Mounting rear rim to hub, Something's not quite right...

Absent Minded Farmer · Jun 12, 2011

I'm working on the rears on my H & can't seem to get the rim straight on the hub. The clamps on the nut side of the bolt won't pull tight to the rim. Not all of them, just the two opposite each-other at 10 & 4 o'clock (facing wheel from outside). Is the rim bent or did I do something dumb? Is it not as easy as it seems? I just don't think I should be reefing on those last two nuts so hard. If someone could give me a tutorial, I'd appreciate it. Whilst I wait for a response, I think I'll go putz with my LINAC. Might feel a little smarter then. ;v)

Mike

DeltaRed · Jun 12, 2011

look for major wear or crap in there somewhere.tighten the bolts evenly-working across from one another.tighten in stages.are the clamps all the same?Look at the other wheel-compare.

Absent Minded Farmer · Jun 12, 2011

I did clean up the hardware, rim & hub & the clamps are the same. I didn't think to tighten the bolts in a star pattern. I'll give that a try, thanks.

Mike

snoop-nc · Jun 12, 2011

"Star" pattern...good!!

You might also VERY LITELY loosen on the opposite side from those that won't draw up properly and then tighten the "bad" ones down and then retighten those that you had to loosen.

Hope I made myself clear on that ??

Rick

Roger46 · Jun 12, 2011

What I have done is to jack up wheel so it is off the ground and loosen all the nuts. Then just finger tighten them and check the gap between the rim and the cast center. Use a piece of shim or something and adjust the rim so the gap is constant around the whole wheel. May have to tap with sledge hammer or wedge from the ground. After the gap is close to the same then start tightening alternately across the wheel like when torquing lug nuts. Make sure the gap stays constant. This will also make for a smoother ride down the road; because, if the wheel is off center there will be a once-around bounce you will notice most in road gear. Roger

Absent Minded Farmer · Jun 12, 2011

Thanks guys! That star tightening pattern is exactly what I forgot. It's quite a bit easier to get the rim centered that way, too. The other thing I figured out is, the bolts should go in from the back of the rim. Seems everything comes apart & goes together easier when you dont have to undo ALL of the clamps. As soon as I can get into my photobucket account, I'll post a few pics of the project.

Mike

Absent Minded Farmer · Jun 13, 2011

I figured out the photobucket issue & it was operator error. Fancy that! Anyhwo, I have some pics posted above under NOS parts / '39 H.

Mike

DanR · Jun 14, 2011

It's probably the weight of the tire and rim that is giving you grief. As you gently tighten the lugs rotate the tire back and forth as you tighten. All rims have some slop and this moves it to a different place. It will go away as the rim centers itself.

Mounting rear rim to hub, Something's not quite right...

Absent Minded Farmer

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DeltaRed

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Absent Minded Farmer

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snoop-nc

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Roger46

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Absent Minded Farmer

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Absent Minded Farmer

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DanR

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