Wheels: like '57, like '05

[Lindy]

Here is an interesting trivial comparison: When I was first looking for an '05 Thunderbird, I originally wanted to have one with the chrome wheels. I was going to change them when I bought my '05, but the sixteen-spokers grew on me. Only recently I noticed that the 16 spokers are an imitation, or even better, an actualization of the imitation spokes upon the 57 Thunderbird wheel covers. An excellent thought by the designers at FoMoCo. Don't you think so?

[Leroy]

Re: Wheels: like '57, like '05

Yes, I agree. The 16 spoke wheels were a must have when I was shopping for my Bird, I liked them the best. Now, 3 years later, I've only seen one wheel on these cars that I like better and it's the Wire wheels, pure class. Leroy

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[THX1138]

Re: Wheels: like '57, like '05

I think I ran out of money and can't swing the price of the wire wheels. If I could, I would get the wire wheels with 55 series tires and keep the chrome wheels and 50 series for a change of pace. I have a floor jack, compressor and impact wrench, so changing every so often is no problem. I guess I'll have to set up a "get me wire wheels" foundation, and see if there are any very charitable Birders out there to help a poor guy with his addiction to Thunderbird accessories. The wires look great on these cars, especially if you have the time to keep them clean.

[snowbird]

Re: Wheels: like '57, like '05

I would never use an impact wrench to change wheels, expecially with rotors. Good way to warp them. Bring them up gradually with a proper lug wrench and then torque up with proper torque wrench to specs. Just my humble opinion.
MB

[V8 Cat]

Re: Wheels: like '57, like '05

I would never use an impact wrench to change wheels, expecially with rotors. Good way to warp them. Bring them up gradually with a proper lug wrench and then torque up with proper torque wrench to specs. Just my humble opinion.
MB

Excellent suggestion. Over the years I have had a number of brake rotor problems (warped rotors) brought on by the use of impact wrenches that over tighten the lug-nuts.

[Icebluebird]

Re: Wheels: like '57, like '05

Never had a rotor warp on me????

If you tighten in a crisscross pattern you shouldn't have a problem.

[THX1138]

Re: Wheels: like '57, like '05

Right you are. I was thinking about removing the lugs with the impact wrench and then putting the wheels back on nice and easy with the right tools and a torque wrench.

[cool57]

Re: Wheels: like '57, like '05

I would never use an impact wrench to change wheels, expecially with rotors. Good way to warp them. Bring them up gradually with a proper lug wrench and then torque up with proper torque wrench to specs. Just my humble opinion.
MB

Too bad the tire store guys don't heed that warning.

[bottomtime]

Re: Wheels: like '57, like '05

Here is an interesting trivial comparison: When I was first looking for an '05 Thunderbird, I originally wanted to have one with the chrome wheels. I was going to change them when I bought my '05, but the sixteen-spokers grew on me. Only recently I noticed that the 16 spokers are an imitation, or even better, an actualization of the imitation spokes upon the 57 Thunderbird wheel covers. An excellent thought by the designers at FoMoCo. Don't you think so?

Yes, I noticed that also - when I was shopping for my '05 T-Bird, my eye caught those polished spoke rims, with the same style hub caps, which was an option, that was on my '57 T-Bird that I owned, and remembered the same style was on it also, which made me go for it. There was no doubt that I knew that Ford did a "Carry Over" from the '57 T-Bird with those rims on the new T-Bird.

[justjon]

Re: Wheels: like '57, like '05

While I agree that the 16 spoke wheels are truely great, i am also impressed with the original chrome 02 version, they cast bright reflections on the ground that are just very cool.

[Lindy]

Re: Wheels: like '57, like '05

...here's my '57 hub. It ought to make for a great conversation piece at the car shows. IMHO I must say that Ford surely improved upon the original wheels by making them reality.

[AZTB]

Re: Wheels: like '57, like '05

Lindy, I really like your photos...if you could take one with the tarp removed from the hood, I think they would qualify as a TOTM photos!
(But don't pay too much to my opinion...of all the photos I've submitted over the years, I've never won TOTM!!).