Technical Cragar s/s washer question

Quick question, I just bought a lug nut/washer kit for my cragar s/s but it came with two different sets of washers, one center drilled the other offset drilled. What's the difference?

 

The concentric washers are used for 4-3/4'' B.C. (Chevy)

The offset washers are for 4-1/2" B.C. (Ford and Mopar)

And good luck with the uni-lugs!

 

Lakeroadster, what do you mean good luck with the uni lugs? The rims? Are they notorious for something?

 

kind of a pita to mount is what he means.

the offset washer is also used for 5x5 bolt pattern hubs

 

Or 5" bolt circle (some full size GM) and I ran them for years never had a problem.
Bobwop types faster than I do.

 

Uni lug wheels love to dance. But once you get that first lug on its all down hill from there.

 

As you put the wheels on your car do this:

- Install all the washers and lug nuts and hand tighten them without using any tools, just your hands

- Sit straddle the tire with your knees against the tire

- Now move the tire and see how much slop there is between the washers, lug nut shank and the little stops built into the wheel.

That slop will equate into tires that are balanced on the rim, yet may or may not be balanced mounted to the car.

Now, if you can still find a shop that can balance the tire after its bolted to the car, then you'll get a good balance.

The out of balance condition will be worse if the tires are big in diameter and width and/or both. If your running stock or near stock tire sizes it won't be to noticeable.

I learned this back in the late 70's trying to get the L70-15 tires/Cragar mags balanced on my Nova. Numerous shops balanced them, yet on the car they weren't balanced. I ended up using a dial indicator to ensure the wheels had a minimal amount of run-out before I tightened them down with the lug wrench. A true pita but it worked.

There simply is no substitute for tapered wheel lug holes and a hub centric wheel boss. Everything else is a compromise.

That being said I love Cragar S/S wheels... but I truly hate uni-lugs.

 

I used the offset ones a few weeks ago. They worked fine. Car was 63 Falcon Sport Coupe.

 

Thanks all, good brake down lakeroadster.

 

I have Cragar SS unilugs on my 69 Mustang and they went on tight with no slop (I was surprised). I bought them from a buddy who had them on a 66 Mustang so I did not have them balanced on my car. It rides great. see my cars at www.picturetrail.com/bartmcneill

 

that is because the bolt pattern is 4.5. The biggest hassle is when putting them on a 4.75 bp.

 

I used the offset on my 15" Cragar SS multifits (unilugs), 4.5 and 4.75 BP. The are 2 tabs cast into each spoke that the lug seats against, these retain the lugs when the wheel stud is inserted and threaded onto the axle stud.

 

Right on, I was looking at that on mine yesterday, do the washers rest up against the little tabs.

 

I have these wheels on my Falcon and my Fairlane. The best way I have found to mount them is this:
Place washers on lugs - Duh
Put wheel on Hub/disc/drum
Rotate wheel so one stud is straight up
Place lug on stud and turn it by hand about 3/4 of the way on.
Now rotate wheel so the next stud is straight up
Rock wheel back and forth until stud is centered on hole
Put the next lug on and turn it in 3/4 of the way on
Rotate wheel until the next stud is at the top
Do this all the way around all 5 studs then when all 5 are on tighten them down
Then place car on ground and torque them to specs
Do this all by hand unless you want to change lugs every 6 months due to rust as using an air gun will damage the chrome

 

That's the design intent.

 

Here they are I just need to hurry up and clean and paint my drums. Anyone know the correct torque specs?

 

Beautiful.... simply beautiful. What are you putting these on?

 

Thanks for the compliment, 63 impala sport coupe

 

Most excellent. With the tire size you have you should have no problems with the uni-lugs. Looking forward to seeing the "after installation" photo's.

 

I will post it up, hopefully by sunday

 

Mine mounted fine (Ford). Never had an out of balance but Crager SS's sure ain't what they used to be. Mine started having rust spots in a year. I understand there needs to be a coat of wax on them from the get-go & frequently after that.... i wanted them for the nostalgic look but i'd never buy them again....

 

2 down 2 to go. I got a question, I'm wondering if i should change out my wheel studs. They've never gave me trouble before but being that they're most likely original, I wonder. I know the fronts are easy to swap but can the rears be done by an average joe or does this require special attention from a rear end shop?

 

from the picture i'm not sure they are uni-lugs, maybe it's the angle of the shot, i don't see a place for the washer to sit down in.

 

Lemme go get another pic

 

Bump

 

You've got me wondering now, first set ever so I'm a lil nervous.

 

Nice looking wheels...

 

Thanks but the question remains, are these indeed unilug?