Can these wheels be refurbished? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JayDubBlazer · 05-04-2011, 09:31 PM

I just took a look at these and found that the lug sleeves were rusty and some were missing. Are these hard to replace? Are they easy to clean up and paint?

Tx Firefighter · 05-04-2011, 10:07 PM

If it's just the steel lug hole inserts that's the issue it should be cake work for a machinist to bore the holes and fabricate/ press in new inserts. Those wheels are pretty rare nowadays and certainly worth the effort.

*Shane* · 05-04-2011, 10:16 PM

once you get the lug holes squared away, go to your local hvac supply house and purchase some coil cleaner ... squirt it on ... let it sit ... hose it off ... they will look like new.

JayDubBlazer · 05-05-2011, 06:27 AM

are the insert available anywhere? Also I've heard that they take a special lug is this true?

**special-K** · 05-05-2011, 07:33 AM

Are the lug bores larger than about 1/2"? Towards the end of when those wheels were made they went to the standard beveled seat/chamfered lug design. I had the exact same wheels on my '90 Blazer and they were discounted because the set was mixed. But none were sleeved. I got tired of confused tire shop guys so I ended up boring the newer design to accept the old-style mag lugs. If yours are the small bore maybe the rust is from the studs. No matter,the answer is,"Yes",they can be refinished and definitely worth it. I would not paint them. Shane's suggestion sounds like a good one. I got mine clean with wheel cleaner and Scotch Brite. They aren't polished,so it hurt nothing. Matter of fact,on another set that were real trashy I used steel wool and they cleaned up real nice. Watch your knuckles!!

Hottrucks · 05-05-2011, 08:18 AM

heres a set of 6 luggers that KEEP coming up for sale I have seen them for about 6 months now..if someone is intrested......

http://burlington.craigslist.org/pts/2357991850.html

JayDubBlazer · 05-05-2011, 09:25 AM

The bore holes are definately larger than 1/2". I looked at the sleave really close and can definately see that the rust is coming from a sleeve. The seller said that the sleeves available from AA autoparts but I don't understand how the nut seats with the sleave lip sticking out. The asking price for these wheels are a little bit more that what I would consider a deal and want to make sure I don't end up using them to make some really cool coffee stands that my fiance would leave me for.

jablack · 05-05-2011, 06:47 PM

I have a five lug set on my 67.

QKENUF4U · 05-05-2011, 10:23 PM

figure out the sleeves the have them sand blasted and clear powder coated ... will look like new forever .... good luck

JayDubBlazer · 05-08-2011, 09:37 PM

Does anyone know where I can get these sleaves?

05-04-2011, 09:31 PM	#1
JayDubBlazer go cyclones Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ames, IA Posts: 1,885	Can these wheels be refurbished? I just took a look at these and found that the lug sleeves were rusty and some were missing. Are these hard to replace? Are they easy to clean up and paint? Attached Images __________________ Wes PROJECT OLE GREEN 1972 Blazer 4X4 350/700R4 2017 Silverado LT

05-04-2011, 10:07 PM	#2
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Can these wheels be refurbished? If it's just the steel lug hole inserts that's the issue it should be cake work for a machinist to bore the holes and fabricate/ press in new inserts. Those wheels are pretty rare nowadays and certainly worth the effort. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

05-04-2011, 10:16 PM	#3
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: Can these wheels be refurbished? once you get the lug holes squared away, go to your local hvac supply house and purchase some coil cleaner ... squirt it on ... let it sit ... hose it off ... they will look like new.

05-05-2011, 06:27 AM	#4
JayDubBlazer go cyclones Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ames, IA Posts: 1,885	Re: Can these wheels be refurbished? are the insert available anywhere? Also I've heard that they take a special lug is this true? __________________ Wes PROJECT OLE GREEN 1972 Blazer 4X4 350/700R4 2017 Silverado LT

05-05-2011, 07:33 AM	#5
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,859	Re: Can these wheels be refurbished? Are the lug bores larger than about 1/2"? Towards the end of when those wheels were made they went to the standard beveled seat/chamfered lug design. I had the exact same wheels on my '90 Blazer and they were discounted because the set was mixed. But none were sleeved. I got tired of confused tire shop guys so I ended up boring the newer design to accept the old-style mag lugs. If yours are the small bore maybe the rust is from the studs. No matter,the answer is,"Yes",they can be refinished and definitely worth it. I would not paint them. Shane's suggestion sounds like a good one. I got mine clean with wheel cleaner and Scotch Brite. They aren't polished,so it hurt nothing. Matter of fact,on another set that were real trashy I used steel wool and they cleaned up real nice. Watch your knuckles!! __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

05-05-2011, 08:18 AM	#6
Hottrucks Redefining LowBudget Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: lebanon Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,538	Re: Can these wheels be refurbished? heres a set of 6 luggers that KEEP coming up for sale I have seen them for about 6 months now..if someone is intrested...... http://burlington.craigslist.org/pts/2357991850.html

05-05-2011, 09:25 AM	#7
JayDubBlazer go cyclones Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ames, IA Posts: 1,885	Re: Can these wheels be refurbished? The bore holes are definately larger than 1/2". I looked at the sleave really close and can definately see that the rust is coming from a sleeve. The seller said that the sleeves available from AA autoparts but I don't understand how the nut seats with the sleave lip sticking out. The asking price for these wheels are a little bit more that what I would consider a deal and want to make sure I don't end up using them to make some really cool coffee stands that my fiance would leave me for. __________________ Wes PROJECT OLE GREEN 1972 Blazer 4X4 350/700R4 2017 Silverado LT

05-05-2011, 06:47 PM	#8
jablack Classic Chevy Recycler Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 422	Re: Can these wheels be refurbished? I have a five lug set on my 67. __________________ 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT 1970 Chevrolet C50 1979 Chevrolet C30 Need another 67 or 68 soon...

05-05-2011, 10:23 PM	#9
QKENUF4U Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SUNNY WARM BIKE RIDING COTTONWOOD ARIZONA Posts: 2,097	Re: Can these wheels be refurbished? figure out the sleeves the have them sand blasted and clear powder coated ... will look like new forever .... good luck

05-08-2011, 09:37 PM	#10
JayDubBlazer go cyclones Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ames, IA Posts: 1,885	Re: Can these wheels be refurbished? Does anyone know where I can get these sleaves? __________________ Wes PROJECT OLE GREEN 1972 Blazer 4X4 350/700R4 2017 Silverado LT



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