I'm thinking about putting Supremes or chrome reverse wheels on the '59, but I've heard that reverse offset wheels are especially hard on ball bearing hubs. Any actual experiences out there?
Check this out....My 57 has the hubs from a 63 Biscayne on it that are tapered bearings.If the hubs fit mine they will fit yours. Easy and cheap swap! I had to remove the rivets that hold the drums to the hubs to reuse my 57 drums.
40 years ago i remember guys selling thier chrome reverse wheels because they couldn't keep ball bearings in their cars. I ran them NEVER had an issue. You need to run ball bearings LOOSE, if you run them tight like a taper bearing you will run them out !!!!
Yep...a "small" offset might not be too bad. But forget those 60's/70's deep offset wheels. I recall one day (a really...long time ago!), while working at an autoparts store, we heard this screaming sound comming down the street. We walked outside to see a 63 or 64 Impala with deeply offset chrome wheels and smoke comming from the wheel we could see (the right side)...! I'd say no more thAn 1". Now a "wider" wheel with some outside offset, that's a different story, because there is still some load/angle on the inside as would be closer to the OEM design. Mike
I've never heard of a problem with bearings while running a reversed wheel. Could be, but considering lowrider guys have been running reversed offsets since the late '60's I don't think its too much of an issue. Post sent by a carrier pigeon
This is exactly the information that I was looking for! The reverse Supremes are a pretty deep offset, but that's why the look so great.
you will never regret the change to roller bearings. I thought 61 was roller, too. I could be wrong on that.
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