The Dodge Challenger Message Board

Just got back from the mechanic's shop investigating a slight front wheel wobble. Apparently my Cragar SS Wheels (which incidentally were made Jan 31/2001) are not seating properly on the brake drums and I require a, "Spacer Plate" and longer studs for better grab and wheel fit. He also says replacing front drum brake studs can be a bit tricky. Does anyone have/had a a similar situation/problem and advice on a good solution? Would a universal spacer plate work on a 72 with 10" Drum Brakes.

Totally off topic, I was following the thread that got off on a bit of a tangent about US VS Brit engineering, I am Proud Canadian of British Heritage and live close to the US Boarder. Quite frankly I don't care where good engineering/technology comes from. I am also pleasantly surprised and impressed that there is such a dedicated following of the Dodge Challenger in the UK/Europe.

Sorry Dave did I just break any rules?

No Ron.
Ignore that stuff in the other thread. We are just having a laugh.

Now your problem.
I do not see why a wheel of any sort would need a spacer plate. In fact if you use a spacer plate you can alter the front geometry and I think I remember reading somewhere that you can do some damage like that.

Is the wheel the correct backspace etc?

What is stopping it sitting flush down on your drum?

I can also tell you that changing the studs is not a problem. I did it on my car to fit RH thread on the drivers side (was LH thread in 1970)

I would get a second opinion if I was you. Also try contacting the manufacturer.

Spacer plates are bad news, lug nuts loosen as they squish, they increase bearing wear considerably and cause bad load problems on the studs. Avoid them at all costs there will be a logical solution there somewhere, thinking about it, if the wheel wont fit snug to the drum, won't the spacer have the same problem??

They say a picture is worth a 1000 words, I will attempt to describe the situation with a fraction of those words.

Dave, perhaps you are right in that the rim backspace is to large in diameter. The drum has a raised outer lip with fins that radiate from the front to the rear of the drum. I presume they are to increase surface area for better heat dissipation. The outer area of the rim that secures the rim to the drum is riding on the inside angle of this lip and not flush on the drum creating a space between the the rim and the drum face.

Alex/Dave/Anybody , if a spacer plate is not a good option to, "Fill the Gap" would it be possible to have the outer drum lip machined to allow clearance for the rim to fit flush on the drum? I figure about a 1/4 inch would probably be enough.

Fins on the drum dont sound right to me, I remember there were spring type things on mine but not fins, sure the drums are correct?

There is fins on the rear drums. I can't remember what the front drums were like. I don't remember fins on those but the spring around the outside rings a bell. I tossed the old drums out last year so I can't check.

In any case if cutting the fins back will sort you out that would be the best way to do it.

However it does seem strange because normally the back of a wheel has a raised ring that sits on the drum and no other part of the wheel should contact the drum. It sounds to me like the wheels are not right for the car.