Wheel nut, single, M14 1.5mm thread, 27mm HEX, drilled M10

It's not possible to fit Spikes-Spider chains to Land Rover Defenders in the standard way, because these use wheel nuts with a 27mm hex size, and the largest Spikes-Spider fix clips are 24mm. The solution is to modify a set of Original Equipment Defender wheel nuts by tapping threads into them and then using these as a foundation for fixing the Spikes-Spider hub plates.

You need to order at least 4 modified wheel nuts for each wheel; if you have locking wheel nuts, leave these in place.

A 17mm brass adapter (internal part no. SPX17M10M8-1) will be supplied with each wheel nut ordered.

Overview of fitting procedure (see pictures showing wheel nuts):

• Picture 1 - Replace at least 4 of the 5 wheel nuts on each wheel; if you have locking wheel nuts, leave them in place
• Picture 2 - Screw a brass adapter into each wheel nut and tighten using the torque tool provided
• Picture 3 - You need to allow 17mm extra because there is no fix clip; on these steel wheels each wheel nut required a 17mm brass adapter, a 17mm short adapter, a nylon washer, a long bolt.
• Picture 3 again - Use the slots marked 5, whether fitting 4 nuts or 5 nuts

Fitting and removal tips:

• Use the spare tyre to decide how to resize the chains prior to first use
• Optimum adjustment is when you can comfortably slide 4 fingers between tyre and chain
• Try and adjust each quarter of the chain evenly, but fine-tuning may well be possible in one quarter only - no worries about this
• Place the chains over the top of the wheels with the traction arms at 10 to 2. If you find it at all difficult to fit the locking disk, move the wheel a half revolution (i.e. move the vehicle) and then push the remaining chain onto the top of the wheel
• If you find it's difficult to pull out the red release handle of the locking disk, move it (usually anti-clockwise) a few millimetres, and then pulling out the release handle will be very easy