Are Empi Lug Bolts unsafe?

Rathbone · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 7:27 pm Post subject: Are Empi Lug Bolts unsafe?

I don't know why I thought I could buy anything Empi and not have problems. Everything I've ever bought of that brand I've had to return or throw away. But I wanted to replace the old rusty lug bolts since I'm putting on new wheels and I was having trouble finding the right size chrome bolts. They arrived today and I attempted to install them by hand using a T bar. Of the 20 bolts I stripped one out and broke one off inside the wheel drum. I guess if I'd been using an impact wrench they would all have broken off.

Normally after installing bolts I'd drive a few miles and re-tighten them. I'm afraid to try these or they may break off. I've never had this problem before with any car. am I doing something wrong?

So what are people using for lug bolts? Should I just count this as an $80 loss and throw them in the trash?

So here is the buggy with new front wheels that now match the rear:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

And the offending bolts:

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Rathbone · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 7:30 pm Post subject:

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Lo Cash John · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 8:38 pm Post subject:

Never tried the EMPI lug bolts but I will say some of their products ARE good. If I were you I'd contact the seller about a refund. If they give you any grief, be prepared to contact your credit card company (ALWAYS use a cc when buying car parts) to help settle the matter.

BTW, the buggy is looking awesome!!!
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MOON BUGGY · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 8:49 pm Post subject:

doesn't surprise me in the slightest.
If you look up the word Empi in the dictionary it means poor quality cheep Junk.
I only use Empi if theirs no other option.

Rathbone that is one nice looking buggy!
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kevin3406 · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 8:59 pm Post subject:

im an advocate of the press in studs. DORMAN part number 610-024 worked great on my 65 Baja, along with BALL SEAT lug nuts. cost me 90 bucks & I pressed them in myself. definitely money well spent!
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wythac · Samba Member Joined: August 02, 2004 Posts: 2791

I don't have any personal experience with that kind of hardware but I have heard from others that some of the aftermarket lug bolts don't have the appropriate degree of taper on the mating shoulder on the bolt. This can lead to rim damage as well as bolt failure.

I can't really tell looking at your rims but they may not have the same taper as a stock beetle rim, which may be another reason the empi ones failed. Worth taking a look at anyway.

I think your next set of lugs should come from WCM or another high quality parts supplier. Were I you, I would look at the failure during installation as a blessing.

slalombuggy · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 11:45 pm Post subject:

I use EMPI press in studs and trust my life with them at high speeds. Use a torque wrench and fasten to 75ft/lbs. That's all I ever torque lug bolts to even with autocross slicks.

brad

Tom_Kathleen · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 3:05 am Post subject:

May be a case of hydrogen embrittlement. If you use high strength steel and don't heat treat it after nickel or chrome plating, that can happen. When we 1st built Kathleen's buggy, I had the rotors nickel plated with the Moroso 1/2" race studs in them. I broke several of them off by hand with a small breaker bar taking the wheels on & off several times like you have to when building a car. Don't trust any of those bolts now. Tom
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manxdavid · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 3:31 am Post subject:

I use stock vw bolts with a cheap set of slip on chrome covers from an eBay supplier.

They look great.

andk5591 · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 4:25 am Post subject:

Tell ya what I use for lug nuts.....a freakin' torque wrench....
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dan macmillan · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 5:59 am Post subject:

Lo Cash John · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 6:39 am Post subject:

Every
Mistake
Passes
Inspection

Laughing

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Dale M. · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 6:43 am Post subject:

VOLKSWAGNUT · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 6:54 am Post subject:

Always use a torque wrench, when available, to tighten lug nuts/bolts.

If they are breaking by hand..yeah.. they are JUNK.

Send them back for a refund.. lick your wounds.. and move on.

Rathbone · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:26 am Post subject:

pallen · Samba Member Joined: February 15, 2012 Posts: 589

I have those same empi ones on my buggy... They seem decent quality and I have been torquing them to 90 foot pounds, have had them on and off multiple times.

I wonder if the 1 set of 5 were from a bad batch or something.
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wythac · Samba Member Joined: August 02, 2004 Posts: 2791

Take a look at the difference in the shoulder on those two bolts from Moore parts and from Empi. Not the same at all..

VOLKSWAGNUT · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 9:10 am Post subject:

The nut/bolt seat all depends on the wheel used.
VW original 5 x 205 wheels use a Ball or Bulge seat (not cone)

Use the correct nut/bolt seat for the wheel used.
If wheels are changed from original, sometimes a different seat style must be used as well.
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grinNbarritt · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 10:55 am Post subject:

your buggys lookin sharp! Jim

VOLKSWAGNUT · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 12:53 pm Post subject:


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