Return to the BUILD
“Follow these step-by-step instructions to add the last of the four wheels to your DeLorean.”
With this issue, we build and mount the right rear tire (a mirror of Issue 13).
Contents
Parts
Materials: The Rim is metal, the Tire is hard rubber, and the rest is plastic.
Magazine
- Drive Time: Model Instructions
- Production Diary: Week 12 at the Clock Tower
- The Star Car: The DeLorean DMC-12 and its creator John DeLorean
- A Time Traveler’s Guide: George McFly’s First Novel
Binder
The second binder has arrived, but this one was not free. Each binder sent now costs $7.99 USD, but you can cancel them if you like.
Build
The Wheel
Step 1
Push the Rim snugly into the Tire.
The Rim is metal and the Tire is made of flexible rubber with nice accurate tread detail. The position of the Rim within the Tire will affect how the Hubcap valve stem and lug bolts line up later on, so take note if this concerns you. The real car does not have this concern, so neither do I.
Step 2
Press the Hubcap into the Rim.
The Hubcap goes on the reverse side of the Rim pictured above, and will only fit onto the 3 screws holes in one orientation:
Attach with three (3) BP screws from the reverse side.
Fitting The Wheel To The Frame
Step 1
Push the completed wheel onto the Rear Brake Disc added in Issue 14. Fit the Washer onto one (1) GM screw and tighten in place. Finally, press the Hub into the hole.
I recommend to not put the Hub in yet since the wheels may loosen as the build continues and getting the Hub out again is not easy once the wheels are mounted. An even better solution is to replace all your Hubs with Mike Lane’s Magnetic Wheel Caps!
Now that all four wheels are completed, I went ahead with some extra mods. This included paint and Mike Lane mods. Check out my Wheel Works page for details!
Thoughts
And with that done, all of the main wheels are mounted! The total weight of this assembly is up to about 3.25 Lbs. (1.47 Kg). We will be building the engine and transmission for the next 11 issues, so this entire Frame will not be used again until Issue 26. Please handle it gently and put it somewhere safe for a few months.
Next Up
Issue 16 – Engine: Transmission Case
Great site. I was referred to you by Mike Lane.
As I wait for my first issue to arrive, I’ve been viewing World of Wayne’s videos; and from there I planed on following his guide in the building process, incorporating both Mike Lane and ModelModz during the build process.
I viewed your site and found it very informative as well. I love the paint modifications you’ve made and plan on using your lead as I build the model.
One thing though. Just by happenstance, I found your March 2019 page where you show how you painted the wheel covers. Great idea! But a few issues out of sequence. (I assume for some reason you couldn’t add that to the correct Issue Build #?)
I’m glad I found it before assembly! So my question is: Am I going to find other modifications out of sequence?
Oh..and in case your curious: I’m in the U.S. – California
Thank you and I hope you are surviving the heat wave! That hubcap paint mod is because I did not realize I wanted to do it until after I received all the wheels. Most mods are included in the issues I did them, but I did go back and add this one to the wheel issues. By the way, you can always check my main MODS page for the entire listing of mods I used on this model and which issues they apply to.
Just finished issue 15 and quite happy to have the 4 wheels on and be done with suspension! My front wheels definitely have a bit of play but the back ones are quite tight given that we add the plastic washer there. On one hand I’m thinking of using extra washers on the front, however I’m thinking this could make it hard for the wheels to turn.
Not that I’m going to be wheel it around the house, but curious if you had any thoughts about those front wheels.
p.s. By issue 15 the EM supplied screwdriver is already at the end of it’s life. Magnetism is almost gone and the tip is going. I just ordered a better set on Amazon – great recommendation!
As long as the screws hold the wheel on, you can use the washers as you see fit. There is going to be a little wobble, but you can make them tighter. I tightened mine to the point where the wheel barely turned by hand, as I did not have any need for the model to roll anywhere.