Machining Wheels

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May 3, 2012 | 11:59 PM

4x484150

Thread Starter

Elder User

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 917

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From: South Carolina

Machining Wheels

I have a set of aluminum wheels for my truck, and they need flat lugnuts, not like factory tapered nuts. I'm having difficulty locating these nuts, as the wheels are from the late 70's/early 80's.

Would I be able to take them to a machine shop and have them tapered like a stock wheel? I wanted to ask here before I bothered a shop with a stupid question. Thanks all!

(I'll post a pic of the lugnut holes tomorrow.)

May 4, 2012 | 01:13 AM

kedwinh

Posting Guru

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 1,092

Likes: 2

From: Casa Grande

Are they the centering type bolts they uses on older aluminum wheel? The kind where part of the bolt goes into the hole to center it? Might try a tire shop or even a junkyard.

May 4, 2012 | 09:25 AM

82F100SWB

Post Fiend

Joined: Jan 2000

Posts: 5,330

Likes: 17

From: Dryden, ON, Canada

Summit racing and the likes all carry the lug nuts for mags. Have a look here: http://www.summitracing.com/search/D...?Ns=Rank%7cAsc

May 4, 2012 | 09:32 PM

4x484150

Thread Starter

Elder User

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 917

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From: South Carolina

Kedwinh: I think you're right.
82: Thanks for the link.
Here are a few pics:

May 4, 2012 | 09:38 PM

first today

Postmaster

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 3,593

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From: Prairieville, La

You need the shanked lug nuts for those wheels.

May 4, 2012 | 10:34 PM

4x484150

Thread Starter

Elder User

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 917

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From: South Carolina

Thanks first today. So what's the F150 length and thread size of the studs?

May 4, 2012 | 11:41 PM

fellro86

Hotshot

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 11,697

Likes: 3

From: Marengo, Iowa

The thread is 1/2, length is determined by the depth of the wheel. I know Autozone carries them with the washers, but for full sets you are likely better to get them from Summit or such places.

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May 5, 2012 | 09:14 AM

Gary Lewis

FTE Legend

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 32,875

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From: Northeast, OK

I think you'll be better off using the shanked nuts than having the wheels machined. I'd bet it'll cost a lot less and there's no chance that a mistake will be made during the machining.

But whichever way you go I would suggest using anti-seize compound where the nut and/or washer meets the aluminum. Otherwise it is highly likely that the aluminum will adhere to the steel and a degradation will begin on the mating surface. I've found this on our late model vehicles so I cleaned the nuts and started using anti-seize and the problem hasn't returned.