You need to read this !

[rverdlm]

Texas250, As near as I can tell from your pictures the bolts in question do not hold the wheel on, but rather they hold the stationary part of the brake system. On drum brakes they hold the backing plate and with disc brakes they hold the caliper. When someone told you the only thing that kept your wheel from coming off was the spindle nut he was right! That is the only thing that always keeps the wheel from coming off! If you think about it they could not have 5 small bolts to hold the spindle on and then require 8 large studs at the wheel itself. The spidle is a machined piece and is welded to the end of the axle.