Wheel Adapters and Spacers Installation Guide

WARNING: PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATION STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!!

IMPROPER INSTALLATION CAN CAUSE YOUR WHEEL AND TIRE TO COME LOOSE

AND FALL OFF RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH!!

Adapter Fit Check

WARNING

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MODIFY THE ADAPTER. NEVER REMOVE FACTORY INSTALLED STUDS OR USE AN IMPACT WRENCH.

Before mounting adapters, and prior to performing a fit check, you must confirm that the bolt circle of the adapters match the bolt circle of the vehicle, and that of the rims you want to install. If they are correct, proceed with the fit check and installation. If they are not correct, contact us to assist in resolving the fitment problem.

Next, perform an adapter fit check at each wheel mounting location using the following steps:

1. Remove front wheels from vehicle.

2. Wire brush the wheel mounting surface and threaded studs on vehicle.

3. Remove spring clip retainers, if applicable.

4. Hold the Adapter on the hub and check for a flush mount of the adapter to the mounting surface of the vehicle. The back side of the adapter must not rest or touch brake drum balancing weights, any brake caliper, suspension component, rivets or other obstructions. The mounting surface of the Adapter must fit flush to the vehicle’s hub mounting surface. Note that removing drum balancing weights to solve fitment problem can result in vehicle vibration not remedied by an off-the-car wheel balancer.

SPRING CLIP RETAINERS ARE OFTEN OVERLOOKED AND MUST BE REMOVED. If clips or other obstructions are not removed, they will not let the Adapter sit flush against the mounting surface. This will give you a false torque reading which could cause the fasteners to become loose and result in loss of an adapter and wheel. Some vehicle manufacturers do not use spring clip retainers and use nuts that hold the brake assembly together. DO NOT REMOVE THESE NUTS.

5. Install three fasteners finger tight and rotate the adapter to check caliper and suspension clearance and to find bent flanges or axles.

6. Perform the same check for the remaining three adapters on the vehicle, starting in the rear.

7. Next bolt a wheel onto an adapter and check for clearances of the wheel in regards to the brake calipers, suspension components, and fenders. Repeat this for the remaining 3 wheels.

WARNING

2-Part adapters like the 5lug to 6lug adapters must assemble so that they fit flat and flush together. Many times, especially on trucks and SUV’s it is necessary to cut or trim your vehicle studs so that the two plates mount flat and flush together. Failure to do so will result in the adapter failing. The wheel will come loose and fall off the vehicle causing damage or injury.

The wheels must mount flat and flush against the adapter face. Check to make sure the vehicle studs and the fastening nuts do not protrude above the face of the adapter and obstruct the wheel from mounting flat and flush. If this happens, you may have to cut or grind the studs and or lugs or replace them all to allow for a safe installation.

Adapter and Wheel Installation

1. Clean and inspect all stud threads and mounting surfaces b e f o re installation. THREADS MUST NOT BE L U B R I C AT E D, but must be free of corrosion, rust, burrs, fractures and damaged threads. Replace studs if they are corroded, stripped, damaged, or if any fractures are found. Always use new fasteners (lug nuts or lug bolts) when installing new adapters and/or wheels.

2 . Be certain the fasteners are correct for the application. It is critical that the fastener matches the thread diameter, pitch and seat; otherwise the installation will be improper, and may result in damage and could cause a dangerous condition. The basic types of fasteners are: conical seat (60° taper “acorn” and “bulge”), mag or shank style, and spherical or ball seat. Shown below is a drawing of each type in its proper application.

The “seat” means the area on the wheel where the fastener will clamp down.

WARNING

ONLY USE THE TYPE OF FASTENER COMPATIBLE WITH THE TYPE OF SEAT. Never use a conical seat fastener on a mag or shank type seat. Spherical or ball seat fasteners must be used with spherical or ball seats. Never use a mag or shank type fastener on a conical seat. The different types are not compatible and, if installed incorrectly, the fastener may lose torque, possibly resulting in wheel loss.

3. When placing the adapter and/or wheel on the studs, there may be an apparent looseness of fit until the fasteners are applied.

WARNING

4. Check thread engagement. Every stud or bolt must be long enough to thread a length at least equal to the stud or bolt diameter. For example, a 1/2” thread diameter must thread into the lug nut at least 1/2”. Check for this problem on every stud; some may be different lengths. Less than one stud thread diameter engagement is unsafe and will cause loss of torque. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE PROPER THREAD ENGAGEMENT, DO NOT INSTALL ADAPTERS OR WHEELS.

WARNING

5. Do not allow a lug nut to bottom out on the stud or a mag shank or lug bolt to bottom out on the mounting surface. This is extremely dangerous and unsafe because the clamping force of the fastener is not being applied to the adapter or wheel. Check for these problems on every stud, some may be different lengths. IF YOU FIND A PROBLEM; DO NOT INSTALL THE ADAPTERS OR WHEELS.

WARNING

6. Never use fewer fasteners than the adapter or wheel and vehicle was designed for. If the wheel has 5 holes, then use 5 fasteners.

7. Fasteners must be tightened in a star or crisscross pattern to ensure uniform pressure and alignment. Apply torque evenly by repeating the star or crisscross pattern until desired torque is reached. Shown below is the numerical sequence.

During installation, gravity causes the adapter and/or wheel to rest upon the highest stud. If the adapter and/or wheel is clamped down off - center, it can be dangerous and damaging to your wheels and tires over time. Do not allow the adapter and/or wheel to “hang” on the studs during the initial tightening; make certain they are centered and supported prior to tightening fasteners.

8. A CALIBRATED TORQUE DEVICE MUST BE USED TO ACHIEVE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.

9. Use Original Equipment Manufacturer’s torque specification. If it is not specified in the vehicle owner’s manual contact the vehicle manufacturer. If the Original Equipment Manufacturer does not provide a specification, check with the aftermarket wheel manufacturer for a specification. In the event that neither the vehicle manufacturer nor the aftermarket wheel manufacturer give you the specification, the following may serve as a guideline for passenger cars and light-trucks only:

STUD TORQUE

Diameter Range (FT/LBS.)

12mm: 75-85 ft-lbs

14mm:90-100 ft-lbs

7/16 inch: 70-80 ft-lbs

½ inch: 75-85 ft-lbs

9/16 inch:105-115 ft-lbs

Black Bolts on 2-pc adapters: 45-50 ft-lbs

WARNING

Fasteners should be re-torqued within approximately 25 miles. Re-torquing must be done any time the fasteners are removed for any reason. It is also a good idea to check and re-torque all lug nuts and bolts every 3000-4000 miles. When doing oil change or rotate tires it is a good time to check adapters.

Use Blue Loc-Tite or Thread Locker on all Lug Nuts and Bolts.