[Ed Rynex, Jr.]

I noted the issue of the pins. I recently broke a pin on my ERA, a 6 pin attachment on the rear axle. I purchaced replacement pins from ERA the specs called for 4140 steel with rockwell heat treatment to C36. My pins measure .491" Diameter and are a 1" pin with an overal length of 1.625 " I tested the fit in the wheel and there is room to spare. Pins are also nicely chamfered.
My problem was removing the wheels to begin with -first time since I owned the car(9/98) used my brass hammer to remove the spinners - took a lot of work no damage to the spinners. Will coat the pins/hub and thread liberally with anti-seize. I will remove and coat at least once a year going forward.
With the misalignment of the pins that have been discussed in this thread it would seem that somone did a poor job of machining the hubs and/or reading the drawings before drilling the pin holes and did not thread the holes for proper alignment. When screwed in the shoulder of the pin should snug up tp the hub seated flat against it. (This is all dependant on eveything being machined properly and out of the correct materials). Mistakes have been made - one only need to look at the recalls by major auto makers to see that the wrong bolt or nut was supplied on ocassion and had to be replaced (probably mismarked or improperly heat treated).
I wish you all the best in getting your pins straightened out (no pun intended) and your back spacing issues resolved. We all want to be back on the road where we belong.