67 aluminium wheel problem

[Matt T.]

Hi Guys,

I'm have issues with the retaining clips for the starburst centres binding on to the lug nuts, making the centres almost impossible to remove (short of using a slide hammer).

The wheels are reproduction units and the issue seems to be the lack of space for the retaining clips.
Once they grip the retaining ring and open up they can foul on the lug nut (dependant on its position).

Has anyone had the same issue, and if so come up with a fix?

Thanks
Matt

[John H.]

Re: 67 aluminium wheel problem

Hi Guys,

I'm have issues with the retaining clips for the starburst centres binding on to the lug nuts, making the centres almost impossible to remove (short of using a slide hammer).

The wheels are reproduction units and the issue seems to be the lack of space for the retaining clips.
Once they grip the retaining ring and open up they can foul on the lug nut (dependant on its position).

Has anyone had the same issue, and if so come up with a fix?

Thanks
Matt

Matt -

Most of the reproduction N89 wheels use long-shank cylindrical lug nuts with a 7/8" hex (vs. the 3/4" hex on the production lug nuts, which were also used on the production N89 wheels). The larger hex size of the reproduction lug nuts requires orienting at least one of the nuts on each wheel so a flat side of the hex faces the retainer clip, to provide clearance for the thickness of the wall of the cap to fit between the lug nut and the clip.

If you need to change a wheel on the road, you'll also find that the production lug wrench is useless, as it's 3/4" hex. You can either carry a second 7/8" lug wrench, or do what I did, and weld a 7/8" 6-point socket to a regular lug nut so the regular lug wrench can be used for both hex size lug nuts.


N89LugTool.jpg

[Matt T.]

Re: 67 aluminium wheel problem

Thanks for the info John. I had been carrying both lug wrenches but your adaptor is the way to go.

Thanks
Matt

[Rick M.]

Re: 67 aluminium wheel problem

Matt: You may also want to check the clip orientation on the Starburst cap. The clip has a wide side and a narrow side where the teeth grab the wheel. Make sure they are all oriented the same. Putting the narrow side of the clip toward the lug nuts may help. I had the same problem as you and even had 2 clips break when removing the Starburst.

[Matt T.]

Re: 67 aluminium wheel problem

Thanks Rick, I'll give it a try.

Matt

[Rick M.]

Re: 67 aluminium wheel problem

Matt:
Good Luck. Let us know if that helps.
Rick

[Rick M.]

Re: 67 aluminium wheel problem

Matt: My earlier suggestion may not be of help. I checked my Starbursts today and noticed that one had clips which were a little different than the other three. The wide side of the clip wasn't too much wider than the narrow side so the wide side fit between the cast ribs on the wheel. This gives more clearance for the lug nut. However, the wide side on the other clips was much wider and although they would fit into the cast rib on the wheel they would be severely compressed into the groove. This would make them very hard to get off. You might want to check yours closely before moving the narrow side toward the lug nuts. Hope this is clear. Sorry if I miss led you.
Rick