Knock-offs

[Greg Blair]

Newbie to Cobras here, just acquired a "Superformance" with beautiful Halibrand style wheels with knock-offs. I hope this doesn't sound too silly,but are the threads left hand? I don't want to ruin the spindles. The car has been sitting for a long time. Has anyone seen these seize up?

[rms427]

They are different on each side. They come off in the direction the tire rotates or towards the front of the car. So the right (passenger) side of the car has left handed threads or tightens counter clockwise. The left (drivers) side tightens clockwise.

[FIA-ERA]

Just as the previous post says. You need a 10lb lead hammer to knock the knock offs with. Yes, they can seize up after time. When installing them back on make sure to use "Anti seize" from Permatex or something similar. I applied it to the drive pins, the mating surface on the hubs/ wheels and the mating surface of the knock offs! Don't get that stuff on you, it gets everywhere! You have to smack them pretty hard to loosen and tighten. Then make sure to saftey wire them back on! Look up posts here on how to do that! Once you do it once you'll be fine.

[dcdoug]

My hammer's only 6lbs, but anyway, it's well worth the investment to get a lead hammer. WAY easier than say a small sledge and a 2x4. This is what you want: http://www.americanhammer.com/

Here's a video of how to do it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8kCWG3d1Cc

And make sure you safety wire it when you are done.

[Mark IV]

Just remember "Tight A$$" and you will be OK, i.e. the top of the spinner goes to the rear to tighten...and conversely opposite to remove. And when you tighten the knock-offs, the wheels should be off the ground for best results.

And don't forget safety wire!

[mickmate]

and on the ground to loosen right.......

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by mickmate

and on the ground to loosen right.......

Doesn't have to be, but you want to make sure it's out of gear.

[Zoom This]

And....don't beat the piss out of them putting them back on. Spin them on hand tight, one good whack with the hammer and safety wire them.

[WardL]

When I got my Cobra I wanted to take the wheels off and the right rear was a bugger. I could only beat on the spinner with the lead hammer for about 15 minutes before I was so exhausted my aim got bad. After about 3 days of on and off beating I was ready to buy one of the "wrenches" to remove them until I saw how much they cost. Then someone on the forum here suggest to get a 2' 2x4 and use it to get a better whack on the spinner. After a couple more days and several split 2x4s.... It MOVED! It had never seize but it had not been taken off for 3 years. I tired the hot and cold water and the butane torch, but don't think that helped me much. The other three spinners were easy. Good luck!

[Jim Kellogg]

Dennis Olthoff has a nice video on spinner care
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8kCW...layer_embedded

Having a good hammer is a big help. Here is the one I have used for many years
http://performanceunlimited.com/cobr...ls/hammer.html

Lots of other good videos from Olthoff Racing on YouTube also!

Take a video ride with Dennis Olthoff in the GT40, or better yet, come and see him race next weekend at Watkins Glen for the U.S. Vintage Grand Prix!
Superformance will be there in full force, with the GT40 (racing very succesfully in SVRA), some Cobras, including the new FIA car, and the new Perana Z.

Hope to see some of you at The Glen!
Jim

[Bob In Ct]

Dittto on Zoom This.

If they go on with 1 or 2 firm hits it will take many more "firm" hits to remove them (like oil filters). Strike an ear, rotate the wheel 120 degrees, repeat.

Bob

[Don DePontee]

Here's a photo of my lead mallet showing normal wear:

Don

[Zoom This]

I learned my lesson on a stuck spinner years ago on my car. I beat and beat the stock aluminum spinner with a lead hammer, used a 2x4 as suggested and a "tool" used for tuff spinners. Broke off two ears. Nothing worked, not even hot/cold soaks. I borrowed a friends tool from Finish Line that was modified to hold onto the ear(s) better and took it to a gas station for a moment on the air tool. Nope, no go. On to another place with more PSI on the air hammer. Nope. Finally, went to a tractor/trailer maintenance yard and asked if they would apply their "take no prisoners" air hammer used for giant lug nuts. The guy pulled out his mammoth air hammer, put it on the "tool" I provided and he asked..."are you sure this is the right direction for off?" I replied "yes" and with a low speed no sweat chuck, chuck, chuck of the air wrench the sad spinner came off like it was soaked in buddah. Woo Hoo! The shop that had done the work last on my car had beat the crap out of the spinner putting it on thinking that each whack somehow made the wheel safer from flying off. I bought a set on stainless spinners and have been happy ever since. Hand tight, one whack and safety wire for me.

[Mark IV]

The local Peterbilt dealer had a guy with a Saleen S7 show up to have his center lock nuts "loosened" as the tire shop could not generate enough moxie to do them. A 1" drive impact packs a LOT of torque.............