How to install and maintain knock-off adapters  (that they buy IIRC) from MWS)
 

A. Clean Hubs:

Remove present wheels from car and make sure that all dirt and grime is removed from face of hubs and brake drums. Inspect hubs and brake drums for any obstructions, (lock clips, rivets, balancing weights, etc.). Remove or resolve any obstruction which prevents a flush fit between the adapter and axle hub.

B. Install Adapters:

Check stud length - 1 1/8 inch maximum length allowed. If too long, use spacer behind adapter or cut off stud.   To install adapters correctly, place hub adapter marked left and with white plastic mesh protective covering on left side of car.   Hub adapter marked right and with red plastic mesh protective covering must be installed on right side of car when seated in car.  THIS IS IMPORTANT, DO NOT INSTALL ANY OTHER WAY.

After hub adapters have been placed on hubs, be sure that adapter's flange fits flat against hub and brake drum face.   If there is any interference, point of contact must be found and any high point removed.   If this is not done, wheels will not run true when installed.

Webmaster note: Make sure the surfaces are absolutely clean and use a light coating of anti-seizxe compound on the surfaces and the nuts.

If adapters fit properly, continue installation with the following procedure:

1.Under no circumstances should high powered impact wrenches be used to secure lug nuts, as this can cause adapter damage and can result in improper lug-nut torque.

2. Do not lubricate the lug nuts or stud threads.

3. Run all lugs up fully before tightening

4.Tighten all lug nuts using a criss-cross pattern to assure the even distribution of pressure while tightening the lug nuts.

 TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

 LUG NUT SIZE                          TORQUE/ FT. LBS.
         3/8"                                                 45
        7/16"                                                60
         1/2"                                                 70
      12mm                                                 75
      14mm                                                 85

6.Remove plastic wire mesh protective covering from thread of adapter.

7.Apply thin coating of grease to threads of adapter.  Also place thin coating of grease on taper or bevel on back of knock-off and in knock-off cap threads.   Keep dirt away from knock-off cap threads.

N.B. Please note that all spline adapters are stamped someplace with an "L" or an "R" to differentiate between Left and Right.  These letters can be very, very small, but are, nonetheless, on each adpater. From Lenn  Nelsen

C.Fit Wheels:

Place wheels on adapters and push wheel firmly toward the back of the adapter. When the rear of the wheel center is sitting on the back of the adapter, rock the wheel so that the saw-tooth drive engages completely.   The wheel drive must seat firmly on the adapter drive for proper installation. Do not use wheels or adapters if teeth become worn down.

D.Thread On Cap:

Thread knock-off caps on the adapter.  Markings on caps indicate proper tightening direction.   "Left side" marked caps must be used on the left side of car and "Right side" marked caps must be used on the right side.

E.Tighten Caps:

While car is still on jacks, drive the knock-off caps up tight.   If using  2-eared or 3-eared knock-off caps, use lead hammer provided. Octagon caps should be driven up using wrench and lead hammer. Wrench tightening alone  is not sufficient.

F.Test:

Spin wheels by hand to make sure there is no rubbing against brake calipers.  Also, rock wheel assembly to verify that the knock-off cap has seated completely in the wheel.   No looseness should be noticable.

G. Retighten Caps:

Lower the car and hammer the caps until they will not move with even the hardest blow of the hammer.   After the car has been run 25 miles, be sure to re-check the knock-off caps for tightness.   The wheels seat themselves on  the adapters after the initial run-in and knock-off caps can be tightened further.

THIS IS IMPORTANT.   Knock-off caps must be very tight to prevent wear.  Continue to tighten knock-off caps every 100 miles for the first 500 miles. Then check tightness every few weeks.  WIRE WHEELS should always be  checked for tightness of knock-off caps regularly.

Webmaster note: Considering the torque involved here. I strongly suggest you carefully clean and regrease the splines on the adaptor, the splines in the rim hub and the threads of the spinner itself EACH time you remove them. A bit of dirt in there can lead to seizing.

H.Balancing Tires:

The best method to balance wire wheels is by spin balancing on the car. Recommended is an Alemite type balancer utilizing a strobe light with vibration pick up.

Note: Rotating radial tires to the opposite side of the car will create vibrations which cannot be balanced out.

I.Maintenance:

To maintain the beauty of your Dayton Wire Wheels, refer to the sheet titled "Recommended Care for Chrome Plated Dayton Wire Wheels", which is included in the box of each wheel.