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We ordered a set of wheel studs from D-Force. This isn't just about making future wheel installations easier as it’s a safety thing as well. With Loctite-secured studs in the hub, if the nuts were to back out (heaven forbid), your wheel wouldn't just fall off the car. This isn’t so with simple wheel bolts, which you don’t want to use Loctite with.
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Hey, if we can weigh it we will. The difference between a wheel stud conversion (left) and the stock bolts (right) will only cost you 13.5 ounces all together, or roughly 0.21-lb per corner. The fact that the added weight is more centered makes the increase even less significant.
We also installed these 5-mm spacers to widen the track in the rear. Add another 0.31-lb per corner.All together, the wheel studs and spacers add about a half-pound in the rear. It would be more significant if the weight increase was in the outer edge of the rim, but it’s in the center.
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Installing wheel studs is easy. Use a 5-mm Allen key to secure the studs to the hub. I also used Red Loctite to keep them from backing out on their own. The brakes you see there have since been tossed, and we'll have more on that in Part 5.
Another angle of our Project E46 M3 sporting black wheels. You may notice a shinier looking rear brake already on there.
Turn to Page 5 to see our numerical results in handling, acceleration and braking with our new shoes!
