Today I'm just a "Lug Nut"

[Bob S.]

Hi folks -

I bought a nice '66 roadster a few months back. The knock off wheels (real K-O's attached to bolt-on adapters with spinners) are apparently reproductions. "Western Wheel", "15 X 6" and the max load are cast inside the wheel. Since my spare is a bolt on type (not a K-O), and the flats on the lug nuts that fasten the adapters show a lot of wear (probably from the repeated use of an air wrench), I'm wanting to replace the lug nuts in case I'm ever stuck by the side of the road with a flat. Note that I'm not interested in a K-O spare since I eventually plan to swap back to original style steel wheels and hubcaps.

Questions:
1. Is the lug nut for attaching the adapter different from the 'regular' lug nut that holds a steel wheel on? If so, what's the difference?
2. I've seen several people mention a safety pin that prevent the spinner from coming loose (and the disaterous results...). I don't see any such feature on my adapters, spinners, etc. Could someone please help me understand what / where this safety feature is?

Best Regards, Bob S.

[John H.]

Re: Today I'm just a "Lug Nut"

Bob -

The A.I.M. shows the P48 adapter lug nut as P/N 3852554 , which is different than the standard lug nut (P/N 3585010), but I don't know how the two differ. The safety pin feature wasn't used on the early reproduction adapters and spinners, but came along later; there were axial half-slots in the adapter and spinner threads that formed a round hole when the two were aligned, and a pin was inserted in the hole to prevent the spinner from loosening.

[Duke W.]

Re: Today I'm just a "Lug Nut"

The OE KO adapter nuts are quite a bit longer than those used for steel wheels and leave no exposed thread from the stud when intalled - not exactly sure why, but if anyone knows...

Never tried, but I believe the long KO adapter nuts can be used to satisfactorily secure a spare steel wheel to the hub. Of course, to change to a spare steel wheel you will need to have a 3/4" lug wrench to remove the adapter. If orignally equipped with KOs a lug wrench was not included - just the hammer - since a lug wrench was not needed to install the spare, which was also a KO.

The early Western repros, like the originals, DO NOT have the "safety pins". That feature was added to the later manufacturered repros sometime in the eighties, best I can figure.

Duke

[Rick A.]

Re: Today I'm just a "Lug Nut"

Bob,

Cehck Corvette America for replacement lug nuts

[Wayne W.]

Re: Today I'm just a "Lug Nut"

The lugs are longer so you will not install the wheel wrong. Other than that they are interchangable.

[Bob S.]

Re: Today I'm just a "Lug Nut"

Gentlemen- Thanks for the insight. Wayne, I find your point particularly interesting, since my parts show where individuals previously servicing my car attempted the improper assy of the wheels onto the adapters (which were installed with short lug nuts!). Thanks a bunch !!!

Best Regards, Bob S.

[Wayne P.]

Re: Today I'm just a "Lug Nut"

I thought the jack handle was the lug wrench. Have I missed something all these years?

[Duke W.]

Re: Today I'm just a "Lug Nut"

Correct. My statement that you need to add a lug wrench in my previous post was incorrect.

Duke