TheSamba.com :: View topic - thread size for stock lug nut-thread pitch and size?

Thu Mar 26, 2020 4:12 pm

I am looking to be able to get a tap to run through a 5x205 1967 bus drum. I would like to know what size tap it takes and the thread pitch, thanks!

Thu Mar 26, 2020 4:34 pm

A "tap" will take out too much metal and make the drum threads weak.

What you want to use is a thread chaser/restoring tap in 12mm x 1.5mm...

If you have any spare lug bolts or even a good 12mm x 1.5 bolt (best to use a 10.9 hardness grade or better) you can make a crude one using a die grinder with cut-off wheel...

Thu Mar 26, 2020 4:44 pm

"Forum" button at top of the web page, hover your mouse cursor over that button. Pop up list will pop up, left click on "Search". On the search page enter "Lug Bolt", left click on "Split Bus" to select that forum, and check the circle for "Search Titles Only", this last keep from getting pages and pages of results in every thread those words are mentioned. In those eleven results one of those has the answer.

Get a thread chaser instead to clean those threads out. Problem with taps is you can get one that is slightly bigger than the one that originally made that thread. Resulting in a tad loose of threads and having the lug bolts work loose. Worked in the world of machining and fabrication and it was not uncommon to order up taps that were a few tens of thousands of an inch less to make a snug thread fit.

Thu Mar 26, 2020 5:43 pm

67 bus is 14x1.5 like a late bug

Thu Mar 26, 2020 5:56 pm

How bad is the thread?
If its Fubar nothing will work.

Fri Mar 27, 2020 5:56 pm

they are just rusty and need cleaned out.

Fri Mar 27, 2020 6:14 pm

het, would a spark plug tap that was the correct size work on this? I would think it should. some say chase the threads with a 12x 150 chaser. other people have said it should be 14x 1.50 what size do I need to use? thanks for all the help so far!!

Fri Mar 27, 2020 7:10 pm

Went to Wolfsburg West web page, did a search for "Lug Bolt". No specific size given, but part number "211601139". So tried a search of the WWW for "VW 211601139", and came up with these results:

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=VW+211601139&t=canonical&ia=web

So all showing a dimension have 14mm for the diameter, but not showing a thread pitch.

Tried Google:

https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk00p2gizVC...KAQ4dUDCAs

A few show the thread pitch.

While you get the thread chaser, get a vernier caliper that reads in both inches and metric and learn how to use it. The digital calipers are for the most part junk, seen too many fail all too soon. You need something like this to measure parts.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trk...er+caliper

You can measure the bolt length/diameter, and even the thread pitch with such.

Fri Mar 27, 2020 7:25 pm

Spark plugs are 1.25 pitch

VW Lug bolts are 1.5 pitch

Fri Mar 27, 2020 10:26 pm

If it is a “bus drum” shouldn’t this thread be in the Bus forum?

Just asking...

Sat Mar 28, 2020 5:07 am

yeah, I did not think about the thread pitch being different on the plug holes.
again, thank you all for your help!

Sat Mar 28, 2020 6:32 am

ragtop man wrote: they are just rusty and need cleaned out. I would just apply some antisieze to a bolt and run it thru the threads then clean out with brake cleaner or something.