IRS spindle/hub question

[AA-ron]

I'm at the point where I'm installing the IRS on my roadster. The manual says to remove the Mustang lugs and install the ones included in my wheel kit--and it says I should do this on a bench. Well.... my wheel kit is POL and I don't have the lugs so I'm wondering if I can go ahead and install the spindle/hub assembly and replace the lugs when they come in? Or is that a huge issue, trying to do them while installed on the car?

[haak60]

way easier in a vise. mine went in hard, used a ball joint press in a vise

[FF33rod]

Banging the old ones out is best done on the bench. However, putting the new ones in with the hub/spindle on the car is doable. Probably easier on the bench so you can use the vise to hold it from rotating, etc.

Steve

[JohnK]

Dorman 610-290 lugs are the correct replacement lugs for the IRS. They're available at Summit for $21 (https://www.summitracing.com/parts/rnb-610-290) if you want to swap them out without waiting for your wheel kit to arrive.

[Jeff_J.]

I'm a new builder. I was at that point not that long ago but had all the parts. I'd suggest to do the stud removal off chassis for sure, I tried installing the new studs on my bench vise but couldn't muster the torque required to draw them in. I took the hub and studs to my local mechanic who used a press he had all of them in in 10 minutes. This was my direction since I don't have the more substantial tools others have. The holidays are coming...

[CraigS]

Studs are pretty easy to install if you have an air impact wrench and a deep 3/4 or 13/16 socket. Get 3 or 4 hardened steel washers ( they are usually in the Grade 8 bolt and nut section) some wheel bearing grease and a couple of standard lugnuts.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/rnb-611-027
A standard 1/2-20 nut will work but I recommend this style because they are generally a little taller than a plain nut so you get extra thread engagement. Stick the stud in the flange, grease the entire stud including the splines and all the threads. Slip your 3 well greased washers and lug nut (upside down so the flat side is against the washers) on the stud. Snug it up and then hit it w/ the impact wrench. It will take 10-20-30 seconds to pull the stud into position. So you have time to get a feel for how it sounds and, when the sound changes, you are most likely done. Before each new stud install assure that the nut will go on and turn easily by hand. If the nut has been damaged trash it and grab a new one.

[Hoooper]

Im not sure you can actually get the studs into the back of the hub with the hub on the spindle, can you? For some reason I recall the hub needing to come off the spindle to get the studs in anyway

[Tooth]

Do it off the car, and use a press. I had a bunch of people tell me that, but I was stubborn. Fortunately a buddy of mine has a press. Air impact wrench and the lug installer tool was not cutting it.

[JohnK]

More than one way to skin this cat. Air impact wrench worked just fine for me. As already stated, use a grade 8 nut, hardened washers and some grease, and an impact wrench will pull them in just fine. Grind a little flat on the head of the new lugs to avoid them rubbing on the rubber seal.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=101403&d=1548778083

[k-roy]

Somewhat surprised that you don't have the lug bolts. I received my kit just after yours (completed 9/10), and have the bolts. The wheels, the lug nuts, and all the accessories are on my POL, but the actual bolts were in a different box. If you look at the picture, the bolts were located in the orange box.

I would recommend doing it OFF the vehicle. As you can see, I am in the middle of trying to switch out my lugs now. It is a pain. I tried with a 1 8 V impact wrench, but it does not have the torque needed to do it. If I hit the bolts with a 5 pound hammer, then use my cordless impact wrench, then hammer it again, I can slowly move the bolt in place. I put a few marks on the hub from my vice as I hammered it. So I stopped. You can compare a bolt that isn't in (front) from the one I worked an hour on (back). Plan on taking the hub to my friend's house to use his pneumatic impact wrench. Hopefully that works. If not, I will take it to a wheel shop and have them pressed on (the shop was very interested in my build).

Good luck

173845

By the way, went and bought a 1/2"-20 lug nut from the local autopart store that fits.