Help! loose knock-off wheels

[Jim Sansone]

I need help please... The rear knock-off wheels are loosing ....they are true knock-off but do not have a pin
any suggestions welcomed I almost wrecked to-night
rear wheel steering isn't fun in a 66...they were 3 complete turns loose
not fun at all.... scared the x(#X0 out of me

Thanks

 

[JohnZ]

I need help please... The rear knock-off wheels are loosing ....they are true knock-off but do not have a pin
any suggestions welcomed I almost wrecked to-night
rear wheel steering isn't fun in a 66...they were 3 complete turns loose
not fun at all.... scared the x(#X0 out of me

Thanks

1. How long have you had the car?

2. Do they have the correct "long" lug nuts attaching the adapters to the hubs which prevent the wheels from being installed mis-indexed?

3. If they don't have the special "long" lug nuts, there are ten ways to index the wheel to the adapter, and five of them are wrong (and will result in the wheel coming off). There are ten holes in the wheel - the five large ones are clearance holes for the lug nuts, and the five small ones are for the steel drive pins on the adapter. If you have regular lug nuts and mis-index the wheel, the the wheel won't go on all the way, the spinner will only grab three threads on the adapter, and the wheel WILL loosen and come off (the "long" lug nuts prevent that from happening, as the spinner won't even engage any threads).

4. What kind of hammer are you using to tighten them? Forget the hammer that came with the car - it's only for one-time emergency roadside use when changing a flat tire. You need a real honest-to-God lead hammer (Google "Muther-Thumper"), and you need to use a thin film of anti-seize on the threads on the adapter and spinner, AND on the mating conical surfaces on the adapter and spinner. Start the spinner and give it one whack with the wheel off the ground, then let the car down with the tire on the ground, and give it 7-8 SOLID whacks with the "Muther-Thumper".

5. Don't EVER let anyone else install your KO wheels - they don't know how.

 

[Red Vette]

I agree with the previous post about the long lug nuts and correctly indexing the wheels. I had factory knock offs on my 66 427 convertible and never had a problem with them. Once installed, and with a good blow of the hammer, they were on until I had to use the hammer to remove them. They should not come loose at all, and I suspect that you do not have all the correct equipment for them. I have no idea where to get the long lug nuts, but they are essential for correct fit. You cannot mount the wheel incorrectly on the car with the long lug nuts, at least I never could.
Barrett

 

[Jim Sansone]

Thanks guys for the good info I have a long weekend ahead so I will start saturday AM
I'm not sure what indexing is???

 

[Tom Bryant]

Indexing just means that the wheel is installed in the right position. With the long lug nuts it can't be installed wrong and therefore will be indexed correctly.

Tom

 

[JohnZ]

Thanks guys for the good info I have a long weekend ahead so I will start saturday AM
I'm not sure what indexing is???

Here's a photo of the back side of a KO wheel that was installed mis-indexed (drive pins and lugs in the wrong holes); you can see the hex indentations from the lug nuts surrounding the smaller holes meant for the drive pins. The other photo shows the correct "long" lug nuts securing a KO adapter to the hub, which prevents mis-indexing.

 

[paul robb]

Jim as a safety measure i also would put the pins back in. they are there for a reason. They can be purchased at most corvette places.

 

[JohnZ]

Jim as a safety measure i also would put the pins back in. they are there for a reason. They can be purchased at most corvette places.

Originals didn't have pins, and didn't need them; if the wheels are installed correctly, they won't loosen. The later reproduction wheels had pins, to avoid supplier liability when owners (or others) didn't install the wheels properly.

 

[Jim Sansone]

Thanks guys, all good advise..
I indexed and found no loosing after tightening with rubber softener and 5 lb. sledge!!
Tomorrow is the test as I will take it to speed and tight cornering to make sure.
Thanks for the help relearning some basic mechanics

 

[paul robb]

JOHNZ:
Learn something new everyday. My 66 has the pins and I though they were the original knock off. Thanks for the correct information.
Paul..... :bash