1990 4×4 Suburban wheel stud length question?
Question:
I have a 1990 4×4 GMC Suburban (which I really like). My mechanic was putting on new brakes and he said that the wheel studs (the bolts that the lug nuts screw onto) are not long enough, saying that only 8-10 threads are grabbing. He says that this is dangerous. I have 6 on each wheel. The guy that had the Suburban before me put really nice aluminum wheels on it (as well as many other nice additions) and my mechanic says that they are to thick where the studs go through. He pulled one out and sent it to the local GM dealer to see if they could get a longer one ….but they said no. So, he is suggesting that I get Steel wheels to replace the aluminum ones, saying that they are thinner allowing more of the lug nut to grab. I like the current wheels but don’t want to be unsafe as I do take my wife and four children out in the suburban. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance, David — Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed. Pr. 16:3 Before you buy.
Response:
You can easily get longer studs at most any local auto parts store. They should be able to look them up and then just give you a longer version of it, but it would help to have one off so they can match diameter/thread count. Beware, however, that if your going to extend the stud much longer than 1/4-3/8" then wheels you have are not of the highest quality and should be replaced. Aluminum wheels do tend to be a wee bit thicker, but if thier too think, this means the manufacturer has opted for more material rather than a better grade of aluminum. Not a good thing. 1990 Burban…..great truck..one of the last of a great line! Ken – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have a 1990 4×4 GMC Suburban (which I really like). My mechanic was > putting on new brakes and he said that the wheel studs (the bolts that > the lug nuts screw onto) are not long enough, saying that only 8-10 > threads are grabbing. He says that this is dangerous. I have 6 on each > wheel. > The guy that had the Suburban before me put really nice aluminum wheels > on it (as well as many other nice additions) and my mechanic says that > they are to thick where the studs go through. He pulled one out and > sent it to the local GM dealer to see if they could get a longer > one ….but they said no. > So, he is suggesting that I get Steel wheels to replace the aluminum > ones, saying that they are thinner allowing more of the lug nut to grab. > I like the current wheels but don’t want to be unsafe as I do take my > wife and four children out in the suburban. > Any suggestions? > Thanks in advance, > David > — > Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed. Pr. 16:3 > Before you buy.
Response:
i have aftermarket alloy’s on my tahoe and i have no problem with the wheel studs, but my wheels use "tuner" nuts. (like all those slammed little rice rockets use) so my nut goes on like 3/4" in the front, and 1/2" in the back (i have 1/4" spacers on the back) and i haven’t had a problem. if you really like the wheels, you could have them machined a bit to make them work better. either shave out the back a bit to thin it out or machine out the nut seats to let them go in deeper. this is an option, but more than likely, new wheels is cheaper and safer for that. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have a 1990 4×4 GMC Suburban (which I really like). My mechanic was > putting on new brakes and he said that the wheel studs (the bolts that > the lug nuts screw onto) are not long enough, saying that only 8-10 > threads are grabbing. He says that this is dangerous. I have 6 on each > wheel. > The guy that had the Suburban before me put really nice aluminum wheels > on it (as well as many other nice additions) and my mechanic says that > they are to thick where the studs go through. He pulled one out and > sent it to the local GM dealer to see if they could get a longer > one ….but they said no. > So, he is suggesting that I get Steel wheels to replace the aluminum > ones, saying that they are thinner allowing more of the lug nut to grab. > I like the current wheels but don’t want to be unsafe as I do take my > wife and four children out in the suburban. > Any suggestions? > Thanks in advance, > David > — > Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed. Pr. 16:3 > Before you buy.
