The Ford Barn

aboneskd · 08-03-2021, 12:34 AM

I am running 16” Kelsey Hayes wheels on early Ford hydraulic brakes. My question is, do I need to use spacers between the wheels and the drums? I have heard both ways. I would like to hear your ideas and why. Thanks.

Randy in ca · 08-03-2021, 03:03 AM

Yes, either of two types of spacers are available and should be used. The hydraulic drums have no raised backing surface on the inside of the hub bolts (as do the earlier drums) and the basic act of tightening the nuts puts significant stress on the wheel with potential cracking. Discussed several times in previous threads, mostly on the Early V8 forum.

aboneskd · 08-03-2021, 09:38 AM

Thanks Randy. I have the spacers and will put them on. Appreciate your explanation. I was/am a little concerned of having less stud length for the lug nuts to utilize.

johnneilson · 08-03-2021, 09:47 AM

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abone,

I had a similar problem where I wanted the wheel inboard as far as possible to avoid fender clearance issues.

I made the step rings only and epoxied them to the drum itself. Once the wheel is clamped they have no issues. You only have to be careful when taking wheel on and off.

This saved the amount of offset of the flange.

John

08-03-2021, 12:34 AM	#1
aboneskd Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 12	Kelsey Hayes wheels on hydraulic brakes. I am running 16” Kelsey Hayes wheels on early Ford hydraulic brakes. My question is, do I need to use spacers between the wheels and the drums? I have heard both ways. I would like to hear your ideas and why. Thanks.

08-03-2021, 03:03 AM	#2
Randy in ca Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,644	Re: Kelsey Hayes wheels on hydraulic brakes. Yes, either of two types of spacers are available and should be used. The hydraulic drums have no raised backing surface on the inside of the hub bolts (as do the earlier drums) and the basic act of tightening the nuts puts significant stress on the wheel with potential cracking. Discussed several times in previous threads, mostly on the Early V8 forum.

08-03-2021, 09:38 AM	#3
aboneskd Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 12	Re: Kelsey Hayes wheels on hydraulic brakes. Thanks Randy. I have the spacers and will put them on. Appreciate your explanation. I was/am a little concerned of having less stud length for the lug nuts to utilize.

08-03-2021, 09:47 AM	#4
johnneilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 34.22 N 118.36 W Posts: 1,056	Re: Kelsey Hayes wheels on hydraulic brakes. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) abone, I had a similar problem where I wanted the wheel inboard as far as possible to avoid fender clearance issues. I made the step rings only and epoxied them to the drum itself. Once the wheel is clamped they have no issues. You only have to be careful when taking wheel on and off. This saved the amount of offset of the flange. John __________________ As Carroll Smith wrote; All Failures are Human in Origin.