Does everyone that can (i.e. no spacers) use the OEM lug studs and nuts? Are there any upgrades that will handle track abuse? I'm not interested in locks or bling, I just want sturdy studs and nuts.

What is required to change a stud if one breaks? Will I need a press, or will a vise do the trick?

Thanks.

uwaeve

 

Nismos are pretty much your only alternative for studs right now.

 

^^^ +1. I have been using Nismo 60mm studs and open ended lugs for a while now with no problems. That was after going through 2 sets of OEM ones in two track days.

 

Who makes the open-ended nuts? Nismo? I've seen Muteki and Project KICS before, no experience with either.

uwaeve

 

I've been using the studs that came with my H&R wheel spacer. I've only gotten 4 track events and 2000 freeway miles on them, so I can't really say how reliable they are yet.

I use a hammer to pound the studs out. There are probably better ways, but that's my way.

 

I think they are just generic. I got them from Performance Nissan and they were cheap.

 

I got my studs (50mm I think) and open end nuts (Muteki) from projectnissan.com. The nuts and studs have made it several seasons with no probs. I broke two of the factory studs before replacing all of them.

The Muteki nuts are nice because they are small, so no worries about lug hole scrapes.

 

I've heard of some autozone nuts expanding and coming off the studs!

My car currently has two broken studs on it now.. which is one of the reasons I haven't driven it since late April. I'm actually going to get around to fixing it Monday. I plan to just hammer it out. Then probably try to freeze the studs/heat up the hub and push them back in, using a spare lug nut to bring the lug all the way through the hub. Is there a better approach?

 

Jun,

I broke a stud at the Commonwealth Games in Danville. Take the rotor off, bang the old stud out. There is a slot around 9:00 that you have to use to get it out. Put the new one in, try to match the splines, and then pull it in with an inch or so of washers and a lug nut. Don't know any other way to do it. Good luck.

David

 

An air impact wrench is almost an essential tool to seat the studs...

I started doing mine with a breaker bar and quickly broke out the impact wrench to finish the job...

 

the only impact wrench i have is a 18v cordless. hope it has enough juice!

 

ahhh..can someone tell me if there are an advantages/disadvantages to using an open lug nut instead of a closed?

i heard the keys get stuck in open lug nuts fairly easy....

why would you want to use them then???

 

I ahve changed a lot of the OEM studs over the last two years. I have now gone to the Nismo stucs this year and so far no broken studs. I ahve also reduced the torque to 60 lbs based on a reccomendation from a T2 racer who runs a 350Z out on the west coast. I find the tourque does not reduce during the day but does seem to increase. This is due to the thermal expansion difference from the steel studs and the aluminum wheels. The aluminum expands twice as fast as the steel.

Just my experience.

 

tried unsuccessfully to do this last night. got the studs to fall out of place, but the rotor wouldn't come worth a damn. it was also 2am and i didn't feel like waking up the neighbors, so looks like i'll be purchasing a brass ended mallet and going at it later today! wish me luck!.

 

I guess it is the classic East Coast Rust issues we have a minimum of on the "Left Coast".

Good luck

 

is there anything else i need to beside remove the caliper to get the rear disc off? where is the parking brake assembly?

 

The parking brake needs to be released so the rotor will free up also. The parking brake is inside the rotar if that is what you were asking.

 

yeah, the parking brake was off. i guess i just need to bang harder. thanks.

 

SPL Parts sells ARP wheel studs. A friend of mine that regularly tracks his car now uses them after having 7 or 8 studs break on him so far. During zcon he sheared off all 5 on the front passenger side wheel and the wheel went flying off! Luckily no one hurt in the incident but it could have been ugly.
http://www.splparts.com/Parts/Univer...es/default.htm or go to http://www.splparts.com and navigate to 350z>Exterior>Wheel accessories.
Luckily I haven't broken any yet, but if I do I'll be upgrading to these.

 

finished last night. pretty easy with the right tools. no impact wrench necessary