Kaiser Frazer Owners Club Forum

General Category => Willys Forum => Topic started by: Thomasso on May 26, 2018, 05:25:06 PM

Title: Tire rubbing
Post by: Thomasso on May 26, 2018, 05:25:06 PM

Hi.  I have 205 - 70 - R 15s on my 55 Bermuda.  They rub the suspension, lower spring cup.  I've spaced the wheels with two large diameter 1/2" washers.  There is still enough threads left but I'm not really pleased with the set up.  Are there 4 hole 1/4" spacers available?  Comments?

Title: Re: Tire rubbing
Post by: Gordie on May 26, 2018, 10:19:21 PM

Lucas and Coker Tire Co.'s both have an extensive line of tire and wheel accessories and might have what you are looking for.
lucasclassictires.com and cokertire.com

Title: Re: Tire rubbing
Post by: Terry T on May 27, 2018, 04:29:14 AM

Diamondback tire are another option
I have them on my HJ

Title: Re: Tire rubbing
Post by: MarkH on May 27, 2018, 10:45:43 AM

  I used to see a variety of adapters & spacers in the '70's for custom wheels. Maybe some custom wheel companies, especially ones that cater to import car "tuners" would have something. The discs on my Aero are '98 to '02 Honda Accord 4 cylinder rotors, same bolt pattern.
 I'm thinking the rotor hats were about 1/4" + thick, and left me a couple threads short in the lugs so I replaced studs with slightly longer Jeep studs.

You might be just as well off to mount a wheel without the spacer washers, measure the exposed threads & have a machine shop cut & drill a couple discs the right thickness.

Title: Re: Tire rubbing
Post by: Thomasso on May 28, 2018, 07:18:17 AM

Thanks. I ordered some 5mm spacers, should the trick.

Title: Re: Tire rubbing
Post by: Gordie on May 28, 2018, 12:39:51 PM

Where did you find them?

Title: Re: Tire rubbing
Post by: Thomasso on May 28, 2018, 08:47:19 PM

Amazon.  From Sun Home International, 10.59 a pair.  Universal for 4 and 5 hole wheels.  Pretty cheesy looking but should do the job.

Title: Re: Tire rubbing
Post by: SC/397 on May 30, 2018, 01:27:15 PM

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2pcs-8mm-4-Lug-Universal-Wheel-Spacers-4X100-4X108-4X110-4X114-3-4X4-5-4X120/262841698360?hash=item3d32960838:g:QKUAAOSwIJlaDp-F

Title: Re: Tire rubbing
Post by: MarkH on May 30, 2018, 05:04:04 PM

When I worked at a Firestone store decades ago we used to tell guys with custom wheels or adapters to re-check the lugs after 100 miles.

My personal opinion of Aero hub flanges is that they were made as lightweight as possible. Out of 3 sets of fronts I had, every single one had a slight "wave" pulled in the flange at each wheel stud. Apparently not a problem on cars with stock wheels.

Adding a spacer with multiple unused holes may leave you with some normally supported, now unsupported wheel to flange spots.

If the cheap ones solve your spacing issue, you might consider a set of purpose drilled solid discs. Seem to cost about double on ebay. In the meantime do re-check your lugs after some miles.

Title: Re: Tire rubbing
Post by: Thomasso on June 09, 2018, 10:09:23 PM

Installed the spacers.  Probably enough, will keep an eye out for rubbing.  Mark.  Do you remember the part # of those Jeep studs?  Thanks.

Title: Re: Tire rubbing
Post by: MarkH on June 10, 2018, 09:43:53 AM

My parts list says NOS LH & RH Willys Jeep M38 studs. Replacing studs gets more involved than spacers. If your drums have never been changed you'll need a swedge cutting tool. If you want to re-use your drums you'll want to make one from a hole saw.