’d still be a little nervous on the street not being able to check torque. Additionally, you double the chances for failure. Instead of 5 studs and nuts per wheel, now there are 10 that could break. Lastly, extended studs are made stronger (if buying the appropriate kind) than stock, again increasing reliability.

So while I’m not saying your option is unsafe, I’m saying there are safer alternatives, thus the reason I didn’t cast a vote in your poll.

Slip on spacers are the way to go if you can in terms of safety. Can't run anything other than that on the track... for the reasons you stated. And I'm a track guy so I get it.

That said... I've run, for many years and on several cars... street cars, the bolt on spacers. Zero issues.... but yeah the only time you check the TQ of the spacer is when you do tires or brakes lol (makes me feel guilty a little lol)

Would I run bolt on spaces on the race track (they're not allowed anyway), no. Would I run them on a street car... yes.

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