Wheel won't turn!!!

[Rex T.]

I just replaced the front calipers and pads on my 67. Also replaced all wheel studs because some were broken or damaged. Now, when I bolt the wheel back on, it won't turn. I took the wheel back off and the rotor turns just fine, so I put a couple of lug nuts on and drew them up tight............rotor won't turn again. Rotors are fairly new replacements, had no problems before. Has anyone ever experienced this problem or do you have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Rex

[Joe L.]

Re: Wheel won't turn!!!

Rex------

I can't say that I've EVER had this problem. Until you said that with the wheel removed and the lug nuts installed and tightened the rotor locked up, I would have thought that something was contacting the wheel when you tightened the lugs nuts up and causing the problem. However, considering that it locks up with just the lug nuts installed on the rotor is very perplexing.

I'm assuming that your front rotors have been separated from the hubs and are now retained by the lug bolts only. If so, it may be that due to some distortion or installation problem with the calipers or caliper brackets, when the rotor is tightened against the hub by the lug nuts, the rotor is forced into contact with the calipers and causes it to bind up. I know it's a "stretch", but it's all I can think of. There just isn't any other way that I can see for the tightening of the lugs nuts to affect rotation of the rotors.

By the way, this car doesn't have J-56 HD brakes, does it?

[Rex T.]

Re: Wheel won't turn!!!

It does now. I've added them as part of my project. New SS sleeved J-56 calipers (original 67's) and new J-56 pads (aftermarket), plus J-56 stiffening brackets. I'm open to all ideas. Don't really want to take them off, but I do want to drive my car.

Thanks,
Rex

[Wayne W.]

Re: Wheel won't turn!!!

If the rotors are rears they will do this. If, when you originally replaced them with old worn pads, they may have worked.

[Rex T.]

Re: Wheel won't turn!!!

Same rotors I took off, replaced on same side of front, no chance of mixing them with the rears. Since these are used rotors with new pads, should I have them turned just to true them up? I just again tried loosening up the lug nuts and the wheel will turn, so it obviously has something to do with something being in a bind when wheel is tightened. When looking thru the wheel (original American Torque Thrust D spokes from the 60's), it appears that the J-56 pads contact a very small portion of the rotor toward the center of the rotor that the other pads did not. Got to get this thing going............it's been too long since I drove it.

Thanks,
Rex

[Joe L.]

Re: Wheel won't turn!!!

Rex-----

Remove the J-56 caliper reinforcements. I bet that this will solve the problem. These reinforcements often have to be shimmed to avoid distortion. When you re-install the reinforcements, you will need to shim them so that any distortion is avoided. Use HARDENED washers to shim them. It is, somewhat, a trial and error process and it can be tedious.

Why don't the reinforcements always fit and function properly, as-is? I wish I knew.

[Rex T.]

Re: Wheel won't turn!!!

I wondered about that when I installed them. Seems they did not fit exactly flush on one end when installed, but I tightened them up anyway.

Thanks Joe, I'll try that and let you know.

Thanks,
Rex

[Rex T.]

Re: Wheel won't turn!!!

Thanks Joe..............that did it, only a couple of small washers to even things out. Thanks to you, the project moves forward.

Rex

[Chuck R.]

Re: Wheel won't turn!!!

Hi Rex,

Slowly and evenly tighten the lugs up until the issue starts to appear and take a hard look at the backside of the tire and rim to see if they are coming in contact with the caliper assembly.

The only other thing I can think of is that the heads of the new studs are coming in contact with the caliper or spindle, but I would think that this would be constant as you have the spindle snugged up and in place and I'll assume spinning freely.

Did you replace the caliper bracket as well to mate up the new caliper assemblies?

Chuck

[Rex T.]

Re: Wheel won't turn!!!

Joe Lucia hit the nail on the head. The J-56 stiffening support brackets required shimming. Did it to both sides and problem resolved.

Thanks to all for your input.

Rex