Many cars are candidates for new studs. It is very common for Seven studs to be stretched so look like Whitworth instead of BSF. And the shaft is often ominously recessed in the head due over tightening.

There is as much skill involved in dismantling the hubs without damage as in rivetting. The rivets have to do very little; with brass nuts little risk of seizure. I have seen some with countersunk screws burred over, adapted nails etc.etc.. I seem to recall very early cars had only one rivet.

Based also on experience with other makes, professional ”mechanics” and tyre changers are a serious threat to all cars with 3/8 studs.

Worn nuts and wheels may allow the nut to bottom

Location: Auckland, NZ

I wouldn't believe that when using the original Austin 7 wheelbrace (which I always use) with good wheel nuts that you could ever over tension the wheel studs.

The only time I had a problem was the head coming off a stud- possibly a faulty replacement stud ?

The rivets are more for ease of assembly and don't take any load but need to be really tight - using the large washer to hold in place while riveting would I think need a final thump with a dolly on the countersunk head.

Tony.

Location: Malvern, Melbourne, Australia.