Dan,
You raise a good point about the tubular lug nuts. I have used them w/
Cragar brand wheels on american cars, w/ totally unsatisfactory results.
But, I have also used them on race cars (MG's) and street cars (MG's &
Sunbeams) in combination w/ Revolution brand alloys and had excellent
results. The Revolution system has a precision hole in the wheel, and the
lug nuts have a beveled shoulder to get them started in the hole, then they
are uniform diameter up to the washerhead on the nut. The advantage to this
system is that the wheel is stronger because the lug is only applying a clamp
load to the wheel, rather than trying to wedge apart a conventional taperseat
wheel. So, if you can find good quality wheels that are designed for use w/
a precision tubular lug nut, go for it. But stay away from the made in USA,
one size fits all "furrin cars" wheels.
HTH,
Jim Chenoweth
Lancaster, Ohio, USA
'78 MGB & a pile of 5.0 parts
In a message dated 6/28/00, DANMAS@aol.com writes:
> > Just a thought -- there are a few different types of wheel bolts out there
> > -- what about the type which has a long thread length and actually goes
> > along the stud inside the mag rather than just wedging the outside of
the
> > wheel?-- you could even have the bolt go inside your spacer, as long as
> it does not bottom against the brake drum/disc.
>
> Paul,
> I have a very serious concern about using the type of lug nuts you
mention.
> Unless they are a very precise fit, there is nothing to center the wheel,
or
> to keep it from moving as you drive. Without a precise fit, the only thing
> that locates the wheel is the friction of the nut. If it is a precise
fit,
> the wheels will be hard to get on and off. I bought a set of mag type
wheels
> awhile back with those nuts, and there was so much play around the lug
nuts
> that the wheel could be moved by hand a pretty good bit if the nuts
weren't
> very tight. The nuts couldn't be tightened enouigh to prevent movement as
the
> car bounced over potholes, etc. If the wheels do move, wear will loosen
the
> nuts, and the movement will get worse.
> The other kind of lug nuts, with the tapered seat, automatically locates
the
> wheel, and will keep it in place even if the nuts are slightly loose. I
know
> a lot of wheels come with the type of nuts you mention, but I'm afraid of
> them.
> Just a thought. Anyone else care to comment? Am I overly cautious?
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