So I just got my WMW wheel studs today. They fit my 949racing lugs perfectly (no crap, cuz they're an open-end design!) and only protrude slightly.

However... my gorilla guard locks are not open-ended and don't screw in all the way, so there's a gap between the lug and the wheel.

My question is: Should I cut the wheel studs to fit the wheel lock? I love the design, I feel safe about this choice, and it's probably the best out there.
Here's a link: http://www.gorilla-auto.com/gorilla-guard-locks

I'm either cutting 4 of the studs or going with an open-ended design, either Gorilla 78631N OR Muteki SR48.

Let me know what you think!

Motor On!

 

Never heard of a mini having its rims stolen...
Have heard of many folks having issues with keys getting stripped.....nearly monthly...
Guess it must depend on where you live/park...
Guess if the rims are $$$$, it makes sense, but for many folks, a waste of $$, and an inconvenience.

 

I live in a pretty good area, but Oakland is about a 20 minute drive away. I'm just thinking ahead about if I'm in or closer to a sketchy area.

The rims, by automotive standards, are "average" at about 1K. I guess you're right, though, mini's don't tend to get stolen or messed with. The clubman is ranked 10 on the cars least stolen in the U.S.!

Just saw this vid of a guy ripping off a gorilla lug (which is supposed to be the best). [YOUTUBE]
Mine, however, can't be messed with since it has a shroud over the "special" bolt pattern.

So I'm either going with the gorilla lug or just grabbing 4 more 949 lugs

 

I don't have wheel locks on any of my 5 cars except the miata (they were on there when I bought it). I'm not worried about it. If you are concerned then "something" will be better than nothing. I'd suspect if they're dedicated and prepared thieves there isn't a whole lot keeping them from getting your wheels though. On the other hand it's cheap insurance. Do you have access to a lathe? I'd just cut down a stud on each wheel and use the locking lugs

 

I don't have access to a lathe, unfortunately. I'm probably going to go with the Muteki, since they look the best. My friend, who has a heavily modified 2011 wrx, has muteki's over Enkei NT03+M's and hasn't experienced any weirdness or theft attempts and lives in South San Francisco. I'll just keep the gorilla's for now and either give them to my brother when he gets wheels or use them on mine when I don't give a crap about the lugs anymore (since they're brand new).

 

I wouldn't modify the studs. Just buy some wheel spacers and that will essentially shorten the studs so that your closed ended lug nuts will fit properly.

 

Just ordered the muteki's. The spacer idea sounds great...however I need to see how much my wheels/tires are sticking out before I do it! I have enkei RPF1_RS' 15x8 ET+28. Pretty aggressive stance. I've been wanting to possibly widen my fender flares somehow and that may be the occasion to do so! Here's a pic of a user on here named glnr13's mini on the right (when he had it):



I heard he ran 10's all around! I love how the arches look, though. Still keeps the shape of the car and looks pretty awesome, in my opinion

 

Is there enough room to thread your gorilla lock after the lugs are installed and are properly holding the wheels?

If not, I would just put Gorilla locks on eBay.
There are very few cars that use MINI 4x100 wheel pattern (old civics come to mind), and most used MINI wheels are sold for under $400 for the set. Figure at most 1/3 that if you are fencing stolen wheels.

I would not.
First of all, those studs are hardened steel, and you will have a hack of a time cutting through them.
Secondly, unless you have thread chasers, you will likely butcher the thread, while will later lead to cross threading. Not fun.
Lastly, you wont be able so sell the studs after you are done with the car, and will be returning it to OEM spec before sale.

If the area where you live gives you legitimate reasons to worry about wheel theft, I would seriously consider moving !

a

 

For me it's just a slight concern whether or not the wheels get stolen, however, the East Bay Area is heavily populated and has many different "curious" individuals. I live in a pretty nice area, but I'm just worried when I'm elsewhere.

I already decided against cutting the wheel studs and will highly consider using spacers if I decide to use the Gorilla locks, especially if I'm going to widen my fenders.

I actually am keeping the gorilla locks. Gonna give them to my brother when he gets his Scion Fr-s and some wheels. He'll probably get 949 racing lugs as well since the quality is up there.