So here's the deal... I was warned by a member to put spacers behind the wheels,... so with out taking one off,... I ordered the spacers... when I looked at the pic on the site, It looked like they would be hub centric cause there's a little lip in the center...so I take a wheel off...the spacers are bout' a 1/8'' thick the center hole doesn't fit anything, and the lug holes are over size to where they hang out of round...the drums are 40 i believe... or 39.. the center sticks out 1 -3/8'', measuring the wheel it the same.... so when you tighten the lugs... it's perfect.... what gives???? are my 17's not 34 wires??? a or not ford??? did some one make 17's to fit with out spacers????
The support rings are intended to keep the center of the wheel from bending inward and cracking with the lugs torqued down, it does not fit on the inside of the wheels center hole. Some folks, like Vern Tardel, tack weld the rings to the back side of the wheel so they don't fall off and roll away when the wheel is dismounted for service or whatever reason
Take a look at the back side of the wheel mounting surface. You will see that the wheel is only flat outside the lug holes. So the special support rings (some are made into spacers) will support inboard of the lug holes too. All original Ford drums from 28-35 had a cast nub inboard of the studs. Your 40 brakes don’t. That’s why.
I am probably the "member". I probably referenced you to a site like this: http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1286293&posted=1#post1286293 The problem is not "hub centric" but rather the surface of the '40 drum is at one level but the wire wheels were intended to be supported at two levels. On the Model A there was a ring to provide the second level but the '32 to '35 brake drums just had raised bumps. The photo shows a '32 wire wheel that was run on a '32 mechanical brake drum. You can see the rust spots on both sides of the lug bolt holes. I bet if you check yours carefully you will find an empty space between the wheel and the drum and that is what the adapter is supposed to eliminate. I am not sure if you can see it, you may have to use clay to check. The wheel will appear to fit unless you look carefully. If you just tighten the lug nuts to pull the wheel down you will eventually have cracks form in the lug not hole. Charlie Stephens
so, still not making sense.... guess I have to go pull the wheel back off... so the spacer has to go on the wheel first???? when I put it on the drum it hangs down too far..then you would have to try to line it up with the wheel on... and, if I add the 1/8'' space... the outer edge wont touch and that will let the wheel flex in turns....
so are you say'n the wear marks on this wheel is from the nubs on a model A drum??? on mine the outer edge of the center wheel hub sets on the step down edge of the brake drum
If you have the spacer like Rich shows, just throw it over the studs and mount up the wheel. Don’t worry about the slight misalignment. Everything will fit fine if you have 40 hubs/drums. If you have 48 hubs/drums, you might have a balancing weight on the surface of the drum that will prevent the wheel from seating down. Grind it off.
could it be that the 17's I got came off a different car with 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern??? and maybe they are not ford wheels???/
went out and looked at the 19's and the 16's I have.... and could see how they would need the spacer...and even pulled the 17 off again,... put the spacer back on... they don't work on my 17's... so back off, removed the spacer... and put the wheel back on... with the spacer the wheel doesn't sit on the drum right...
The surface around the mounting studs is more important than the outer edge of the wheel center. We have seen cracks from the stud holes caused by the guy who didn’t support the inner edge of his wheel.
All Ford wires from 1928 (I am not sure about the AR wheels) through 1935 and Kelsey Hayes aftermarket wheels have this problem. The 16 inch wheels are 1935. How about close up photos of the wheels, they sure look like '33-'34 Ford? Charlie Stephens
Outer lip of the wire wheel center should just clear a '40 type drum; not sit on or contact it as shown in the picture.
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