I'm a new owner of Beck Speedster. The rear wheels have five lug nuts but also a center castle nut. When changing a tire can you just remove the lug nuts or do you also have to remove the castle nut? Probably a dumb question but just want to know what's ahead of me should I get a flat on the back.
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Just the lug nuts.
Thanks!
Big nut is torqued to 250+ ft/lbs. Takes real effort to remove it (3/4 36 mm socket with long cheater bar)! Most live dangerously --- no spare at all!
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Helga, that is not at all a dumb question.
It is a carefully thought out response to an apparent dilemma — well phrased, well timed, and well directed. It is the kind of question that leads to good outcomes and stress-free living.
An example of a similar, but dumb, question follows:
"I'm a new owner of a Beck Speedster. The rear wheels have five lug nuts but also a center castle nut. While attempting to remove the rear wheel, I started with the large, castellated nut, but found it wouldn't budge. While pounding on it with a sledge hammer, I managed to mung up most of the surfaces on it so I can no longer get any sort of wrench to fit and the rear wheel is still stuck fast. I thought I'd ask the experts on this forum what I should do now."
Helga, you just wouldn't believe how many questions like this last one we see here. Your calm and reasoned approach to problem solving means you should get thousands of happy driving miles from your new Beck.
Cheers!
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Sacto, your response and the advice of Gordon Nichols is salve for the soul. I waited over three years for my Speedster and find it to be that raw roadster throwback I was craving. So thankful for Carey Hines and his build team, people like Pat Downs who build excellent engines and folks on this blog who are willing to empathize and give sage advice based on their discoveries. Will be quite a journey!
Ha - remember years ago I had changed out steel wheels to alloy wheels that took a special long bolt with a washer. Didn't change out the steel spare - went to use spare to discover the alloy bolts wouldn't tighten down - still had 1/2" gap plus alloy bolts weren't acorn bevel seat! Oops! Almost as bad as losing the key for a locking nut.
I'll try not to over dialogue in these exchanges but you folks are new to me and I find your responses to be fun and enlightening. Yeah, these cars are unique and interesting. Your comment reminds me of those times when software programs are altered for desired improvement only to find the changes introduce unexpected "bugs" that have to be addressed and fixed. Just part of the reality that can come with customization.
@Helga Speedster posted:I'm a new owner of Beck Speedster. The rear wheels have five lug nuts but also a center castle nut. When changing a tire can you just remove the lug nuts or do you also have to remove the castle nut? Probably a dumb question but just want to know what's ahead of me should I get a flat on the back.
Did you take the time to look at the front wheel ?
I did look at the front wheels but looked similar to what I've experienced before in terms of the lug nuts and center bearing cover. Is there something I may be missing in terms of checking acceptable play in the wheel? It is new, though, with Carey driving it and testing it out before it was transported to me.
