>The lug nuts are tapered to form a close fit between the nut and the wheel >rim so that there is a direct shear transfer from the wheel rim to the lug >bolt. The auto manufacturers also seem to feel that this close fit is >necessary for transferring shear. Or possibly to keep the wheel rim off of the stud threads to keep them from chewing the center out of the wheel. Prosaic, I know, but... Ron N
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