Cleaning tool for long (90mm) M12 lug studs?

[d00df00d]

I want something like this: https://www.hazet.de/en/products/ha...d-repair/file-brush/product/ean-4000896186860

...but for a hub with 90mm long M12 lug studs. Anyone know of such a thing off the top of their head? And/or another tool/method that'd work comparably easily?

I see some similar tools for very long studs, but they seem to be for big trucks, which I assume have studs wider than M12...

 

[eljefino]

You can use a wire brush, manual or on a drill.

You can use a "thread comb" if there's one thread that's misshapen.

Depending on the car, replacement might take ten minutes and $1.50.

 

[DukeOfFrontenac]

Small wire wheel in a Dremel.

 

[d00df00d]

You can use a wire brush, manual or on a drill.

You can use a "thread comb" if there's one thread that's misshapen.

Depending on the car, replacement might take ten minutes and $1.50.

Small wire wheel in a Dremel.

I have wire brushes and wire wheels; looking for a labor saver, if one exists.

Misshapen threads aren't really a concern. Just want to clean them and the hub faces.

 

[Astro14]

I’ve got the 3M one. Is it deep enough for your application?

https://www.amazon.com/Brake-Cleani...d=1737927443&sprefix=Wheel+hub,aps,185&sr=8-7

 

[d00df00d]

I’ve got the 3M one. Is it deep enough for your application?

https://www.amazon.com/Brake-Cleani...d=1737927443&sprefix=Wheel+hub,aps,185&sr=8-7

Per 3M's site, not quite, unfortunately. They say the overall length is 76.2mm. https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b40066097/

This one might work, though: https://www.amazon.com/Counteract-S...e-garden&sprefix=sbct1,garden,276&sr=1-2&th=1

Comes with a thread brush, and I'd have to buy hub brushes separately.

Let me see if I can find reliable dimensions on it....

 

[D60]

And/or another tool/method that'd work comparably easily?

Thread chaser and extra deep socket?

I've done this but admittedly we don't have PA rust!

 

[d00df00d]

Thread chaser and extra deep socket?

I've done this but admittedly we don't have PA rust!

Wouldn't help for the hubs, but I love this idea for the studs. Wonder if I can find a socket that deep!

I don't think rust is an issue for the studs, thankfully.

 

[spasm3]

I can't tell but this looks close.
https://www.amazon.com/Titan-51798-...=1737932644&sprefix=titan+hub+,aps,147&sr=8-1

 

[GSCJR]

 

[Pterostylis]

Would a needle scaler suit your application?

 

[d00df00d]

I can't tell but this looks close.
https://www.amazon.com/Titan-51798-...=1737932644&sprefix=titan+hub+,aps,147&sr=8-1

Looks good, if the socket's long enough. Wish they listed dimensions!

View attachment 260848

Hey, if you want to come to my place and clean 20 wheel studs with that thing, you're welcome. Beer's on me!

Would a needle scaler suit your application?

Interesting idea! Had no idea it was a thing until you mentioned it and I looked it up. Maybe good to look into as a fallback in case I can't find something purpose-built that'll work. Thanks!

 

[spasm3]

Looks good, if the socket's long enough. Wish they listed dimensions!


Hey, if you want to come to my place and clean 20 wheel studs with that thing, you're welcome. Beer's on me!


Interesting idea! Had no idea it was a thing until you mentioned it and I looked it up. Maybe good to look into as a fallback in case I can't find something purpose-built that'll work. Thanks!

Some advance auto stores stock it. Item # 51798 Maybe you can measure in store.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/titan-products-wheel-hub-clenng-kit-51798/50173032-P

 

[d00df00d]

Some advance auto stores stock it. Item # 51798 Maybe you can measure in store.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/titan-products-wheel-hub-clenng-kit-51798/50173032-P

Nice.

From the pic, it looks like it might just barely fit. Let's see when I can go look...

 

[D60]

Wouldn't help for the hubs, but I love this idea for the studs. Wonder if I can find a socket that deep!

I don't think rust is an issue for the studs, thankfully.

