Wheel stud

Wheel studs are the threaded fasteners that hold on the wheels of many automobiles. They are semi-permanently mounted directly to the vehicle hub, usually through the brake drum or brake disk. Lug nuts are fastened over to the wheel stud to secure the wheel. When a wheel is removed for tire changes etc., the stud remains in the hub.

Many automobiles instead use bolts to do this, where removable bolts screw into the wheel hub.

Wheel studs can be either factory equipment or aftermarket add-ons.

Benefits of studs vs. bolts

The primary advantage of wheel studs over wheel bolts is greater ease for tire changes by creating the ability to lift both the wheel and tire onto the studs creating the ability to hold and locate the assembly during tire changes rather than trying to hold up the wheel and tire while lining up the holes to insert a bolt. Many wheels that use bolts also have one or more small locator pins to assist this: the wheel is lifted onto the pins, then the bolts inserted. Once the bolts are tightened and the wheel is fully installed, the pins have no further function whilst the vehicle is being driven.