M38 Wheel Lug Studs... not measuring up?

BAJA_TYM · Post by **BAJA_TYM** » Tue May 07, 2019 10:42 am

Hello all, hoping someone will help (I'm still new to the M38). I recently purchased some new left-side wheel lug studs, but after comparing them to the right side, the knurl splines are not the same height as those currently installed. I've checked the TM measurements and new ones seem correct (1/2-20NF 3 x 1.42).

Are my flanges correct? Thanks in advance for help.

Post by **Ryan_Miller** » Wed May 08, 2019 6:46 am

Where did you buy those new studs?

Should be able to check with one of the main military jeep suppliers.

BAJA_TYM · Post by **BAJA_TYM** » Wed May 08, 2019 2:51 pm

Where did you buy those new studs?

I ordered them from Peter DeBella Jeep Parts. Pete's seems like a good guy, a little rough at times (a straight talker with harsh language, which I don't mind), but honest. Since I have an affinity for NOS parts and he's sort of my defacto store for NOS, I've ordered a bunch of stuff from him over the past year. I've never had any issues with anything I've ordered. I contacted him this morning and Pete's looking into it. I'm sure he'll figure it out and we'll workout a fair good solution regardless of the outcome.

Yesterday I did a ton of research and there seems to be 2 different sizes (maybe 3). I found and ordered some on eBay that appear to match those currently installed. Here's a photo of the ones from eBay. As you can see the knurling shank and overall length appear to match those originally installed.

Here's a stud comparison I found surfing Google, interestingly they all state M38 even though they're different sizes. The first stud looks identical to the originals and the new ones match the second stud. I'm thinking there may have been some variation on the thickness of the wheel flange over the years, but I really don't know.

In the end I'll post what Pete says and what happens when the eBay studs arrive.

Cheers -- James

BAJA_TYM · Post by **BAJA_TYM** » Thu May 09, 2019 12:42 pm

The studs I ordered from eBay came in today, they do seem to match what's originally installed. This isn't to say those sold by Pete are incorrect, I'm just posting here to show how they compare to each other. When I spoke to Pete yesterday I let him know that I wasn't in a rush for him to see what the issue may be.

Stud on the left is from eBay and the right is fro Pete:

Just to reiterate, this isn't a hit on Pete, just looking to fix/share info.

Post by **Ryan_Miller** » Wed May 15, 2019 1:22 pm

Sometimes I have noted that the wrong part, although similar will be in an older box that was probably part of an after production repair parts contract that was filled years after.

So while those parts might fit they may be less than ideal.

TonyRumore · Post by **TonyRumore** » Fri Jun 07, 2019 12:46 pm

Did you try putting the brake drum on?
The shoulder of the stud will stick through the flange and center the hole in the brake drum. At least that's how it works on my M38A1.