I've got the Kastar chaser set. Both M12 pitches take a 19mm hex. The CTA 1177 soaks up 90mm no problem:

edit: hits the sq drive anvil at 105mm

 

[JHZR2]

I've got the Kastar chaser set. Both M12 pitches take a 19mm hex. The CTA 1177 soaks up 90mm no problem:View attachment 260997
edit: hits the sq drive anvil at 105mm

Agree. I’d use a thread chaser and then a set of wire brushes to get things clean. Some scotch brite too if needed.

 

[d00df00d]

Got my Counteract SBCT13, along with two HBR13 hub grinder attachments and two SBR12 stud brushes. Interesting design – like a flashlight (IYKYK) that you attach to a drill. Counteract says it's made to save time when servicing fleet vehicles, and it shows. Kind of a pain to change attachments, but all the pieces seem pretty robust. The stud brush attachments are basically circular wire brushes. I'll report back once I've had a chance to use them.

I also got a neat 2-piece thread chaser along with an extra-deep socket for it. Instead of putting it on the end of the thread and winding it on, you assemble it at the base of the thread and wind it off. I may have drastically overestimated how impactful this could be for my usage; we'll see. https://steelmantools.com/products/m12-1-50-metric-split-die-thread-chaser-60384

Also bought a thread chaser with a more conventional design because I wanted something to clean the exposed threads before pulling the lug nuts off, and neither the Steelman 2-piece chaser nor the Counteract setup would fit in the lug holes.

I've brought this on myself by switching from lug bolts to studs on the M3 and using open-ended lug nuts. Really seeing why OEMs use closed nuts or bolts instead!

 

[Sumboodie]

What do you have with only 5 lug hubs and studs that are so long?

That's like 3.5"
Most studs are maybe half that length.

 

[d00df00d]

What do you have with only 5 lug hubs and studs that are so long?

That's like 3.5"
Most studs are maybe half that length.

It's a stud conversion on the M3.

I'm trying to retain stock offsets across three different wheel sets, for which some but not all require spacers:

- Summer (no spacers front, 17mm rear)
- Winter (10mm spacers front, 12mm rear)
- Track (no spacers)

If I had stuck to wheel bolts, I'd have needed at least 3 different lengths. That'd get annoying fast. So, I converted to studs.

I had to pick studs that were long enough to accommodate the biggest spacers, and I wanted to go a little beyond that to make sure there was full thread engagement. Hence, 90 mm.

And I went with open lug nuts so that I could use the same nuts on all 4 corners regardless of wheels/spacers (without buying obscenely long closed nuts).

So, the studs are longer than needed for most of the wheels and have a fair bit of exposed thread. That means they get dirty, which means I need to clean them periodically – hence, this thread.

Thankfully this isn't my everyday car any more, or I'd have gone back to bolts and just dealt with it.

 

[d00df00d]

Finally got a chance to try all three of the tools I settled on:

1. Standard die (Lang Tools)
2. 2-piece die (Steelman)
3. Counteract SBCT13 w/ SBR12 brush insert

The 2-piece Steelman die did fairly good work. This is the one you assemble at the base of the thread and then wind off (though I guess you could also use it from the top like a normal die). Downsides: It's a bit fiddly to use, and it doesn't fit inside the lug holes in my wheels, so I can't use it until the lug nut has already come off.

Fortunately, the standard Lang Tools die plus the 19mm socket it requires do fit in the lug holes. It didn't get much off the threads but... better than nothing, I guess.

The SBCT13 is great. Very easy and effective. Feels robust. Works as advertised. I can see how it'd be a game changer for a fleet of trucks. Sadly the HBR13 hub grinder attachment doesn't fit on my car; there's not enough room between the studs and the flange on the hub that the wheel sits on, so the grinder can't actually touch the surface of the rotor or hub. Fortunately, I don't think my cars ever have an issue in those areas that an abrasive pad can't solve.

For reference, here's why I run 90mm studs. With the 17mm spacers I have to run in the rear to get stock offset with my 3-season wheels, 90mm gives just barely more than enough thread for full engagement on the nut:

That's only on the rear, thankfully. My front wheels need a 10mm spacer or none at all to get stock offset, so a 90mm stud is way overkill. I'll be switching to shorter studs up front soon.