Wheel Repair on a 1939 Cadillac LaSalle Automobile

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For this project my task was to repair the wheel for the 1939 Cadillac LaSalle automobile. A former owner forgot to tighten the lug nuts on the wheel for the spare tire, so the holes in the wheel were elongated. The cross hatching around the elongated hole below, is my instructions to our glass bead blasting source.1. Elongated lug nut holes

The first step was to measure the distance between the studs of a good wheel, to determine the bolt circle diameter. Based on the dimensions, I made a paper template to confirm the bolt circle diameter on the good wheel. It turned out to be a 5" diameter.2. Template to verify hole circle diameter

After glass bead blasting, I was concerned that the burr edge around the hole would contain paint, grease and oxide, which could contaminate the weld, so I ground it off.3. Grinding off burr edge

To prevent oxidation on the backside of the weld I added an Aluminum Foil shield to trap the purge gas.4. Aluminum foil to hold in shielding gas

The next step was to completely weld up the old holes. 5. Welding up one hole

Smith Oxyacetylene TorchMiller Dynasty 200DXLincoln SP-250 MIG WelderClausing/Coldchester 15" Lathe16" DuAll Saw15" Drill Press7" x 9" Swivel Head Horizontal Band Saw20 Ton Arbor Press BridgeportLincoln LE  31 MP & Lincoln 210 MP
Reply:6. Five holes welded up

7. Setup for machining the holes

Now I could re-machine the new lug nut holes on the correct bolt-circle diameter. 8. One hole machined

9. Five holes machined

10. Center of wheel primed

Smith Oxyacetylene TorchMiller Dynasty 200DXLincoln SP-250 MIG WelderClausing/Coldchester 15" Lathe16" DuAll Saw15" Drill Press7" x 9" Swivel Head Horizontal Band Saw20 Ton Arbor Press BridgeportLincoln LE  31 MP & Lincoln 210 MP
Reply:11. Testing fit of lug nut in hole

12. Back side of wheel

13. Making sure the lug nut wasn't too deep

Chris ordered a vintage wide white wall tire.  Unfortunately, it has a five-month backlog.14. Vintage wide white wall tire

15. My customer Chris near his car.

-DonSmith Oxyacetylene TorchMiller Dynasty 200DXLincoln SP-250 MIG WelderClausing/Coldchester 15" Lathe16" DuAll Saw15" Drill Press7" x 9" Swivel Head Horizontal Band Saw20 Ton Arbor Press BridgeportLincoln LE  31 MP & Lincoln 210 MP
Reply:NIce repair,  BTW what did that cost?We've done so much, for so long, with so little. Were now qualified to do anything with nothing !
Reply:

Originally Posted by welding1

NIce repair,  BTW what did that cost?
Reply:

Originally Posted by welding1

NIce repair,  BTW what did that cost?
Reply:Very nice!  Better than new.cg
Reply:Excellent work, Don.  I enjoyed following your procedure.

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