Knock Off Wheels

[Dennis Churchill #31836]

I recently purchased a set of used knock off wheels for our 64 roadster. I know there is a pin that goes between the hub and the knock off spinner, which are missing. Corvette Central sells these for about $3.00 each. I've heard they are aluminum. I've also heard people using roll pins as replacements. I don't like the idea of using a dissimliar metal with the aluminum wheels. Afraid of a chemical reaction, and not being able to get the pin out when needed. Is there another way to go? ($3.00 is small potatoes compared to the price of the wheels).

[Jimmy G.]

Re: Knock Off Wheels

I ran tapered steel roll pins in repo KO's for years with no problems. Remember these wheels are exposed to road weather so a little dissimilar metal reaction wont be much. I had a problem with the original alum. pins pinching and not releasing as the spinner tried to back off during driving. Steel is the way to go for a driver in my opinion.

[Jack H.]

Re: Knock Off Wheels

Suggest you search the archives on this topic. The original KO wheels (Kelsey Hayes) did NOT use retainer pins. Next, the reproduction wheels that provide retainer pins are OFTEN mis-used/abused. By this, I mean newbie owners mistake the pins as a catch-all substitute for original intallation/safety steps and wind up relying on the safety pins as a PRIMARY safeguard against improper installation (RH wheels on LH side, Etc.) and tightening convention (when/how do you insert the safety pins -- intial torque, secondary torque, tertiary torque of wheel spinner?).


My personal belief, is the second 'opps' is what leads to the tale of aluminum-in-steel deformation. Further, I think reproduction wheels, if properly installed according to factory original Chevy/Kelsey-Hayes proceedures don't necessarily 'need' the safety pins. On the other hand, there IS merit in wearing belts and suspenders.....


But, a set of cheap suspenders is NOT a panache for the lack of a proper belt or a good set of suspenders in the first place. Bottom line, understand the do's and don't of KO wheels in general, before launching on a campaign to build a better mousetrap in the form of safety pins....