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The studs on my tire mount are pretty damaged. One is completely stripped and the other two look fine but have been damaged as well.
I considered replacing the studs and purchasing new lugs for them, but I didn't feel like spending $50 to repair the thing.

I decided to make a baja style/offroad tire retainer. This was the first diagram I whipped up as I decided on parts.
Almost everything came from my local Ace Hardware.
3 feet of 1/2 inch mild steel rod
3-1/2 inch 7/8 inch grade 8 bolt
7/8 nut
3in x 4 in 1/8 inch steel plate (scrap bin)

I also picked up a 7/8 hole saw.


To build it, I drilled a 7/8 hole in the center of the stock tire mount, then ground off the paint to get bare steel.
Then I welded the nut (after grinding off the zinc coating in the weld area) to the mount.
I used the new bolt to locate the nut along with a welding magnet.

Then I drilled a 7/8 hole in my 3x4 plate and welded it to the end of the bolt.
After that, I created the handle. I began with one angled side, cut it down and built the other to match.
Finally, I added the handle across the two angled bars to complete it.
I bit more grinding to round off the corners of the plate and some paint to finish it out.


I used a bit of foam padding between the steel plate and the wheel.
When I get a chance, I'm going to put some delrin in my lathe and make a cone that will protect the wheels from the backer plate.
I'll probably make some delrin pins to fid over the old studs. That'll help locate the wheel and protect the lug holes as well.





Last Modified 09/28/15 09:46