Universal Flat wheel Covers

[trikkonceptz]

I was just thinking of a way to adapt flat plates to any rim without changing the wheel and I came up with this;

-Remove 2 lugs from your current rim
-Shop a hardware store, or online for a Ferrel or Ferrule Nut that will fit where your lug use to be. A ferrel nut looks just like a regular nut but elongated. I am use to using them to attach trophy rods together but I am sure they make larger ones.
-Screw on Ferrel nut in place of wheel nut
-Find or make your flat plate
-Find a bolt that will fit the ferrel nut
-Tighten down and enjoy

I'm sure you will not have to use more than 2 on any wheel, three would be nice on a 5 lug set up.

What do you guys think?

[ttoyoda]

That is a great idea.
Sometimes called a Coupling Nut.
1/2-13 x L1-3/4 x A11/16 Coupling Nut Zinc Plated | Fastenal
You could put it in the lathe and cut a taper seat on the end so it fits the wheel just like the regular lug nuts do.

[trikkonceptz]

BINGO !!! I'm sure if they do not make them in automotive threads, you can just buy one of approximate size and use a tap set to change the threading on one end at least...

[cfg83]

trikkonceptz -

I like it. Will the Ferrel or Ferrule Nut come in the same "tensile strength" as a "normal" wheel nut?

CarloSW2

[SVOboy]

Originally Posted by ttoyoda

That is a great idea.
Sometimes called a Coupling Nut.
1/2-13 x L1-3/4 x A11/16 Coupling Nut Zinc Plated | Fastenal
You could put it in the lathe and cut a taper seat on the end so it fits the wheel just like the regular lug nuts do.

Thanks for the link, I had no idea what was being told about,

Sounds like a neat idea. Looking forward to someone doing it,

[wagonman76]

Originally Posted by cfg83

trikkonceptz -

I like it. Will the Ferrel or Ferrule Nut come in the same "tensile strength" as a "normal" wheel nut?

CarloSW2

That was my first thought when I read the initial post. Make sure to get it in grade 8. If you use plain old grade 2, you will be asking for problems. You can probably get the coupling nut in grade 8 from Fastenal. Or possibly McMaster-Carr, they are an excellent place to get things like that. Ive bought from them many times.

But I really do like the idea. I have been thinking of a way to do this as well. My thought was to make up or get something that would attach to the center of the wheel, like how some cars had this little adapter for the wire wheel covers. But I like your idea a lot better. Also might as well use button head screws to attach the wheel cover, they will be more aerodynamic and will look better anyway.

[elhigh]

Unless you're running four- or six-lug wheels, won't this throw your wheel balance off? That's adding a lot of extra metal. I know it's close to the axis, but still.

[ttoyoda]

That was my first thought when I read the initial post. Make sure to get it in grade 8. If you use plain old grade 2, you will be asking for problems.

That is a good point. It is a lot easier to buy high strength nuts than it is to calculate what strength you really need, since you need to make a lot of assumptions about what loads the lug nuts really do see..

Maybe you could buy those very long acorn head lug nuts, and drill and tap the top end.. That way you have the taper seat, the correct threads, the right strength steel, even chrome..

There is a whole mess of choices here, and they seem inexpensive..
Sherco Auto Supply

[Red]

Any thoughts of just finding a really long stud instead of a coupler?

[trikkonceptz]

First, it shouldn't affect the wheel balance because it really isn't going on as part of the wheel. I got the inspiration from the spinner wheels and static rim designs. As far as acorn nuts, they do sell long ones and the cap end does pop off exposing the additional threading that is left all the way up the nut. I will get with my wheel supplier on Monday to see if he can give me some so I can do initial experiments with them.

TO be honest though, wheel lugs are not grade 8 I know that for sure ...

Look at that, we just created an awesome inexpensive mod ... LOL