Federal Spinner (Knock Off) Differences

[elanern]

Can anyone shed some light on why there would be a difference in Federal spinners? My curiosity has the best of me on this snowy midwest US day.

The set on my Elan (1970 S4) has "UNDO" on them with an arrow.

UNDO with Arrow

I have a complete set in my parts collection that are different - they have "UNDO" with an arrow like those above, but also have "STEEL WHEELS ONLY" on them.

UNDO with Arrow and STEEL WHEELS ONLY

The spinners are the same except for the text. Any thoughts?

[peterako]

Hi Ernie,

Not sure it will shed any light but....

My (non-Federal) +2 with Alloy Wheels has Octagonal Spinners with 'Alloy Wheels Only' on them.

I think there may be a difference between the design/materials used on the Allow and Steel wheels.
(Just my guess...)

And the early federal Octagonal Spinners may have been out pre-Lotus-Alloy wheels hence no need to identify.

Just a guess though. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable (darn spellings) will know.

And someone more knowlegeable than me should be easy enough to find

Peter

[Robbie693]

There was some discussion on this a while ago here:

http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/lotus-suspension-f42/alloy-wheel-collar-needed-t25785.html

Robbie

[elanern]

So, if I understand this correctly, the spinners originally came with "UNDO" only, then because alloy wheels had a different contact area Lotus had to develop a separate alloy spinner and therefore needed to differentiate between the steel wheel and alloy wheel spinners?

[Robbie693]

Perhaps yes...

Mine has alloys and the nuts have just 'UNDO' on them. I also have a NOS spinner in a Lotus box and it is the same. No mention on the box if it is alloy specific. Neither do the new ones for sale from various specialists have any markings on them, nor are they listed as being for steel or alloy in the parts lists. As far as I know there is only one sort available. Same goes for the 3 eared spinners.

Oh and my wheels haven't fallen of yet!

Robbie

[ricarbo]

My understanding is that the chamfer angle is different for steel or alloy wheels, so the spinners are different.
To ensure the spinner presses evenly across the surface it should.
regards
richard

[Robbie693]

Were the thrust rings/collars for the alloys fitted from the beginning? I am just wondering if they were introduced later to achieve a similar chamfer angle to the steel wheels, thereby eliminating the need for two spinner designs?

Robbie