I have been trying to mount my Sendel S70 wheels for auto-x. They are 15x6, 4x100 with a 40 offset. Problem seems to be that the holes for the lugnuts are too narrow for the flared end of the bolt to go in far enough for the bolt to grab the hole in the hub.

What should I do?

 

There are generally two sorts of lug bolt seats. one is sort of a acorn-shaped curve, the other is a cone. I forget which the MINI uses.

So first thing you need to do is make sure you're using bolts with the right type of seat. Sounds like you might need cones (acorns don't seat well in a cone hole, as you might expect.)

There are also a variety of lengths available. If you're not getting enough threads into the hub, get longer bolts. Most autoparts stores carry a selection of bolts in both chrome and black.

Stick an OE bolt in an OE wheel and see how much thread sticks out the back. Now take your new wheel to the store and find a bolt to give you a similar amount of thread sticking out, with a seat that matches your wheel.

Sometimes you'll find bolts in blister packs on the shelf, but you'll also find them in the bolt-bin behind the counter...so you may need to ask.

...david

 

There are two types of lug nut seats. The Mini Cooper uses a conical seat on the factory wheels and most aftermarket.

The other choice is ball seat. That is used a lot on Mercedes Benz in there OE applications.

If the wheels are ball seat you will need a ball seat lug bolt 12x1.5 thread pitch. Which is not very common.

What would be best is a super close up picture so we can try and see the seat of the wheel.. Or to see where the lug nut is getting stuck..

 

Sounds like you need a set of "tuner" lugs.

 

I agree that I need "tuner" lugs, but apparently there are none that are "tuner" lug bolts...

I will take some pictures of the wheels ASAP. In the interim, I ordered a set of longer bolts from Pilo Racing and will see what happens.

Thanks for the input!

 

is the center bore the correct diameter and shape? MINIs use hub centric (sp?) wheels.

 

If the seats don't match, it doesn't matter if you have longer bolts. You may grab more threads but the mismatched seats will probably damage the wheels and will for sure be a dangerous situation. I wouldn't even think about it.

 

Good point... I didn't even think of that. THANKS!

 

If I use longer lug bolts on the stock rims, will I have an interference problem?

 

Use your orginal equipment bolts for your orginal equipment wheels.

Does the wheel sit up tight against the mounting pad without lug bolts?

Can you balance the wheel flat against the mounting pad?


If yes than it's the bolts if no something is not right with the wheel.

Again try and take some pictures, I understand that it is very hard to sometimes to describe with words what is wrong..

 

Actually, at this point the bolts I got from Pilo Racing fit the wheels fine, and the wheel sits flush fine. Th e only question is whether the longer bolts will interfere with anything.

 

Measure how far thru the OEM bolts stick thru your factory wheels. I estimate about an inch or so.


Just make sure the new ones stick thru about that same length as well

 

OK... will do! Thanks for the advice!

They are all mounted on the car and seem fine. It sure will be nice when I get the hub centric rings!

Thanks again for the advice!!!!!!

 

these are tuner lug bolts

 

I have a set just like that from Gorilla top quality. And works great !!

 

Ends-up the bolts fit perfectly! Wheels went on and stayed on


I completed the auto-x and now will switch back to the OEM wheels

Thanks again for all of the support! I really appreciate it!