This spring I swapped the road wheels with radials that were on my 64 Riv and put on the standard steel wheels with radials that had been on my 64 Electra. I also installed a set of the spoke hubcaps. The first time out with the Riv I had a temporary vibration that went away when the road conditions changed. The next time out, on the right front wheel, I had a lug nut come completely off, one was almost off, and the rest loose. I tightened them up and came home. I just checked all 4 wheels and they all had loose lugnuts, including the one that I had retightened the last time out. The trip home was only about 5 miles. I'm guessing wheel flex from the radials and with the caps being really stiff it is transferring to the lug nuts?????? I never had a problem when these tires/wheels were on my Electra with standard 64 Electra hubcaps. Any ideas? I'm almost afraid to drive it until I get this thing figured out. Larry
Are you sure the wheel is properly seated against the hub. Since these came off another car, you might want to check for interference around the brakes and axle. I'm not very familiar with the big cars, so I don't know what will interchange. Make sure you are tightening them with the wheel off the ground. Also, use a torque wrench, don't just guess. Should be 75 lb.-ft. for full size cars I believe. I seriously doubt the tires have anything to do with it. They are supposed to flex, all tires do, even bias plys.
What Darrensaid. And I'll add: if the rims really do fit correctly, then use loc-tite on each lug and you'll be OK. Let the loc-tite set overnight so there are no questions as to whether it is set or not.
All 64 Big cars including the Riv used a 3 1/2" center opening, changed in 65. The wheels are correct, tightened correctly and flush to the drum. If it was one I could write it off to being distracted by my 3 year old while changing them over and forgetting to tighten one while it was back on the ground. But when all 4 had loose lug nuts it make me wonder. I may put the spoke cap back one one, the bolt on on another and leave the back bare and take if for a little drive and see what happens. Larry
