Wheel Hanger Alignment Tool

[brainf18]

Purchased these on Amazon. $12 for two (M12x1.5). The picture at the bottom isn't a lotus but you get the idea

 

[netsinah]

GRP sells the "Powerflex" brand (one only) for US$32.99 plus tax/ship. That's where I bought mine. The GRP description mentions it being "CNC-machined AISI 303 Stainless Steel, 50% stronger than mild plated steel" and I'd like to think this is a case of "you get what you pay for" to justify the 5.5X price I paid (for one), compared to this Amazon 7075 aluminum alloy pair. I can't comment on the strength of the different materials so I'm NOT knocking the Amazon brand; just pointing out another option with GRP. I haven't tested out mine but will soon. I leave this up to the buyer to decide.

Regardless, for those who take tires on/off a fair bit (ie. for track purposes), IMO this is a must-have convenient tool.

Thanks for your post brainf18.

 

[crestima]

Purchased these on Amazon. $12 for two (M12x1.5). The picture at the bottom isn't a lotus but you get the idea

View attachment 57971

View attachment 57970

I've found that using one of those longer guides at the top along with a shorter one at the bottom works easiest, particularly when placing the wheel back. This way, you only have to concentrate on aligning the top (longer) guide with one of the rim's lug bolt holes, and once you have the wheel supported on that one, it becomes easier to align the second guide. Here's a picture of the Amazon short guide pin.

 

[tvs_1320]

I've found that using one of those longer guides at the top along with a shorter one at the bottom works easiest, particularly when placing the wheel back. This way, you only have to concentrate on aligning the top (longer) guide with one of the rim's lug bolt holes, and once you have the wheel supported on that one, it becomes easier to align the second guide. Here's a picture of the Amazon short guide pin.

I've come to dislike the ones that have knurled ends like this. Helps thread it in, but if you happen to be a little off they end up being a decently effective file on the inside of the wheel bolt hole.

 

[netsinah]

The GRP "Powerflex" wheel hanger alignment tool, is nice since it doesn't have the "cross-patterned" end that tvs_1320 points out could damage the rim bolt hole. In fact, it has a "rubber" surface, to specifically prevent any such contact damage. The GRP description doesn't mention its length, but I measured mine to be 5.25". To use crestima's idea of having a second shorter one, I looked on Amazon to find a shorter one which doesn't have the "cross-pattern" but almost 100% of them do. As well, it looks like 100% of them are made in China and look very similar, although they do come in different lengths. The length is hard to figure out sometimes, since numerous descriptions fail to mention length or if they do, they refer to the "package length" rather than the length of the tool. The available lengths I found were 3.8" (shortest), 4.0", 4.7" (described by some as 4.72" which is likely more accurate) and 6.3".

I gave up trying to find a 12 x 1.5 w/o the "cross-pattern" and bought the cheapest 4.72" one for me off Amazon.ca (Can$9.49 + tax, free ship). I saw no sense in paying more for what's likely the same thing, even if it was available in different colors. I'll see if the small amount of length difference compared to the GRP Powerflex one (4.72" vs 5.12"), works.

This is likely way too much information, for such a small item, but there you have it...in case it saves someone else "research time". Pricing for people in the States using Amazon.com, looks to be far lower (lucky you).

 

[netsinah]

Thanks for the suggestion and for finding a "smooth" candidate. Still looking for something shorter than 5.25" and the one you've ID'd is an inch longer. Maybe someone else will want that size. Or I suppose I use the GRP tool as the "shorter one" and buy the StickyRX pair. That said, it looks like StickyRX doesn't ship to Canada. Keep 'em coming people!

 

[crestima]

I've come to dislike the ones that have knurled ends like this. Helps thread it in, but if you happen to be a little off they end up being a decently effective file on the inside of the wheel bolt hole.

The GRP "Powerflex" wheel hanger alignment tool, is nice since it doesn't have the "cross-patterned" end that tvs_1320 points out could damage the rim bolt hole. In fact, it has a "rubber" surface, to specifically prevent any such contact damage. The GRP description doesn't mention its length, but I measured mine to be 5.25". To use crestima's idea of having a second shorter one, I looked on Amazon to find a shorter one which doesn't have the "cross-pattern" but almost 100% of them do. As well, it looks like 100% of them are made in China and look very similar, although they do come in different lengths. The length is hard to figure out sometimes, since numerous descriptions fail to mention length or if they do, they refer to the "package length" rather than the length of the tool. The available lengths I found were 3.8" (shortest), 4.0", 4.7" (described by some as 4.72" which is likely more accurate) and 6.3".

I gave up trying to find a 12 x 1.5 w/o the "cross-pattern" and bought the cheapest 4.72" one for me off Amazon.ca (Can$9.49 + tax, free ship). I saw no sense in paying more for what's likely the same thing, even if it was available in different colors. I'll see if the small amount of length difference compared to the GRP Powerflex one (4.72" vs 5.12"), works.

This is likely way too much information, for such a small item, but there you have it...in case it saves someone else "research time". Pricing for people in the States using Amazon.com, looks to be far lower (lucky you).

I've used the guides with knurled ends for many years on all my cars without ever having damaged any wheel lug nut hole, but if it's still a concern, all you have to do is wrap a piece of electric tape over the knurled section.

 

[virtualmacho]

Shrink tube, if you dislike adhesives.

 

[B r I a n]

I presumed my Porsche one would work, but just checked, Porsche is 14 X 1.5mm not 12 X 1.5 mm.

 

[crestima]

I presumed my Porsche one would work, but just checked, Porsche is 14 X 1.5mm not 12 X 1.5 mm.

Yeah, they're different thread sizes. I have the 911 size ones too. Fortunately, these guides are cheap enough to purchase a set for each application.