[Mike VR6]

I recently picked up a set of 16" split spoke WRX wheels for my '99 OBS, and the wheels fit fine, but looks like the stock studs are way too short (the stock open end lug nuts won't even thread on all the way). I've tried searching on this across multiple forums, but I can't seem to locate anyone who had a similar issue. Most people say that the WRX wheels should bolt right up....any thoughts on extended studs? Is this a known issue or is there something funky going on with my car?

Thanks in advance!

 

[kaiba]

First I heard of this.

 

[TimHansonE36]

Pictures of inside of wheel, hub, etc?

 

[amoore131]

Are you making sure the wheel was flush against the hub when you were test fitting?

 

[themattcole]

I just bolted a set of 02-04 WRX wheels to a MY99 Subaru like, two weeks ago. On my WRX, the open lugnuts I think did not have any thread exposed after threading the lugnut all the way on. In fact, I do believe it was just a little short of sitting flush with the lugnut.

 

[Mike VR6]

I'll get some pics up this afternoon...it's very strange indeed. I'm not a total newb when it comes to working on cars either (I rebuilt the EJ22 in this last year). :lol:

I bought the car ~1.5 years ago, so it's possible the previous owner did some funky things.

 

[Mike VR6]

Alright guys, check this out. Another data point--I replaced my rear spindles (pulled from a Subaru Forester) ~8 months ago because my bearing was crapping out, and the front/rear studs are the same length, so it's unlikely that both that random Forester and my front studs were replaced with shorter/wimpy studs.

Here's the stock wheel/lugs/nuts:

Here's the WRX wheel installed, the lug is not torqued down, but at most it would turn about 1/2 turn after torquing:

And it does appear to be sitting flush, here's a shot from inside the spoke (rusty part is back of the wheel), and the black part it's mated flush to is the rear drum cover:

With all of this...ideas? Is the stud length actually fine, and I'm being too picky?

 

[WhiteScooby]

thats how mine look
never had any issues

 

[Mike VR6]

Also, since the pics aren't the best size when linked, here's a link to the album with slightly higher res:

https://plus.google.com/photos/1026...ms/5692089578746831809?authkey=CISuv_n79737HA

Basically, the lug nut is NOT quite flush, let alone having extra threads as the stock steelie does.

 

[TimHansonE36]

weird....

 

[Mike VR6]

weird....

I agree--but Whitescooby says his/her's look the same, I wonder if it has to do with the year the WRX wheels are. Anyone have pics of theirs?

I'm hoping to use these for the track, so can't take any safety risks...

 

[TimHansonE36]

didnt even notice the lug nut was on the bottom one. Thats how my lug nuts look too on my RS 6 spokes. You're fine.

 

[Brock]

You're good. Mine look the same and I've autocrossed it for 4 years now without incident. I believe my stock (alloy) wheels were exactly the same. It just looks like the steel wheels are thinner.

You shouldn't need extended studs unless you're using tires wider than 215mm (that's when they start to rub the rear struts and you'll need spacers).

 

[Mike VR6]

Sweet, you guys rock! I guess I was just being paranoid. I've never seen that before on other cars, but in any case I'm going to run stock tire sizes for now, so wont have an issue with rubbing.

Now...I can focus my attention on rebuilding some legacy 2-pot calipers and then getting on the track!

 

[AwPsI00]

yup you'll be fine i have 06' wrx wheels on mine and there perfect

 

[FuJi K]

Just so you know..... Your stock steelies are much thinner where the studs go through. The alloys are thicker.

 

[Mike VR6]

Yes, definitely noticed that these are much thicker. Just wasn't sure about the situation regarding if my car was some strange anomaly, or whether others here have made an adjustment for running longer studs.