Older VAG Locking Wheel Nuts are poor quality accessories
Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2004 2:14 pm
I had to have a wheel bolt drilled out this week as I went to the tyre garage to get new tyres and the locking wheel bolt was ceased (or done up too tight). 
The problem appears to be common to the VAG LIGHT Wheel Nuts. These were accessory items sold by VW (VAG). These were the Mrk 2 version of locking wheel bolts apparently.
As they are LIGHT, by the very notion of them being light they are made of soft poor quality steel.
The outer collar slides around the outside of the inner nut and the three holes for the locking nut are soft, whilst the locking wheel nut has three wholes for the 3 studs inside the locking bolt, the latter studs bend when undoing the nut if too tight. Then you have the problem - drill out the locking nut. Or, if possible you chisel off the collar and bang a socket onto the inner circular bolt and then turn - it may then turn off, if you're lucky.
Dealers are advising you replace these with the Mrk 3 version of the VAG locking nut - I have some new ones now and they are much better made and much tougher! No holes and no studs to bend.
WARNING: Put it this way, if these VAG light nuts are soft and bendy, and you get a puncture on the motorway, how are you expected to get your wheel off? The only option is to get towed and get it drilled out to change the tyre or wheel. Not nice.
So, if you've got these old VAG LIGHT wheel bolts, I'd recommend you get the new Mrk 3 versions. At least you can guarantee to undo them and get your wheel off.
The problem appears to be common to the VAG LIGHT Wheel Nuts. These were accessory items sold by VW (VAG). These were the Mrk 2 version of locking wheel bolts apparently.
As they are LIGHT, by the very notion of them being light they are made of soft poor quality steel.
The outer collar slides around the outside of the inner nut and the three holes for the locking nut are soft, whilst the locking wheel nut has three wholes for the 3 studs inside the locking bolt, the latter studs bend when undoing the nut if too tight. Then you have the problem - drill out the locking nut. Or, if possible you chisel off the collar and bang a socket onto the inner circular bolt and then turn - it may then turn off, if you're lucky.
Dealers are advising you replace these with the Mrk 3 version of the VAG locking nut - I have some new ones now and they are much better made and much tougher! No holes and no studs to bend.
WARNING: Put it this way, if these VAG light nuts are soft and bendy, and you get a puncture on the motorway, how are you expected to get your wheel off? The only option is to get towed and get it drilled out to change the tyre or wheel. Not nice.
So, if you've got these old VAG LIGHT wheel bolts, I'd recommend you get the new Mrk 3 versions. At least you can guarantee to undo them and get your wheel off.
