Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **Classic Finn** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 6:21 am

Im wondering if the hubs on the Kit Axle can be changed and if so what kind of a job is this. Id like to be able to change them to use a more modern wheel if its possible :thinking:

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by **Shadow Catcher** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 7:04 am

Why not change the axle and preserve the original. This harkens back to why restore something to begin with, if you are going to replace all the parts.
One alternative would be to get wheel adapters and new rims, but then you run into strength issues.
How about some idea of what and why you are running into? Pictures!

by **Classic Finn** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 7:22 am

Shadow Catcher wrote:Why not change the axle and preserve the original. This harkens back to why restore something to begin with, if you are going to replace all the parts.
One alternative would be to get wheel adapters and new rims, but then you run into strength issues.
How about some idea of what and why you are running into? Pictures!

Hey there my far away friend. I was thinking of it this morning when I was looking at some rims. Its not a must but the fact of not being able to get hub caps to fit this set up is driving me nuts. :lol:

The original axle has been restored to the fullest.

Like brand new. Sealed and packed proper.

See how the center sticks out? I could get the entire things solved by installing hub caps such as Babe Moons :lol:

which I really like.

Would longer nut bolts work on the hub with a spacer maybe? in order to get the hubcaps to fit proper? The center sticks out about 3 inches +

But then I run into another problem.. spacers or adapters are illegal here.

by **Shadow Catcher** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:40 am

I am not a fan of spacers as they put the stress further out on the axle, hence the reason they are outlawed (sensible 'for a change' government regulation). Instead of trying to move the wheel how about doing an adapter to move the baby moon further out from the wheel.
Or go with spider caps hub centers (attach to wheel bolts) and a cutout moon to accommodate them.
Look to having them custom made by a company that spin forms metal.
Buy a SS salad bowl and adapt to fit.
OK I am out of hair brained ideas, go forth in creativity!

by **Classic Finn** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 9:07 am

Shadow Catcher wrote:I am not a fan of spacers as they put the stress further out on the axle, hence the reason they are outlawed (sensible 'for a change' government regulation). Instead of trying to move the wheel how about doing an adapter to move the baby moon further out from the wheel.
Or go with spider caps hub centers (attach to wheel bolts) and a cutout moon to accommodate them.
Look to having them custom made by a company that spin forms metal.
Buy a SS salad bowl and adapt to fit.
OK I am out of hair brained ideas, go forth in creativity!

Hah! I just spoke with a friend of mine that said he could spin a set of covers for it..what telepathy of ideas. As said here that 2 heads are better than one at times.

I,ll let you know as how it turns out. Thank you for your replies and advice. :thumbsup:

You meant this kind correct?

by **doug hodder** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 9:16 am

Heikki...where did you find the Spider hubs that you have in pic 1 on your album? Yup, those ones...The ones I found were pretty high dollar! On yours...those wheels appear to be a smoothie cap, as opposed to a baby moon. Baby moons go over, smoothies fit inside. Are the dimples for the cap on the inside of the hub dished area or on the outside? Doug

by **Classic Finn** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 10:13 am

doug hodder wrote:Heikki...where did you find the Spider hubs that you have in pic 1 on your album? Yup, those ones...The ones I found were pretty high dollar! On yours...those wheels appear to be a smoothie cap, as opposed to a baby moon. Baby moons go over, smoothies fit inside. Are the dimples for the cap on the inside of the hub dished area or on the outside? Doug

Hello Doug. A pleasure to hear from you.

Spider hubs I found here:

http://www.classiccargoodies.com/catalo ... 3/Hub_Caps

Scroll down almost to the bottom you,ll see them.

Umm :oops:

let me check on them dimples Im not sure.

Doug on the front of the Kit there was a spare tire holder which was removed due to too much towbar weight and here they are very strict with it. Well when I removed the entire wheel off I presume its as you say a Smoothie Hub on the spare which fits perfectly. As on our tear. It will fit on ALL wheels when off the axle.

When mounted the hub center pertrudes out about 3 inches and then of course they dont fit at all. It came with 2 Bullet type hubcaps which are not chrome but some sort of plastic or rather light metal since rust has completely rotted them.

What if I can polish up the grease cover to a high polish shine and get some nice chrome lug nuts for it???? :thinking:

This would make it look better than it does now.. I know Im Finnicky. :lol:

Or are there other wheels that would do the trick automatically? With the same pattern? Could this be a deep dish or reversible type wheel? Im not sure or no expert thats why Im asking. And I know Doug you are the Wizard in problem solving and coming up with great ideas near and far.. :thumbsup:

by **doug hodder** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 11:22 am

I'm kinda in the same situation with the wheels on the Nomad. I'd like some moons or dog dish caps on it, but it's a funky dimension, an old one and there are no re-pop caps made for it now, it falls right in between what is being manufactured. I put some trim rings on the painted wheels, chrome caps and a metallic silver sprayed on the hub for now. I can't complain...the wheels were free.

Those spider caps are nice...but they are proud of them for sure. I've been trying to find a push through chrome center cap, but no luck, it's just under 3" dia on the wheel center. I'll probably hit up my nephew for a newer set of wheels that I can get caps for and just paint them up. He's got the tire mounting/balancing equipment so I won't be out any dough, except on the paint. Doug

by **Classic Finn** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 11:29 am

doug hodder wrote:I'm kinda in the same situation with the wheels on the Nomad. I'd like some moons or dog dish caps on it, but it's a funky dimension, an old one and there are no re-pop caps made for it now, it falls right in between what is being manufactured. I put some trim rings on the painted wheels, chrome caps and a metallic silver sprayed on the hub for now. I can't complain...the wheels were free. Doug

Im going down to our USA Auto Parts with the wheels in my arms. Im so curious and eager to solve this its driving me nuts. :lol:

Or I,ll hook up the Kit to our car and temp lights to show them the entire set up :lol:

Here,s the link to our one and only place and wheels they have in stock.

http://www.usparts.fi/?page=59#109 when you open the pdf. Vannehinnasto is price of wheels just for your info.

by **Classic Finn** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 5:41 pm

Here you can see what Im talking about. God I wish the hub could fit onto the main axle as nicely. Id love that.

Also if anyone has any pics of this tear at any gatherings Id sure love to see them. :worship:

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