Lotus Forged Alloy Wheel Bolt Removal

[anthonywhite753]

Advice needed please.

 

I have just changed my Exige S for an Exige S240 which is fitted with Lotus Forged Alloy Wheels.

 

Can anyone tell me what socket / tool i need to remove the wheel bolts which are set deep in the rear wheels?

 

All of the 17mm sockets that i have will not fit because they have walls which are too thick for the diameter of the opening. I hope this makes sense?

 

It looks like i will need to perhaps use a box spanner but i am not sure that this will manage the torque required.

 

I don't want to wreck my wheels or ruin the bolts

 

Any advice most welcome

 

Thanks,

 

Ant

[@ndy]

The tool kit in the luggage compartment includes the required socket and locking wheel nut tool, The tool kit should be fixed to the battery box on the nearside.

 

Andy.

[anthonywhite753]

Andy, unfortunately there was no tool kit with the car. Can you tell me what does the tool look like? No locking wheel bolts so I have bought some from eliseparts. Ant

[chris_h]

Don't the bolts have a star shaped centre? You should have a bolt that slots into the centre.

 

They should look like this. http://www.seriouslylotus.com/wheels-tyres/s2-wheel-bolt-kit-325

[Martin 111S]

If you don't have a tool kit you will probably need a socket for the locking wheel nut too ?

IIRC there were different types so need to know which locking nut it is.

[r339xjw]

hi anthony where did you get your new one from ?

[Eric]

Forged wheels or not, the bolts should be same on any S2 derivative.  You need a splined tool that fits inside the bolt heads.  This has a 17mm hexagon drive at one end and the splines at the other.  If the tool isn't supplied with the car then you really need to go back to the dealer (or person who sold you the car) and request it.

 

Alternatively, any Lotus dealer will be able to sell you one.

[anthonywhite753]

The bolts are not the type with with the slotted centre but a standard hexagon head. No locking bolts were fitted either. I bought the car from Snows, Hedge End not locally so I will need to give them a call.

[chris_h]

I guess someone changed from the standard bolts to studs and nuts. http://www.seriouslylotus.com/wheels-tyres/s2-wheel-stud-kit

 

People find them easier than the standard bolts if you are changing wheels often.

 

If so you'll need a set of thin wall long sockets like these https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/clarke-square-drive-alloy-wheel-thin-wall-impa?da=1&TC=SRC-thin%20wall%20socket

[Wildspark]

IIRC the wheel bolt torque is *only* 105Nm, which is not as much as some might think, so most sockets should be fine with that torque, BUT, you might find that yours are over-tightened which makes it more interesting...

 

At the risk of trying to teach my grandmother ... wheel bolts should always be tightened with a torque wrench.....

[anthonywhite753]

I have been to Machinemart today but unfortunately the thin wall long sockets are a wider diameter than my current socket so no good.

 

I will book the car in to a Lotus dealer to get all the wheel bolts removed and replaced with the splined wheel bolts.

 

Thanks all for the advice I will you know how i get on.

 

Ant

[Simon Mac]

The other thing you might try is a spark plug socket.

 

Failing that you could order this....

 

http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show/66/416/17mm-hex-head-socket/

 

It's more than likely who supplied the non standard stuff on your car anyway

 

 

Not sure I'd revert from studs or even hex nuts, if they'd been put on the car already. Studs would definitely make putting the wheel on easier if doing it single handed, and the spline tool isn't something the AA man will have lying around.

 

If you still want to go revert, before you go to a Lotus dealer for a set of OEM bolts and a the corresponding tool tool, here is a guide to how much they cost:

 

For reference you can by the spline tool (if you need one) for £6.58+VAT

http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show/75/724/s2-wheel-bolt-key/

 

The bolts are £25.98 + VAT

http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show/57/1039/original-equipment-wheel-bolts/

 

 

HTH 

 

Si.

[anthonywhite753]

The other thing you might try is a spark plug socket.

 

Failing that you could order this....

 

http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show/66/416/17mm-hex-head-socket/

 

It's more than likely who supplied the non standard stuff on your car anyway

 

 

Not sure I'd revert from studs or even hex nuts, if they'd been put on the car already. Studs would definitely make putting the wheel on easier if doing it single handed, and the spline tool isn't something the AA man will have lying around.

 

If you still want to go revert, before you go to a Lotus dealer for a set of OEM bolts and a the corresponding tool tool, here is a guide to how much they cost:

 

For reference you can by the spline tool (if you need one) for £6.58+VAT

http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show/75/724/s2-wheel-bolt-key/

 

The bolts are £25.98 + VAT

http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show/57/1039/original-equipment-wheel-bolts/

 

 

HTH 

 

Si.

 

Si,

 

Ok the spark plug socket which I have did not fit.

 

So I took your advice and ordered the 17mm hex head socket from Eliseparts.

 

Just to let you know it arrived today and it fits perfect. Problem solved.

 

Thanks for the excellent advice very much appreciated.

 

Ant

[Simon Mac]

Si,

 

Ok the spark plug socket which I have did not fit.

 

So I took your advice and ordered the 17mm hex head socket from Eliseparts.

 

Just to let you know it arrived today and it fits perfect. Problem solved.

 

Thanks for the excellent advice very much appreciated.

 

Ant

 

No problems, glad you got it sorted!

 

Out of interest had the previous owner done a stud conversion , or were they just hex bolts instead of splined ones ?

[anthonywhite753]

Si, they are hex bolts and not studs.

 

Ant