Re: Help! Hub and spacer issue!?
I know of a Scottish company that is happy to refit OE radiused locking bolts to aftermarket wheels (where conical bolts are supplied) without informing the customer. It's not something I would do and a shame because they are the official UK distributor for their reputable product. No kind anmes. Unfortunately I'm unable to name them publicly without risking legal escalation, but maybe you can name your supplier so that others can ask appropriate questions if considering them.
Edited for typo ;)
Re: Help! Hub and spacer issue!?
Splash, my supplier is based in Falkirk. I don't particularly want to name them. But would be interesting to know if your supplier is based in the same area?
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Re: Help! Hub and spacer issue!?
Yeah, I understand the not naming bit. My supplier was down the M74 and fitted a few cars on-site in what was primarily an import and distribution operation. You'd think with the small number of physical fittings to cars (maybe 2 or 3 a week max) they might be able to have the correct locking bolts ready for the customers who were all booked in. I did suggest to them that rather than get it wrong and risk damaging the car, they route all "mounted" orders through one of their customers who is a specialist. I guess there's a trade-off between profit and safety and I sit at a different point on that line.
Re: Help! Hub and spacer issue!?
People might take for granted that it's simple enough changing a wheel or sticking on a set of alloys, spacers or chromed bolts and let some inexperienced guy get on with it, but they are modifying a designed and tested safety critical assembly. mixing conical and radiused bolts and wheels should never be done.
I was asked years ago to look at a four wheeled plant trailer, which had lost a wheel on the road somewhere, the nuts were still tight on the studs but all rounded of to stumps, the wheel had come off over the nuts because new wheels had been fitted with 1/2" holes onto 3/8" studs, the conical nuts had bottomed out tight onto the hub rather than seating properly on the conical seats of the wheel, the wheels were effectively loose and one had rattled enough to wear away the holes over the nuts.