Thursday, October 25, 2018

What Is a 2-Piece Wheel Adapter?

PIRO4D | Pixabay


Do you want to change the look of your car? Using wheel adapters is a great way to change the look of your car without spending a lot of money. Wheel adapters allow you to change the size of your tires and completely transform your car. The only issue you may run into is a change in the bolt pattern. To avoid this, you will want to consider a 2-piece wheel adapter.

What Is a 2-Piece Wheel Adapter? 


A 2-piece wheel adapter works the same way as a normal wheel adapter. It changes the bolt pattern which moves the wheel out. When the wheel is moved out, you can add a custom wheel. The difference with a 2-piece wheel adapter is that you do not need to know your current bolt pattern or the bolt pattern of the new wheel. A 2-piece wheel adapter will work with any bolt pattern.

Are 2-Piece Wheel Adapters Safe? 


The simple answer to this question is yes. However, there are some things that you must make sure are done correctly. The first thing is to ensure the wheel adapter is high quality. You may think that all factory-manufactured pieces are safe. However, you want to be sure to select a material that is strong such as aircraft grade aluminum.

The second thing you want to make sure of is correct installation. If your 2-piece wheel adapter is not installed correctly, you could run into issues. It is recommended that a trained mechanic installs your wheel adapter to ensure the installation is correct. You can install a wheel adapter yourself, but make sure you do extensive research first.

The final thing you want to be sure of is the equipment. Just like any other installation, you want to make sure you have the right equipment. Using the right equipment is imperative to ensure safety and the correct fit.

Installation of a 2-Piece Wheel Adapter 


While professional installation is recommended, you can install a 2-piece wheel adapter yourself. Be sure to follow these instructions carefully and do other research to ensure the safety of your car.

  1. Note: All 2-piece wheel adapters have 2 pieces. Be sure to unscrew the black bolts, and you will have the inner piece without the bolts and the outer piece with the bolts.
  2. Put the inner piece adapter to the hub. Use open-end lug nuts with the matching thread size to secure. Be sure the open-end lug nuts sit flush inside the holes of the adapters.
  3. Using the provided black bolts, put the outer piece adapter to the inner piece. Torque the bolts to 50-55 feet-pounds.
  4. Rims: The wheels need to be put onto the adapters using the lug nuts. The lug nuts should have the same thread size as the adapter studs to secure the rims.

Change Up the Look of Your Car


If you are ready to change the look of your car, then you need a 2-piece wheel adapter. Check out EZ Accessory to find the perfect 2-piece wheel adapter for you.

Thursday, October 11, 2018

What Are the Different Types of Lug Nuts?


MikesPhotos | Pixabay


You have probably heard of lug nuts or lug bolts before. But you may not be sure exactly what they do. Lug nuts are the hardware that secures your wheels to your car. Without lug nuts or lug bolts, your wheels would fall off.  Just like any other part of your car, there are different types of lug nuts and lug bolts. If you do not have the correct lug nut, then your wheel will not stay securely on.


Lug Nut Types 

There are several different types of lug nuts. The big difference from one to the next is the shape of the lug nut. Here are some of the basic types of lug nuts.
  • Conical or Tapered Seat: cone-shaped lug seat 
  • Spherical or Ball Seat: rounded lug seat 
  • Mag Seat: extended thread area and a flat washer seat
  • Flat Seat: flat, washer-like seat
  • Extended Thread: conical-shaped seat with extended thread for more engagement 
  • Tuner Style: small diameter using a special key on the outside end with a conical seat 
  • Small Diameter Spline Drive: small diameter using a special key on the spline grooves with conical seat 

What Are the Different Sizes of Lug Nuts? 

Besides the different types of lug nuts, there are also different sizes. It is important to know the size of your lug nut to ensure proper fitting. Here are the different sizes of lug nuts.

  • 10mm x 1.25
  • 12mm x 1.25 
  • 12mm x 1.50 
  • 12mm x 1.75
  • 14mm x 1.25 
  • 14mm x 1.5 
  • 14 mm x 2.0 
  • 7/16" x 20 
  • 1/2" x 20 
  • 9/16" x 18

Determining the Right Type of Lug Nut 

Now that you know there are different types and sizes of lug nuts, you are probably wondering how to know which one you need. There are five different things you need to know in order to determine the correct lug nut for your car.
  • Thread Size: You can determine this either by using a thread pitch gauge (available at local hardware stores) or take your current bolt to your local auto store and spin it on the bolts they have available.  
  • Thread Pitch: The distance between each thread 
  • Seat Type: This refers to where the lug nut actually makes contact with the wheel surface. The most common are acorn/tapered seat, a flat seat, or a ball seat. 
  • Length/Dimension: This refers to the dimension of your lug nut. It is important to confirm the dimension to ensure a proper fit. 
  • Finish/Color: This is all about personal preference. 
Looking at these five features will help you pick out the correct lug nut for your car.

Buy New Lug Nuts

Lug nuts are an important part of making your wheels stay on. Without lug nuts, your wheels would fall off.  To ensure the best fit, you need to get the right size and type of lug nuts. EZ Accessory offers all different sizes and types of lug nuts. Explore our selection today. We will make sure you have the right fit.