"Horace K. Sawyer" wrote:

> Conversion to 15" rims and 205/75/15 Bridgestone 689 LT  on  91 auto Westy.
>
> As a test, mounted rears with lock washers sized the width the bolt
> protruding from brake drum. Will the narrow lock washers cause the wheel to
> distort?
>
> Is a hardened washer a sufficient spacer for this application?  Perhaps a
> washer with more surface area would be better for pressure distribution?
>
> Archives showed one member simply removed the bolts from the drums, no need
> for spacers then.  I have no experience inside a brake drum.  Could this
> procedure harm anything?
>
> I question whether this 'spacer' procedure with washers is safe -- but
> then, why would it not be?
>
> Thanks
>
> HK Sawyer

If you are thinking of the small bolts that is located on the rear drums, they
are to hold the drum to the spindle when the wheel is off, go ahead and take'em
off! It wont hurt, as the drum is kept in place by the wheel nuts. I'd rather
remove the small bolts than put washers between the rim and drum.

PerL
88 Syncro
Arendal, Norway