Knock-offs and Steel Wheels revisited

[Patrick F. McInerney]

My '64 Convertible was fitted with early Taiwan knock-offs when I purchased the car. On the way home with it the right front wheel came off while making a slow, thank goodness, left turn. Some damage to the fender well, one broken mail box post and major anti knock-off feelings for me.

I'm now road testing after complete rebuild and I find myself stopping every two blocks to see if my bench marks for spinner to wheel are still lined up. Phooey!

I've tried to find a set of late '63 steel wheels to no avail. Coker Tire and Paragon offer a 15 X 5 with 1" offset which has the hubcap humps. The center hole is larger than original which concerns me more than the increased off-set.

Has anyone installed these wheels? Any problems?

Thanks for your help.

Pat McInerney

[Tracy C.]

Check the latest Driveline... *NM*

[Larry S.]

Re: Knock-offs and Steel Wheels revisited

Sorry for your troubles

But Please share with us why the KO came off?

[Patrick F. McInerney]

Re: Knock-offs and Steel Wheels revisited

Larry,

The left front wheel had not been mounted properly. Setting the wheel in place slightly off pin and nut holes left it cocked. The spinner was run up but not properly tightened. My short run was enough to center the wheel which left the spinner loose. I shudder to think about what might have happened.

Pat McInerney

[Mike McKown]

Re: Knock-offs and Steel Wheels revisited

What do you think would have been your experience with knock off wheels if they had been mounted and tightened properly?

Seems that most people that have had wheels come loose, they weren't mounted or tightened properly or the drive pin holes in the wheels were already wallered out due to improper mounting or tightening. Whdaya' think?

How much do you want for your old "fly off" wheels"? I need a set.

[William C.]

Re: Knock-offs and Steel Wheels revisited

I personaly have driven many thousand miles with K/O wheels over the last 30 years or so, no problem if properly tightened.

[Patrick F. McInerney]

Re: Knock-offs and Steel Wheels revisited

Had the wheel not come off I might feel more comfortable about knock-offs. However, it did happen and I wouldn't want to go through a similar experience in heavy traffic at 40 mph.

Additionally my spare is a steel wheel, not original, so a flat would require some doing on the road with at least a pinch bar to remove the adapter.

My wheels are Taiwan made. The machining of the adapter and spinner do not make for good taper fits which, in my experience, should be at least 80% contact. Perhaps the KH wheels are better machined which would make them more dependable after proper mounting and tightening.

Pat McInerney

[Larry S.]

Re: Knock-offs and Steel Wheels revisited

Again Sorry for your troubles as I have car myself and I know what its like to have a Major problem with it needing repairs.

But thanks for shairing the cause of the problem