Can lug bolt with 17mm head be used instead of one with 19mm head?

[dkl]

Originally Posted by Clavurion

Depending on E53 manufacturing time both 17 and 19 mm bolts were used and are still available. Other than the hex size they are similar.

M14X1,5/SW19MM ->12/2005 36136756298
M14X1,5/SW17MM 12/2005-> 36136781153

I stand corrected. You are absolutely correct - good info and I didn't realized that BMW actually did switch over to a 17mm bolt that late into production cycle! Didn't even know they make an M14 with a 17mm head.

FYI - the 17mm bolt pictured above is an M12x1,5.

[andrewwynn]

The trick is the right thread pitch! My e70 uses 17mm bolt head but is fine vs. course pitch.

The e53 bolts are superior having the captive conical washer so the slip force is steel on steel for tighten and loosen. Not impressed that bmw regressed on e70 and because different pitch I can't use the better bolts on e70

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Clavurion

Depending on E53 manufacturing time both 17 and 19 mm bolts were used and are still available. Other than the hex size they are similar.

M14X1,5/SW19MM ->12/2005 36136756298
M14X1,5/SW17MM 12/2005-> 36136781153

Ditto...the parts database lists that BMW started back with the 17mm lug bolts on the e53 starting with 12/2005 build date. Prior to that they were using a lug bolt with a 19mm head.

I remember discovering this when I went to do the first oil change on my 2006 e53 X5. It had a 12/2005 build date but had a 19mm lug wrench. I was used to using the 17mm lug wrench to undo the oil drain plug (which is also 17mm) on all of the BMWs I had prior to the e53 (my e30/e32/e34/e38/e39).

At first I thought I had the wrong lug wrench & someone had swapped it out..but then I tried it on one of the wheels and it fit. I then tried the wrench on my e38 740iL and it was too big. That's when I discovered that some e53 X5s came from the factory with 19mm lug bolts & lug wrenches.

[Spartan]

My 08/06 has 17mm head with the separate bolt to the conical washer. It makes a difference when compared to the wife's Merc C Class. It does not have this feature and even if taken to torque settings cold, they still bind and come out with bits of alloy on them. Advantage BMW on that one, but having said that...I hate lug bolts no matter which way you make them.
I am or should say have, singled out several options for M14x1.5 wheel studs and M14x1.5 to M12x1.5 if necessary. The wheel nuts I am looking at using are said to be suitable for BMW with a 60 degree angle cone. I cannot remember if they are captive washer types or not but they are either open ended or can be closed end depending on the length of the stud I use.
Has anyone else done this to their E53, if so what was your choice on the wheel nuts?
You may wonder why, well another two gut surgeries and buggering around with wheels that fall off every time you look at them because of a puncture or a brake issue...it doesn't matter, Lug bolts suck more than the Earth does.
I will at least be able to get the wheel to sit on some of the wheel studs when they are fitted, like any normal car.

Any thought or views re the 60' angle would be good to hear as the manufacturer says as long as the rims are centered on the hubcentric ring, they will be fine.


Cheers, Jeff