so i am looking to get new wheels and they only come in 12mm holes. i know that texas works had a conversion for that but it seems like those have dissappered from their site. i've tried emailing them but haven't heard back from them. anybody know if thats discontinued? or anywhere else i can get a conversion kit?

 

Let's see, you've got (4) 14mm bolts that hold the stock wheels, and you want to reduce the size to 12mm?

I think it's a much better idea to get wheels that will fit the stock bolts. Or have the wheels drilled out to 14mm...

 

Should find the kit at way motor works

 

That will reduce your wheel choices then. Also I have a set that are used but I am willing to part with them because the wheels I currently have just happen to fit the stock lug bolts.

 

well yeah...pretty much all jdm wheels are 12mm and i want to convert to studs anyways. and im already gonna dish out 1300 for the wheels so why not just get the correct size studs for them?

 

they only seem to have the 14.25 --> 14.5 conversion. can't seem to find the 12mm conversion

 

I know that TXWerks is presently out of stock on the conversion kit, and Jeff doesn't have any idea yet just when they'll have more available.

I wound up getting my kit from WMW, and it looks like they're still listing the kit on their site. Check out http://www.waymotorworks.com/m14-to-...rsion-kit.html

I actually got a kit with one defective stud, and I'm presently working with Way and Jeff to try to snag a single replacement. It's a shame, as I've got a set of wheels just sitting in the closet waiting to go on...Ah well, I'm sure you'll have better luck- so have at it.

 

Have you considered why Mini went through the effort to upgrade to 14mm bolts? Just could be they know something you don't. Think twice about downgrading.

I would not let a tire store drill out my wheels. I would only let it be done in a machine shop who could mount the wheel on an index table and get the hole correctly concentric and true. It is much cheaper to buy the correct wheel in the first place.

 

"Unbelievable as it may sound, the interface between the wheel and the hub carries the load. That's right,
the vertical planes which contact each other transfer all shear loads by static friction." This is a quote from Dr. Mike at Texas Speedwerks.

Dr. Mike has his act together and the complete article on this subject it can be found here:

http://www.txwerks.com/images/Instal...on%20Notes.pdf

 

45K miles on TSW conversion studs with lots of track days. Nary an issue. The question is why did MINI go with a 14x1.25 bolt. Not since Alfa in the 70's has any other company used this size and pitch. Could it be that MINI saw all the aftermarket wheels being sold, said we will make it more difficult and drive more people to MINI wheels.

 

Notice the much higher torque spec, and hence clamping force.
I also believe this is the size used bu most of their cars.

 

BMW uses 12x1.25 on their entire range. Only MINI in late 06 went to the 14mm

So again the question is why...

There are hundreds of thousands of 02-mid 06 MINI's out there on 12mm ones. If there was a problem with the size not being strong enough and causing problems don't you think we would of heard about by now?

I could understand 14m if they went to 14x1.5 that many others use incl. MB and VW, but 14x1.25, thats just odd.

 

Changing a design costs a lot of money, so I again beg the question of why they did this. They are not stupid people. (only the dashboard designer) Before you second guess something as safety-important as keeping your wheels on, think carefully.

Remember, there was a rash of loose lug bolts on a lot of cars. Mine were under 30 Lbs as delivered by the dealer.

 

Actually I don't think it that much as other BMWs use the 14mm. Perhaps unification was the reason?

Lose lugs does not have much to do with the size of the bolt, insufficient size would present stretching or breaking problems.

 

cool info. still need to find a set of conversion lugs...anyone have a set?

 

I have a set. $75 shipped?

 

pm sent

 

hey guys, so i received the studs from trippinbillies and of course they do have some signs of use and rust, just on the surface. i was just wondering if there was a simple way to clean them before i install them on my car or i should i not worry about it.