Wheels not centering on hub

[jcd9730]

Hi everybody, got another question. So my rear wheels are not centered on the hub, and as a result they wobble. Badly.

I put hub rings on today, and while they weren't a perfect fit, it was pretty close, within about 2 or so mm. Still wobbled, not as bad, but when I had both wheels off the ground and turned it on, they were noticeably wobbling. The drivers side was much worse than the passenger side, for some reason.

So, what else can I do besides the rings? I'd rather not buy new wheels at this point, and I'm not sure what else I can try. The lug nuts already extend almost to the hub, but dont touch it.

Is this really a big deal? The lug nuts dont ever come loose, but I can feel a noticeable shaking over 40mph or so. If new wheels are the last option, how dangerous is driving with uncentered wheels long term?

I attached a pic of the wheels, since I'm not sure what kind they are. American Eagle or something.

[SIXTY9]

Josh,

Those wheels might have a universal washer that centers the wheel on the hub, the wheel was designed to fit more than one lug pattern. Also would not drive the vehicle that way. Could cause so damage.

[jcd9730]

Its got washers, but i dont see how they would center the wheel? They certainly dont help it center at all right now

[SIXTY9]

The washers are offset to the lug pattern. They are oblong washers that fit the wheels lugnut holes. Do you have a picture with the wheel not installed closeup of the pattern?

[jcd9730]

The washers aren't oblong, they are def round, but the openings in the wheel itself are more round, but kinda a raggedy round, not perfectly round.

I'm at work so I can't take it apart, but here is a pic up close of the wheel, maybe it'll help

[SS Tim]

Sounds like you have the wrong lugnuts. If the wheel has lug holes much larger than the studs you need the shouldered lug nuts. If you are just using acorns and the wheel requires shouldered lug nuts with washers the wheel face may be damaged. Also there is a good chance of shearing off studs. Do not drive these until it is sorted out. A picture of the wheel hub with lugs off would be a good start. Those look like the old American Racing Daisy aluminum wheels and not the later composite wheels with the steel rim and peeling chrome.

[jcd9730]

The lug holes are much bigger that the studs, but I do have shouldered lug nuts with round washers.

[SIXTY9]

Same thought. Had a set that was oblong or oval that had to have special washer, and lug nut.

[jcd9730]

http://www.akhwheels.com/pages/showMisc.php?pk=338

Its these lug nuts, now that I know what kinda wheel it is haha. Thanks btw

[SIXTY9]

Do know that the style American wheel had there on style lug nuts.

[SS Tim]

If the lug holes are oblong you have a dual fit wheel designed to be used with two different size bolt patterns (maybe 5x5 and 5x4.75 in this case). They used a oblong washer with a hole at one end that was spun in or out depending on pattern size and I am pretty sure they used shouldered lug nuts as well. Again do not drive these like this.
If this is what you have there is nothing centering your wheel. It is a system of matching parts for a correct fit.

[jcd9730]

Hmm the guy i bought the truck from left some oblong washers in the glove box. I didnt know why I would need em, so i just tossed them in the tool box.

So the oblong washers will center the wheels? do i need to keep the round washers on also, or just the oblong?

[SIXTY9]

Those look like the ones.

[SIXTY9]

I only used one washer. The oblong ones. You still need to use the American lug nuts.

[jcd9730]

And to be sure, you dont mean offset washers right?

[SIXTY9]

You need to use the offset washer to center the wheel on the hubs. I would not use the washers you have installed now. Just to be sure a picture with the lug nuts off would confirm what I an thinking.

[SS Tim]

If you have oblong slots in the wheels you need to ues the oblong insert set for the correct pattern size some were actually triple and used a special oblong insert with either a center hole or an offset hole. The insert hole will be a close match to the correct lug nut diameter and be very close to the hub when fully torqued. Sorry I just don't remember if it used a washered lug nut on top of the insert but I believe so.

[jcd9730]

Ok, one pic of the opening, another of the lug and washer. The washer by itself is the oblong one that I found in my glovebox

[jcd9730]

Hmm I guess it is oblong. I never really paid attention to that, I was more worried about the hub ring. Never seen oblong washers for lug nuts, and I didn't even know those were for the lug nuts

[SIXTY9]

Josh,
Looking at your closeup, You need to use the oblong washers, I don't think it would hurt anything to use the ones you have on top of oblong ones.

[jcd9730]

Yep I'll give that a try when I get home. Thanks guys, I never would have known to look in this direction, or what those washers were for!

[SIXTY9]

Yep, you got to use the washers you found if they center your wheel, if not the link you found might have the correct one for the 5 on 5 pattern. Good looking wheels. Wish I had kept mine.

[SS Tim]

Here maybe this will help I still have things to do before I crash.
http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/08...s/viewall.html

[jcd9730]

Good info. Looks like using the right washer is more important than I thought. Used to the cone style I guess. Thanks!