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can you convert closed nuts to open by drilling?
MikeR - 6/8/20 at 11:35 PM

So I went to fit my ford Capri X spoke alloys to my cortina uprights tonight. I find the wheels don't get tightened. I'm assuming the closed hub nuts I'm using are bottoming out. To prove it I added a cheap 10mm spacer and everything is fine.

So instead of buying new nuts (40 quid from Burton), decent hubcentric spacers (cheap to lots) could I just drill the tops of the nuts so the thread can come through?

(Or am I missing something stupid?)

cliftyhanger - 7/8/20 at 02:56 AM

A grinder may be easier to remove the top of the nut?
Saying that, a new set of open nuts should not be a lot if M12 or other std size. Assuming taper seats, special nuts for revolutions etc can be pricey

I recently bought a set for about £15 delivered. I don't expect the chrome to last long though.

rusty nuts - 7/8/20 at 06:18 AM

Either deeper nuts or measure how many threads are through the wheel and if enough shorten the studs

steve m - 7/8/20 at 07:06 AM

Or fit wheel spacers behind the wheels

Schrodinger - 7/8/20 at 07:10 AM

You may also find they are not threaded all the way through so you will have to tap the thread.

snapper - 7/8/20 at 08:01 AM

A tip on threaded stud shortening...
Spin on a bolt first, carefully cut stud with a hacksaw or 1mm grinding disc, clean end of stud taking care to belle edge then undo nut gently to work threads to the right shape

snapper - 7/8/20 at 08:04 AM

Or save yourself all the trouble and buy a set of Ford open ended wheel nuts off eBay for £13.99

nick205 - 7/8/20 at 08:19 AM

quote:
Originally posted by snapper
A tip on threaded stud shortening...
Spin on a bolt first, carefully cut stud with a hacksaw or 1mm grinding disc, clean end of stud taking care to belle edge then undo nut gently to work threads to the right shape



Excellent advice - if you don't do this it's too easy to knacker the end of the thread on the studs.

nick205 - 7/8/20 at 08:19 AM

quote:
Originally posted by snapper
Or save yourself all the trouble and buy a set of Ford open ended wheel nuts off eBay for £13.99




Excellent advice again - not a lot of money and IMHO the correct solution.

MikeR - 7/8/20 at 04:56 PM

I've got to the point in life were I'll spend a little to make life easier & don't like the idea of cutting nuts down as I'm sure later on I'll find I needed the length. So new nuts it is, just don't want to spend the Burton fortune so looking for cheaper with the captive washer. Will look on eBay, was looking on Amazon (have to do a house purchase so could hide the cost

r1_pete - 7/8/20 at 11:53 PM

You might find your existing nuts just have a pressed cap on, to give the impression of a dome nut, these can be tapped off.