Tightening rims to the felloes

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
Harvey Bergstrom
Posts: 122
Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2022 10:12 pm
First Name: Harvey
Last Name: Bergstrom
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Touring
Location: Cayuga ND

Tightening rims to the felloes

Post by Harvey Bergstrom » Sun Apr 16, 2023 5:53 pm

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!

User avatar

CudaMan
Posts: 2531
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 4:17 pm
First Name: Mark
Last Name: Strange
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Cut Off Touring (now a pickup)
Location: Hillsboro, MO
Board Member Since: 2013

Re: Tightening rims to the felloes

Post by CudaMan » Sun Apr 16, 2023 6:20 pm

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. :)
Attachments
IMG_1284.jpg
Mark Strange
Hillsboro, MO
1924 Cut-off Touring (now a pickup)


Topic author
Harvey Bergstrom
Posts: 122
Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2022 10:12 pm
First Name: Harvey
Last Name: Bergstrom
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Touring
Location: Cayuga ND

Re: Tightening rims to the felloes

Post by Harvey Bergstrom » Sun Apr 16, 2023 7:36 pm

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.


Wayne Sheldon
Posts: 4249
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:13 pm
First Name: Wayne
Last Name: Sheldon
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Runabout 1913 Speedster
Location: Grass Valley California, USA
Board Member Since: 2005

Re: Tightening rims to the felloes

Post by Wayne Sheldon » Sun Apr 16, 2023 7:46 pm

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.

User avatar

Craig Leach
Posts: 1906
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 12:22 am
First Name: craig
Last Name: leach
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919 Firetruck/1922 Speedster
Location: Laveen Az

Re: Tightening rims to the felloes

Post by Craig Leach » Sun Apr 16, 2023 7:54 pm

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.


Topic author
Harvey Bergstrom
Posts: 122
Joined: Tue Dec 27, 2022 10:12 pm
First Name: Harvey
Last Name: Bergstrom
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Touring
Location: Cayuga ND

Re: Tightening rims to the felloes

Post by Harvey Bergstrom » Sun Apr 16, 2023 10:43 pm

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


Allan
Posts: 6609
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
First Name: Allan
Last Name: Bennett
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
Location: Gawler, Australia

Re: Tightening rims to the felloes

Post by Allan » Mon Apr 17, 2023 7:40 am

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.

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic