Opinions wanted: Is this wheel ruined?

I had to replace the emergency brake cable on my car and when I went to take the back wheel off I noticed the lug nuts were only finger tight. Upon removing the wheel I find it has been wallowing around some. Take a look at the photos and tell me if you think this wheel is unsafe for the bolt pattern in use.
Don't blame me for running a loose wheel, I have only driven the car about 50 feet since I bought it..its always something.

 

Buy another one.

 

Yup.

 

That looks pretty bad, but they do sell wheel savers that are conical shaped washers that are larger than the lug nuts. You put them on first and then the nut and they fill a larger area than the nut alone. I have used them on old Ford wheels where the holes are starting to get rounded larger. I think I bought the from Macs.

Don

 

Yes, toast. The lug nuts will never hold when torqued to specification.

 

Yep, I bought some of them from Mac's and they seem to work fine.

 

Your wheels are really routed out pretty bad, but here are the wheel washers if you are interested. Right side of page, hub nut washers.

http://macsautoparts.com/search.asp?sb=0&ls=y&camid=F30&year=0&make=&ss=wheel+washers&x=10&y=9

Don

 

That might be the ticket. Thats why I posted the photos because I don't think I would ever feel secure driving with the wheel like that. It would probably loosen up again over time.
What about this brake drum? Hard to tell but it has a little wallow in it too.

 

Imho, yes!

 

What you need to watch for are threads ruined on the lug studs when a wheel is run "loose". Makes it hard to torque the lug nuts properly if there are not enough threads.

 

Hard to tell in the pictures but those studs look screwed up. At a minimum I would press in new studs, use the wheel saver washers and buy the PROPER Ford lug nuts. As I recall the thread size is 1/2 x 20 but there are two outside diameter size lug nuts. The ones you get at the auto parts store generally take a 3/4 inch socket but the true Ford ones take a 13/16 socket, much larger. Looks to me like the ones you used were too small and didn't fill the holes up properly.

I use those wheel saver washers any time I am using old Ford wheels because over 50, 60, 70 years of tightening lug nuts the holes are always enlarged slightly.

Don

 

I consider those washers to be a band-aid, is this a place to have a band-aid? I'd spring for a good wheel!

 

The holes are elongated as well as worn. It will never be solid. If it is rare or expensive, you could have it welded up an remachined. I would find a new one.

 

as long as it's flat not to worry, but i'd take a file/sanding disc to it to remove anything that might not let the wheel sit flat. (i'm talking about the drum picture......)

OK, those are wire wheels, but a modern version, (multi bolt pattern), do they need the support like an early Ford wire wheel?

 

New wheel and new studs and definitely check everything else on this car you bought before driving again.

 

Those washers won't work on a hole that's elongated.
New wheel, new studs, and new lug nuts!

 

This^

 

Thanks for all the input. I may get some of the washers and fit them on there to see if they might work. I was going to change wheels eventually but I was hoping to wait. I guess this wheel could be used on a Chevy which I think is the other bolt pattern.

 

Don't even both with the washers.

 

YUP, ruined

 

Oh Hell just redrill the axel for the other pattern...good to go!

 

Upon closer inspection the lug nuts would almost pull through the holes so I don't think I will even try the washers. Guess its time to think about different wheels. I have a Chevy I can put these on.

 

Probably a good idea. A set of pattern adapters to run on the other lug pattern would probably work too, if you have room to push the wheels out another 1 1/4 inches.

 

Hose reel. Replace the work's. And safety check the rest of the car.

 

New wheel, studs, and drum. Or do a mishap fix and sing the song. You DO remember the song, don't you?

"YOU PICKED A FINE TIME TO LEAVE ME, LOOSE WHEEL....."

 

My daughter had that happen to her once with her Vette. Not a situation I want repeated.

 

How about some of the large stock car lug nuts. Or as stated have the axle drilled for the other bolt pattern probably cheaper than a wheel.

 

Hi Don, From your pictures it appears that your wire wheel is actually laced and not welded.
If the wheel is laced, have you tried to contact the maker of the wheel to see if a new center can be laced in ? If so, what is the cost for the repair including the new center ?
Last thought is, for your safety please replace the lug nuts and studs. I had a rear wheel come off of my 39 Chevy years ago (tire shop did not tighten the wheel) No serious damage that day but scared the hell out of me............... Jeff

 

this , the seats for the lugs are too far goon to support any side forces from turning. would never bet my life on $2.50 worth of bandaid .