The past week or so I've been trying to rid myself of a noise while turning.
I can hear what sounds like the front hubcaps.
I checked if they were loose.
I changed the anti-rattle springs on my brake pads.

It seems like my front wheels are loose!
But the tapered lug nuts are right up tight against the hub.


I have the same 16" steel wheels that came on the truck 27 years ago.
Where am I going to find a stock 8 lug wheels in good shape?

 

How about using 4 of the tapered nuts to center the wheel and use a washer and a regular nut on the intervening lugs? That would clamp the wheel to the hub to prevent it from moving and making the noise. Just as a test.

 

There should be something available aftermarket in a stock wheel.

 

Best I find is Summit on Ebay offering 2 for $210 delivered (in black)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wheel-Vintiques-82-Series-White-Wheel-16-x7-8x6-5-BC-Set-of-2-/390853989759?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Wheels&hash=item5b00b6957f&vxp=mtr

 

You could also eyeball the chrome aftermarket lug nuts they make in the parts store. Some of them are larger and have a larger tapered area on them. They usually take a larger lug wrench though.

Are your wheels hub centric or lug centric?

 

What about chucking the nuts in a lathe and taking the tip of the taper off?

 

With tapered lugs and a D44HD axle I'd assume they are lug centric.
I know I have to fuss with them and run all the nuts down before torquing them.

Gary, I don't have a lathe and I would think I'd need to face each lug hole too.
That kind of shop work would cost as much as new rims.
(wish I could find them in gray)

They sure don't owe me anything.

 

I agree that working on the wheels would be ideal, but if they are worn you'd have to add metal, wouldn't you? But, if you can get by with truncating the nuts they would still center the wheels on the lugs.

Anyway, the best approach is to replace the wheels - if that's the problem. Are you sure that is it?

 

I have already scoped out the chrome lug nut idea for my 64 chevy. I have a set of steel rims off a 84 buick I am going to use on it, they have a little better offset that I like and the stock ss wheel covers will fit. The only problem is the stock 64 lug nuts fit too far up inside the 84 rims, the rim lug nut hole is actually rubbing on the hex part of the lug nuts. The 84 had metric lug nuts, but had the old chevy bolt pattern.

I went to the store and found they had sets of aftermarket lug nuts in the standard thread, but they are larger in diameter and should cure my problem. In most cases when you buy these things you start cussing when you find out your stock lug wrench that came with the car won't work, but in this case if they made them in the size to fit your truck, it will be a blessing in disguise and may cure your problem also.

 

Gary,
I have a broken hand right now.
As soon as I can get them off I'll post pic's.

Thanks for your advice Dave.
I'd Rep you if I could.

 

Broken hand? Is there a good story with it?

 

No, but the doctors interrogated me thoroughly!

I should have said something like 'My damn wife just wouldn't stay down'

 

Try craigs list , I've picked up 16 over the past few years. (for 3 trucks). Try comparing a new lug nut with an old one. Sometimes the taper sort of "stretches" so the nut might bottom out on the hub.

 

I second facing off the nuts as a quick, short term fix.

If the wheels have been running with a loose taper- seat then the wheel taper will be ovalised and so the permanent fix is new wheels and nuts.

 

Jim, Rockauto have reconditioned rims @ $56 each......1987 FORD F-250 Wheel