My tire upgrade update

ralper · 03-24-2011, 04:04 PM

When I changed from 16" to 17.5" tires I also got new rims. These rims are flat where the lug nuts go against it. Also the rim holes are 5/8" and the studs are 9/16". The lug nuts are long and cap over the studs. They are convex on the rim end like car nuts. I had them machined to take off the convex section but left 1/32" X 5/8" protruding out. This protrusion goes down into the hole in the rim to keep it from shifting and the flat part tightens the rim down to the hub. For a $60.00 fee for the machining of 32 lug nuts I feel I got away cheap but still safely. This is opposed to new hubs with 5/8" studs and the labor to change them.
My 5 er sat on the big foot feet while the machining took place.

RustyJC · 03-24-2011, 05:01 PM

Where did you get your wheels? The aluminum 17.5" wheels I bought from Trailer Tires and Wheels were available for 1/2", 9/16" or 5/8" studs - no modifications required. Alcoas, I understand, are only available for 5/8" studs. My 5th wheel has Dexter 7000 lb axles with 9/16" studs, and Scott at Trailer Tires and Wheels supplied the appropriate wheels, center caps and lug-centric lug nuts.

Rusty

ralper · 03-30-2011, 04:49 PM

I got what was available at the time in WY. I would not use aluminum rims as I have no confidence in them. My 5'er weighs 15,000 lbs. Steel is what I wanted.

ralper · 04-26-2011, 02:58 PM

Instead of new hubs with 5/8" studs, I had my lug nuts machined to do the job. My 17.5" rims are flat where the nuts contact them. The end of the lug nuts were conical. I had the nuts machined flat but left a protrusion that is 5/8" in diameter and 1/8" long. This keeps the rim where it should be so it does not shift at all. It cost $ 60.00 and I got away dirt cheap compared to new hubs and labor.

RustyJC · 04-26-2011, 03:05 PM

Your rims are for a hub-centric application - the rim is designed to center on a machined OD on the hub. Your conical lug nuts are for a lug-centric application - they center the wheel on the lug bolt circle. The Dexter 7K axles with 9/16" studs are lug-centric. You may want to check the radial run-out with your step-machined lugs as it sounds like they are now responsible for centering the rim.

Rusty