MTFCA Forum

I will be having all the wheels off for a respoke and wondering about proper tightness of the rims once I put the rims back on. Are the rims tightened to the felloes so the rim ears are tight against the felloes ? I see at point of contact between the lip of the rim & felloe, there is still a gap between the ear & felloe. I see slight wear in the holes of the ears, that to me indicates they were too loose at some time.
I am assuming the ears should be tight to the felloes. Does anyone want to give so thought to my stupid question? Thank you!

What style of rims and felloes do you have? Please post pictures.

If they are Hayes, do not pull the lugs in until they hit the felloes! They are designed to leave a gap when tightened properly. As for the inevitable question about a torque spec, I use a standard 5/8 combination wrench on the nut and snug the nuts as far as I can without bruising my hand from the force. Based on feel, I would say 35-40 foot-pounds. Recheck the lug nut torque after the first drive and after a few drives after until they take a set.

I have Hayes rims & not sure of the felloes, however they are smooth on the outside with no lugs of any kind. The lug nuts are like the ones on wheels of today.

Varies from one wheel manufacturer to the next. and mixing wheels and rims complicates the issue.
Do not over-tighten! A lot of model T rims have had the lugs broken off the rim by people trying to close that gap. I do them strictly by feel. And a visual that it appears to have seated correctly.

As I understand the rim seats against the fellow not the lug so the lug should never be tight against it. Just how I understand it.
Carig.

Thanks guys! You have answered my question.
Happy & safe driving!

Harvey, if you have Hayes rims, you most likely have Hayes felloes. Hayes rims have a foot on the lug which requires an indent in the felloe to allow that foot to clear the outer rolled lip. The only way Hayes rims will fit other wheels is if the felloes have been modified to fit the Hayes rims.

Fixed lug rims are designed to wedge onto the inner land on the felloe, well before the lug can engage the outer face of the felloe. If the lug does contact the outer face, it is a sign of worn rim/ felloe, likely caused by running with the rims loose on the wheel.

Allan from down under.