Are wheel adapters safe?

Question

I need to convert from 4 lug to 5 lug on a 65 mustang. Would there be any issues with the adapter? Suggestions are welcome.

Answer 1

Any time a wheel spacer or in your case a lug spacer you are pushing the wheel further from the spindle snout. This raises holy he*l with wheel bearings and lower caster intersection.
All automobiles are designed so that if you drew a straight line between ball joints the line intersects smack in the center of where the tire tread meets the ground. If you have struts the very same thing happens draw a true line down the center line of the strut to the ground. The line will intersect the center of the tire tread where it meets the ground.

If you add a wheel spacer the line will intersect somewhere near the inside tire tread where it meets the ground. What happens next isn't fun. When you round a corner and step on the brakes the steering wheel will try to jerk itself straight ahead.

As another person stated try to find later model spindles with a 5 lug hub attached. Your front end geometry will be A-OK

Answer 2

Wheel Adapters Safe

Answer 3

Alignment! High Speed Turns! Balance! The one extra lug will unbalance the Front End, Good Chance You'll Need New Shocks.

Answer 4

I'd rather change the hubs and wheels. I don't trust adapters as they are prone to failure (even the most expensive models). They also may cause interference with the wheels since they space the wheel further out from the drum and/or disks. You should try to adapt entire hubs and wheels to your 'Stang, rather than rely on "band-aid" fixes. Good luck!

Answer 5

for a mustang you should be ok. just rember to check your in side nuts they can come lose. most of the billet alum. ones can hold 12-13 second car at the trac but if you run a slick do not use them. after a month or two take them off and check for cracks . its more work running them but its worth it over redrilling the wheels.