Lug bolts and 600 X 16 wheels
 

So what length lug bolts do you use on your hubs when using the 35 Ford 600 X 16 tires and wheels on your cast iron drums for the Model A? I have been extremely lucky that I haven't lost a wheel or worse. I found that when I put the new hub and drum on the back of my coupe that I get only a few turns on the lug nut and it is fairly tight. If I go real tight that will distort the drum and the wheel is locked. On my roadster with hydraulics of 39-42 Ford and the same 35 wheels I don't have that problem, but I have a spacer between the wheel and the hub and longer lug bolts. I'm guessing I need to buy the spacers and get the hub re-bolted with longer lug bolts for the coupe also. Any thoughts will be appreciated.
Where do I buy the spacers?
Thanks,
Dave Mc Arthur

Re: Lug bolts and 600 X 16 wheels
 

Sounds to me like something is keeping the wheel from seating on the hub/drum. When you place the wheel on does it seat completely? Have you called the manufacturer of the hubs and ask if they have had problems reported?

Charlie Stephens

Re: Lug bolts and 600 X 16 wheels
 

If you are using the regular Model A acorn nuts, they will bottom out before they get tight with '35 wheels. You need to use the nuts that are open.

Re: Lug bolts and 600 X 16 wheels
 

Wasn't there just a similar post where the weld on the spokes were hitting the drum.

Bob

Re: Lug bolts and 600 X 16 wheels
 

Some complain that the lugs are TOO HARD to start, on the 16s----POOR BABY--LOL
Bill Easy

Re: Lug bolts and 600 X 16 wheels
 

So here's what I have found out. The hubs are fine. I can tighten them right up and they still turn freely. Add a wheel and the wheel locks to the backing plate when the lug nuts are tightened. Makes me think that my rims may be not the 35's I thought they were. A 1/8 spacer will free the wheel form the backing plate, which will also require my using longer lug bolts. In a prior life I owned a brake lathe and I remember turning the backing plates to take an eighth off the two rears on my roadster, didn't seem to be a problem with the fronts. So it appears I have some choices, pull the backing plates and grind an eighth off or find some spacers and longer lug bolts. The latter is most appealing to me.

Re: Lug bolts and 600 X 16 wheels
 

The wheel should sit on the brake drum and the area behind the lug nuts should also be tight on the drum. The wheel should never touch the backing plate. Maybe some photos would explain this.

Re: Lug bolts and 600 X 16 wheels
 

X2

Paul in CT

Re: Lug bolts and 600 X 16 wheels
 

Solved the problem. Called Randy Gross and he told me to try an axle shim to set the tire away from the backing plate. Worked. So now I need to get to work on making the O?D work as planned.
Thanks for the input