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StangRacer
06-04-2025, 09:59 PM
Have you all had difficulty installing your pin drive wheels over the pins?

I had been meaning to order the Trigo alignment tool but when I went to order the other day, I found Trigo is closed until the end of the month. I had researched this issue and found Russ Thompson mentioned using a piece of tubing slid over the pins to persuade them into position. I found some folks would machine a taper on the pins and chamfer the edge of the pin holes in the wheels. I reached out to Mike Bray to find out how he had gone about solving the issue. I mentioned to Mike my intention of ordering the Trigo alignment tool... Mike was kind enough to email a sketch drawing to me with all the specs to make the tool. Mike has been a HUGE help not only with this issue but also how to correctly assemble the front suspension for pin drives and other discussions such as 37 degree flares with nicopp tubing...

I emailed Mike's drawing to a buddy of mine who has a CNC milling machine in his garage. I was about to order an aluminum disc from McMaster when my buddy called me and said he has a couple of old .750 wheel spacers and suggested we try to modify the wheel spacer before ordering the aluminum.

Mike suggested putting 2-3 3/16 threaded holes in the tool in case I had to "jack" the tool off the hub. My buddy cut the holes in the tool with a .010 tolerance...

To use the alignment tool, I get the pins finger tight and start the tool over the pins. I then use the butt end of a hammer and work the tool until it is fully seated on the hub. Tighten the pins down then use the 3/16 screws to jack the tool off the hub.

The wheels slide on with practically no effort. Prior to using the alignment tool, I couldn't get the wheels to seat on the hub with more than three pins installed. With all five pins installed the wheels wouldn't even start over the pins at all...

Another big thanks to Mike!!!

214651

rich grsc
06-05-2025, 07:54 AM
I have no idea what your having issues with???? Have never had any trouble installing my wheels & tires.

Mike.Bray
06-05-2025, 09:26 AM
I have no idea what your having issues with???? Have never had any trouble installing my wheels & tires.

Are you running pin drive wheels Rich? Getting the pins perfectly aligned with the holes in the wheels is a challenge.

214654

rich grsc
06-05-2025, 10:08 AM
Yes I run pin drive, and no I haven't had any difficulties

Jeff Kleiner
06-05-2025, 10:12 AM
Yes I run pin drive, and no I haven't had any difficulties

I can verify...I had the wheels on and off of Rich's car several times without issues while doing the body and paint.

Jeff

Mike.Bray
06-05-2025, 11:14 AM
Yes I run pin drive, and no I haven't had any difficulties

I've had several pin drive wheels including Trigo on my first Cobra and a few sets I made myself. I never had an issue either until I got these American Racing ones from Vintage Wheels. I'm not sure what's going on but just bolting the adapter on with the pins doesn't work, they are not aligned close enough for the wheel to fit. I took measurement with calipers and basically the pins were all pointing in different directions. I tweaked them into close position with my 5lb lead persuader to where I could get the wheels on. After a couple hundred miles of driving the wheels appear to self-align the pins as now my wheels come off and go on with ease. Not quite F1 pitstop ease but close :)

It is interesting Trigo sell a pin alignment tool so this must not be a new problem.

Mike_T
06-05-2025, 11:42 AM
I have a ton of anti-seize on my pins, hubs and spinners. I've found the trick is grab the outside of the tire and rock back and forth.

rich grsc
06-05-2025, 12:17 PM
I have Vintage Wheel pin drive. It must be an issue with the wheel???

Mike.Bray
06-05-2025, 01:22 PM
I have Vintage Wheel pin drive. It must be an issue with the wheel???

That's what I thought at first but I measured the wheels and the BC was perfect, equally spaced fine, and the holes were on size so no issue I could fine with the wheel. As I mentioned the pins (studs) were the issue and had to be tweaked into position. They were not parallel with the axle CL but on a slight angle. For obvious reasons there's not much clearance between the pin and the hole in the wheel so the pins must be in the correct place to line up.

StangRacer
06-05-2025, 10:02 PM
I have Vintage Wheel pin drive. It must be an issue with the wheel???

My buddy did offer to take my wheels and hubs to work with him and scan them on a blue arm. Considering there is a .020 tolerance between the pins and pin drive holes and the hubs themselves and the center hole of the wheel I didn't think it was really necessary...

My buddy called today and told me he printed an alignment tool out of carbon reinforced plastic. He is going to bring it by sometime this weekend to see if it works as well as the aluminum version just out of curiosity...

rich grsc
06-06-2025, 07:19 AM
Did you properly tighten & torque the pins when installing them? I go in 2 stages, skipping every other one, 1-3-5-2-4

Mike.Bray
06-06-2025, 08:40 AM
Did you properly tighten & torque the pins when installing them? I go in 2 stages, skipping every other one, 1-3-5-2-4

Of course I did, in a star pattern as I was taught 50 years ago.

rich grsc
06-06-2025, 08:54 AM
Mike, I'm sure you did, I know you're well versed on such things. My question was more directed to StangRacer and as a general question.