Cragar SS wheels - unilug?

SadbutTrue

Founding Member

May 1, 2002

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Granada Hills, California

Feb 11, 2004

#1

• Feb 11, 2004

• #1

I was told by someone on another board not to use Cragar SS wheels because they are "unilug" and are tough to get aligned and maintain that alignment. First... a "unilug" (taken literally as one lug) doesn't seem to make sense , and second is any of that true?

Need to know that, cause I plan on picking up some Cragars in the future.

PS - For a 65-66, 4.5" backspacing on a 15 x 7/8 inch rim is optimal, right?

 

66 BLAKE 96

Native Texican

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Feb 16, 2001

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Feb 11, 2004

#2

• Feb 11, 2004

• #2

First of all, not all Cragars are Uni-Lug. Second, "Uni" stands for "universal" as washers around the lugs can be flipped around, thereby fitting Chebby and Ford lug patterns. My Torq Thrustish wheels are Uni-Lugs, and I have had absolutely zero issues with alignment.

 

groovyash

Ask me about my chemically burned nipples!

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#3

• Feb 11, 2004

• #3

Blake pretty much nailed it. I tend to be extra carefull of the torque on unilug wheels, but since they've been used on about 10,000,000 cars over the past 40 years I'd say alignment and wheel-offs are not a significant problem.

Dan

 

pabear89

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Apr 15, 2003

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High in the Hills of So Ca with the Voices in My H

Feb 11, 2004

#4

• Feb 11, 2004

• #4

SadbutTrue said:

I was told by someone on another board not to use Cragar SS wheels because they are "unilug" and are tough to get aligned and maintain that alignment. First... a "unilug" (taken literally as one lug) doesn't seem to make sense , and second is any of that true?

Need to know that, cause I plan on picking up some Cragars in the future.

PS - For a 65-66, 4.5" backspacing on a 15 x 7/8 inch rim is optimal, right?

Click to expand...

I have been using Crager SS wheels for many years.
The Biggest problem with them is not many Tire Monkeys know how to install them correctly.

When you are putting on the lugs,you MUST hand tighten them togeather as the washers will turn and then you bend them.
Snug the lugs as you hold the wheel centered and watch the washer alingment to the wheel, when all are tightly snugged and washers are flat to the wheel,then tork the lugs to proper setting.

PB

 

J

John Z

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Feb 11, 2004

#5

• Feb 11, 2004

• #5

pabear89 said:

When you are putting on the lugs,you MUST hand tighten them togeather as the washers will turn and then you bend them.
Snug the lugs as you hold the wheel centered and watch the washer alingment to the wheel, when all are tightly snugged and washers are flat to the wheel,then tork the lugs to proper setting.

PB

Click to expand...

This would pretty much eliminate allowing anyone at a tire store from installing wheels. I've never seen them do anything but zap each lug on to full torque with an air wrench. Could be the reason for the bad wrap on the unilug. It's not the part's fault that installers don't know/care.

 

SadbutTrue

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May 1, 2002

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Feb 11, 2004

#6

• Feb 11, 2004

• #6

John Z said:

This would pretty much eliminate allowing anyone at a tire store from installing wheels. I've never seen them do anything but zap each lug on to full torque with an air wrench. Could be the reason for the bad wrap on the unilug. It's not the part's fault that installers don't know/care.

Click to expand...

Good point John... I was planning on installing them myself, so no issues. This is good. Thanks guys.

 

M

my66coupe

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Apr 30, 2002

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Arizona fountain hills

Feb 11, 2004

#7

• Feb 11, 2004

• #7

Im runnin cragar ss unilug, and yea like the others said, you will need the washers and tighten them by hand soo they all align up. I bought my cragars for 150 on ebay and my washers with lugs for 20.

Mike

 

3

302RWP

New Member

Feb 8, 2004

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Northern California

Feb 12, 2004

#8

• Feb 12, 2004

• #8

not to be repetitive but you should tighten them by hand first. it was kinda tough at first to allign them but you get used to it

 

T

toddman0025

New Member

Aug 2, 2006

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Oct 8, 2006

#9

• Oct 8, 2006

• #9

I just got a set of SS wheels - what's the difference between the center and offcenter washers? Which ones would be correct for a '69 Mustang?

 

P

palerider94

Member

Feb 21, 2006

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Oct 9, 2006

#10

• Oct 9, 2006

• #10

Summit racing has the best price - got my there no problems. For a 1970 the washers I have were off center.

 

T

truck90278

New Member

Jun 4, 2006

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Redondo Beach, CA

Oct 9, 2006

#11

• Oct 9, 2006

• #11

We had the SS unilugs with no problems for alignment. Just have to watch the installers and double check that the washers are on correctly. the washers state which side to mount toward the wheel, unfortunately some people can't read.