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Wheels & Tires Series · Part 4 · Tech Sheet
Smoothie Wheels Tech Sheet
Construction, socket sizes, torque, tires and hubcaps for 17″ Airkewld Smoothie wheels. Read the whole sheet before you start.
Wheels & Tires Series · Classic VW
Part 4 · You are here
Smoothie tech sheet
Specs, torque & hubcaps
01 · Specs
Construction, sockets & torque
| 17″ 3-piece (current) | 17″ 2-piece (discontinued) | |
|---|---|---|
| Center | 6061-T6 billet aluminum | 6061-T6 billet aluminum |
| Outer | Aluminum halves: polished outer, machined inner | Steel outer hoop |
| Fasteners | 40 bolts | 16 bolts |
| Bolt socket | 8 mm 12-point bolts (5/16″ socket) | 3/8″ 12-point socket |
| Nut socket | 13 mm | — |
| Thread pitch | — | 3/8-16 (ferry cap bolts) |
| Torque | 30 ft-lbs | 31 ft-lbs (ferry cap bolts) |
Anti-seize every bolt and screw. That includes the hub cap clip screws.
02 · Mounting
Lugs, stems, tires & balance
Valve stems
Standard
Balancing
Lug-centric
Tools: the sockets and tools we use are on our Amazon tool page. Lug nut seat types are explained in Part 3: Lug nuts.
03 · Hubcaps
Which hubcaps fit
Any early hubcap from a 1949–1965 Beetle, 1955–1967 Bus or early 356 Porsche will work, as will aftermarket caps for those models. Pick carefully: some are made with thinner steel or cheap chrome, so inspect before you buy. Hub caps mount with Wolfsburg West clips and 10-32 stainless socket head cap screws.
Do we sell hubcaps? No. Here are some options.
04 · Watch
Smoothie install videos
05 · FAQ
Smoothie questions
What torque for the 3-piece bolts?
30 ft-lbs, with anti-seize on every bolt.
What lug nuts do Smoothies use?
Acorn (60° conical) seat lug nuts. See Part 3: Lug nuts.
What tires should I run?
205/40R17 up front and 215/45R17 in the rear. More in Part 2: Tire sizes.
How should they be balanced?
Lug-centric.
Which hubcaps fit?
Any early 1949–1965 Beetle, 1955–1967 Bus or early 356 Porsche cap, or aftermarket caps for those models.
Process — Not Parts — Determines Performance