Is it safe to cut wheel bolts down abit?

[stainesy]

Ok I have just bought a brand new set of 8" wheels for my 85 jetta.
The wheels came with wheel bolts. But when I fit the rear wheels I can hear the end of the bolts catching something inside the drum.
What I want to no is,
Is it safe to chop abit off the end of the wheel bolts?

[jmsheahan]

I may not be an expert but I did this on my Beetle once for that exact reason. No problems arose - just make sure you clean the edges up nicely etc.

[tweed]

Depends how much?
If its a scrape then file the end down.

Cutting it with a grinder will put to much heat in and take the strength out.

Cutting them down with a saw is fine. Just file the end so it's easy to turn in.

[jmsheahan]

Depends how much?
If its a scrape then file the end down.

Cutting it with a grinder will put to much heat in and take the strength out.

Cutting them down with a saw is fine. Just file the end so it's easy to turn in.

Fair points. I chopped around 5mm off of mine with a saw as they were only just catching.

[Thom89]

As long as the length of thread going into the hub, is greater than the width of the thread itself
ie, if the width of the thread is 12mm, then it should penetrate the hub by no less that 12mm this will be your minimum length... careful measuring may be required
Also make sure that the newly cut bolts are nicely de burred so they cant damage the hub in any way

Thom

[stainesy]

Ok nice1 cheers fellas. Think I will try filing first as it is a scrape more than a clong. There is something at the top inside the drum that each bolt is catching.

[Seanl]

Just put a nut or a die on the bolt before cutting. That way when its cut, just undo the bolt or die, and you'll have a nice thread that may just need a tiny bit of filing right at the end.

[VW BUSH]

As long as the length of thread going into the hub, is greater than the width of the thread itself
ie, if the width of the thread is 12mm, then it should penetrate the hub by no less that 12mm this will be your minimum length... careful measuring may be required
Also make sure that the newly cut bolts are nicely de burred so they cant damage the hub in any way

Thom

+1
Golden rule is 1.5 x the diameter, so would be 18mm using he above.
Use a saw to chop off most of it and then dress up and chamfer on a grinder throwing the burr forward.
Best way is get it turned off as this is the cleanest method and least likely to damage the bolt and easier to line up

[sk8boy73]

cut mine down with a grinder. use a slitter disc.will be fine

[tweed]

cut mine down with a grinder. use a slitter disc.will be fine

No it won't 

Bolts have a certain strength for a reason. Using a cutting disc will put so much heat in the bolt it will take the strength away.

I won't explain how metal works and how it forms to create strength, because you proberly wouldn't understand.