Lead Hammer vs Dead Blow

[CompClassics]

5 lbs Lead hammer, hit each ear alternately

[Jim Vander Wal]

While this topic has been beat to death, pun intended, I'll offer a few thoughts from my 65k miles of spinners and pin drive wheels.

Lead hammers work. I tried the dead blow, sorry no cigar. Lead hammer all the way.

I quit running safety wire after the first few years of my time with SPF spinners, 2004-2014. Did secure the spinners and then hit all again after a few mile test ride. Never an issue but did see a wheel come off another owner's car at Carolina Motorsports Park.

When removing or reinstalling, the wheel should be on the ground, maybe not holding the full weight of the car but at least providing some support to the impact. If the wheel is off the ground the suspension is absorbing the hammer blows and the hammer won't be as effective.

I am not a fan of a turning tool for tightening the spinners. I believe that you need the impact of the hammer. If it works for removal that is good.

And a note for the "low maintenance" owners. You really need to pull the spinners once a year or more and reapply new anti-seize. This will help to ease the removal. Saw or heard about many owners that were proud of the longevity of their tires only to struggle with spinner removal.

Anti-seize is nasty stuff and gets to places you don't want it. And now a cheap plug for a friend. Cobra Valley's Spinner-Eaze works, it's clear and way less messy than traditional silver anti-seize. A small bottle lasts almost forever.
Cobra Valley's Chemicals - Spinner Eaze Anti-Seize

Your car, do as you please, but I get to do the same.

Jim

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Jim Vander Wal

Cobra Valley's Spinner-Eaze works, it's clear and way less messy than traditional silver anti-seize. A small bottle lasts almost forever.
Cobra Valley's Chemicals - Spinner Eaze Anti-Seize

Yep, I've used it exclusively. But, it doesn't last forever. I'm now on my second bottle... granted I'm going on 17 years.

[Kojack70]

Spinner Eaze is definitely the best option. You don't need a lot, it goes a long way. Otherwise you'll have excess crap on the wheels after driving.

Originally Posted by patrickt

Yep, I've used it exclusively. But, it doesn't last forever. I'm now on my second bottle... granted I'm going on 17 years.

[KarlzEE Bebout]

10-4 on the Spinner-Eaze. Not nearly as nasty as Neverseize. It will work through the theards and sling around on the wheel, unless a super minimal amount is brushed on but even at that, it's much easier to clean off and isn't nearly as visible. I've never figure out how a tiny drop of Neverseize on the tip of a finger can somehow migrate up to the back of your elbow.

[novasscnc]

Cobra Valley Spinner 911 works great

[eschaider]

My dentist uses a dead blow hammer and other than some tenderness on the ear that gets whacked, a slight ringing in my ears when I come to, and the vestiges of the headache just after contact it seems to work pretty well — I am totally unaware of any milling, drilling or filling he does on me. Sometimes there can be the attendant, occasional uncontrollable twitches for a week or so afterwards ...

[Sargie]

Originally Posted by eschaider

My dentist uses a dead blow hammer and other than some tenderness on the ear that gets whacked, a slight ringing in my ears when I come to, and the vestiges of the headache just after contact it seems to work pretty well — I am totally unaware of any milling, drilling or filling he does on me. Sometimes there can be the attendant, occasional uncontrollable twitches for a week or so afterwards ...

Ed, any idea what size hammer he uses? I’ve heard 30 oz for simple fillings with 60oz for extractions….Also some will even use a lead as it won’t mar your head

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Sargie

Ed, any idea what size hammer he uses?

I doubt you're dealing with a "he."

[eschaider]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I doubt you're dealing with a "he."

Are we speaking from some type of personal experience / expertise here Patrick?

[eschaider]

Originally Posted by Sargie

Ed, any idea what size hammer he uses? I’ve heard 30 oz for simple fillings with 60oz for extractions….Also some will even use a lead as it won’t mar your head

From the ringing in my ears I am guessing it's a 60 oz device.

[eschaider]

You guys are too good!

[ERA174]

lol, love the dark humor, I'll refrain from commenting, been indulging in the spirits!

[HealeyRick]

I had the plastic on a Snap-On dead blow hammer explode on me when whacking a knock-off. Scares the heck out of you. Apparently, they decompose over time and are also subject to temperature change, like cold. I use the American Hammer lead one now.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by HealeyRick

... they decompose over time and are also subject to temperature change, like cold.

Yep, just like all of us.

[twobjshelbys]

Note that the use of force (and forceful tools) is only necessary IF proper care wasn't taken when the spinner was installed. That proper care is a small dab of anti-seize on the mating surface of the spinner to the wheel. If you do that you won't need more than a few whacks of the lead mallet to remove them... And if you do, you're tightening them too much.

Also remember that the spinners are directional - don't confuse stuck with going the wrong direction.