Lug nut thread engagement issue

Bought this 2006 LR3 last march. Tires had some wear, but overall was/am very happy with it. First, Land Rover. Still getting acquainted, but it's sure footed, powerful, sounds great (Flowmax exhaust), and runs down the road smooth, straight and quiet.

The Performance shop did work on it. Exhaust, wheels, removed the air suspension , replacing with springs. I didn't know much about air-suspension and was told that springs were less prone to trouble then the air suspension. Hey, it drove smooth and looked great about 3 more inches of clearance.

Anyway, tires continued to wear. Rear tires especially. Uploaded a picture that shows the rear tire wear, and my dog Jack, who has claimed the back of the rover as his.

Truck had Nitto Terra Grappler 275x65x18 tires and XD Series wheels. Again, seemed ok, actually, wide profile looked and continues to look very good with new G2's.

Finally, as snow season was approaching decided to replace the tires, found Nitto was sold by Discount Tire and ordered 4 Nitto Terra Grappler G2's, as they didn't recommend just replacing rear tires.

All was good, tires arrived and went to get them mounted by Discount Tire. Waited my morning, in the tire shop, paid my dues and then the adventure started... my name was called - "John come to the front"

Was told the thread engagement was not enough. 5.5 turns. 14mmx1.5 lugs. Offered to sell me new lug nut extenders, said ok. Tic Toc, Tic Toc. Another - "John, come to the front" new guy this time. Extenders don't fit through the wheel to engage stud. You have wrong wheels, you want to buy new wheels? I say, "Ah, no". He say's "We put the old lugs on, but you don't have enough thread engagement, you want us to tow it somewhere?" "That's a heavy vehicle, and if you hit a *** hole, you could loose a tire, flip, etc." I say, "***, don't want that. Tic Toc, Tic Toc, wringing of hands. Finally, I'll drive it home with new tires, to figure out next steps."

Did some checking and sure enough I need about 7.5 turns for a 1.5pitch to get to 14mm of engagement on a 14mm lug nut.

Just bought a torgue wrench and will lift each wheel and torque to 103 ft pound value, that I found on this forum. But performance shop improvements are now starting to concern me. They modified suspension, put the wheels on it, likely the lug nuts, did they also mess with studs? First question will torgue of 103 be a problem on the existing stud?

I think the wheels or brake discs must be eating to much real estate on the wheel stud, leaving less stud to engage lug nut.

When I checked web for LR3 lug nuts, they show some with flat mag bases. The ones on it are the 60 degree taper which is what the wheels stud holes look like. But also saw some with tapers for sale for LR3.

I already replaced one of the rear wheel brake disc and pads, due to wear, so know i can work my way around all four wheels. I was not smart enough to count lug nut rotations as I put back tire, but have changed many a tire and they were snug. Maybe new brake discs changed profile on that wheel, need to check.

Long story, but Question is, is there a way of salvaging the XD Series wheels, and just replacing wheel studs with a longer version? Experiences, or recommendations appreciated.

The wheels look cool....but I think the most straight-forward way to go is to get some 18" LR wheels and sell the XDs on a local site like Craigslist. In 12.5 years of ownership and all kinds of "wheels stories" yours is the first of its kind, to my knowledge.

Also, did YOU have the EAS removed or was it like that when you bought it? Curious as to what was causing your rear tires to wear like that (rears faster than fronts).

EAS for springs work was done in euro shop in northern illinois where i bought lr3. Dont have tire history, but that wear pattern was observed when i bought it. I did replace wheel bearing on front, rotated to rear some time.

My question was whether the decision to remove EAS for coils was yours or the previous owners....?

Prior LR owner, owner Euro shop, and Land Rover Specialist/technician did it with Land Rover parts. I didn't request it, coils on it when I went to look at it. Put it up on lift to look underneath.

I would talk to the shop where work was done to see what they say about the wheels/studs. Maybe nuts that have a shoulder that go's into the wheel may surfice

This is why an aftermarket wheel not designed for the vehicle is a bad idea. I’d be surprised if the center bore is correct as well. There’s no “60 degree” in Lr nuts. They are flat seat w washer and straight cylinder shaft w 45 bevel at end that doesn’t contact anything.the hub centers them tight.

The thickness of wheel mounting face is obviously part of the problem if not enough turns are available.

Where are the factory wheels? A real Lr tech wouldn’t have done this....

Correct brakes don’t cause any of the issues here. I have had off brand rotors and now have EBC. Fit is perfect but they were designed to spec for the vehicle.

FYI-tires wear more on the rear inside edge on independent suspension vehicles, Lr, bmw, audi, etc. even though front gets the turning, they wear more evenly across the tread.

You’re truly better off to sell those and get Lr 18’s

Thanks for replies. I'll call the place I bought it and ask the questions. It was shop owner's vehicle, he used it to drive to work (3 miles) and shop used it to trailer tow in cars needing repairs. Didn't know enough to recognize or ask question about original wheels. I notice the rear tire wear, but it wasn't as worn then. Another 10k miles and it showed worse.

I did a few searches on tire wear, and wear on old tires matches pattern of under inflated example. Maybe somebody let some air out off-road and ran them home that way..

The wheel centers look good on the hub, no gap. However, the depth of each wheel's axis hole extends 1 inch beyond the axle hub.

I re-torqued wheels Saturday and notice there are 10 lug holes on each wheel. 5 in use, and 5 unused. Looks like the 5 unused have room for extender nuts, while the 5 in use do not. If I pull the tires off and rotate them one lug into the unused holes. Extender nuts could work. Stay tuned and thanks.

Getting LR wheels is probably what I'll end up doing, but learning a lot in the process. Just did the car count. Owned seventeen cars, never had this problem before.

I don't think running with low tire pressure back from a trail one afternoon would cause uneven wear like that...of course, depending on the distance between home and the trail head.

land rovers are the worst i've ever found in regard to using after market wheels. generally fit is crap and most often the wheels are not high enough load rated for serious use.

there is no way you can see a "gap" at the hub. if matched correctly, the mating surface will be out of view.