Wheel Hanger
A threaded guide pin screwed into the wheel hub to support the wheel assembly during removal and installation on lug bolt systems.
A wheel hanger (also known as a wheel mounting guide pin) is a threaded metal alignment rod used on vehicles that secure wheels with lug bolts (common on European cars) rather than the standard stud-and-nut setup. On these vehicles, the hub face is completely flat, meaning there are no studs to hang the wheel on when installing or removing it.
To use the tool, the mechanic screws the wheel hanger into one of the empty bolt holes in the wheel hub. The wheel is then slid over the hanger rod, which supports the full weight of the wheel and holds it flush against the brake rotor. This aligns the remaining bolt holes perfectly, allowing the mechanic to easily thread in the other lug bolts without having to hold the heavy wheel in place.
Using a wheel hanger prevents the wheel from slipping off the hub pilot during installation, which can damage the brake rotor dust shield, caliper, or scratch the alloy wheel barrel. It also saves the mechanic from back strain. Once the other lug bolts are hand-tightened, the hanger tool is unscrewed and replaced with the final lug bolt.