Spinners -- On for years..

cdog534 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 12:20 PM

Guys, my SPF needs new tires, planning to get some from Roger Kraus.

ISSUE: The spinners have been on since 2001. Yep, factory safety wire still in place. Any suggestions on removing them. From what I understand, they don't like to come off if they've been on for years...

Rick Parker · #2 (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 12:38 PM

You may need to put a little penetrating oil or "Liquid Wrench" on them overnight. Should be ok though.

streetrod1927 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 01:21 PM

Try Gibbs oil in a spray container. This stuff loosens anything. Its about $15.00 a can. Great stuff

patrickt · #4 (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 01:24 PM

If you can't loosen one up with a couple whacks of the lead hammer, fashion yourself one of these and you can lay down some pretty serious torque on those spinners.

Nedsel · #5 (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 02:34 PM

Having seen photos of those spinner wrenches before, I have wondered how you keep the thing on the knock-off itself? Seems to me it would want to simply slide off as you applied pressure.

wtm442 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 02:45 PM

You are in the same boat as I was last year. First owner never had them removed. There was 11K miles when I removed the rims to add anti-squeek shims to the Wilwood brakes.

Just keep hitting the spinner with the lead hammer. It will come off. I wrapped the lead hammer with cloth just in case my aim was not too good.

patrickt · #7 (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nedsel

Having seen photos of those spinner wrenches before, I have wondered how you keep the thing on the knock-off itself? Seems to me it would want to simply slide off as you applied pressure.

That steel pipe that I have shown there is about 30" long -- it's a nice length that fits well in both your hands, of course by having one hand on each end. By pushing down with one hand and pulling up with the other the applied torque is very even in the middle of the wrench and you're actually pushing it in to the wheel; there is no slippage. That's different than having a normal wrench, or ratchet, where the socket is at the end of your wrench. I think if you tried to do it that way it might slip off.

Silverback51 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

If you can't loosen one up with a couple whacks of the lead hammer, fashion yourself one of these and you can lay down some pretty serious torque on those spinners.

When looking at one of these, I have always thought they should have added notchs so that the spinner was locked into the tool. As it is it could slip off and you could damage a wheel when you went a$$ over tea kettle across the garage.

JBo · #9 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 07:12 AM

65cobra1,
Safety wire is NOT to advise you thatr you have a Knock-on coming off. Safety wire is designed to be used to prevent the problem. It should be twisted tight, with no loops and NEVER reused after removal. If you are anal, 2 per wheel are better than one. This material was used in aircraft (still is) and is designed to keep parts from coming off...not to advise you they are loose...what happens if the safewire tells you at 30,000 ft that your fuel whatever is loose and going to start spraying fuel on your exhaust manifold?
Jbo

patrickt · #10 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverback51

When looking at one of these, I have always thought they should have added notchs so that the spinner was locked into the tool.

That's not a bad idea. You could probably do that with a file (sounds like a good summer assignment for one of the kids). You'd have to do both sides of the "ears" though, and you'd have to do all three ears.

Bob In Ct · #11 (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 01:19 PM

Jack the car, heat the spinner with a hair dryer, Hit an ear with a lead hammer, rotate 120 degrees hit the next ear, repeat, repeat, repeat. Be sure you're hitting in the correct direction. Normally it's tops to the front.

Bob

double ugly · #12 (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 03:01 PM

Save some sweat and put some liquid wrench or similar product on over night as per above reccomendations.
I had a SPF with the same problem. I used a 2x4 and it saved nicking the alum. spinners. Rotate the ears so all the abuse isn't on just one ear.
It's important to be loosening not tightening. Spinners come off the same direction as tire rotation when driving.

John

DonC · #13 (**permalink**) 03-09-2008, 07:57 PM

Cdog:
Good suggestions all. If you want to get the full picture of what it takes take a look at:
Can't get a wheel off, any suggestions?
A lot of good information and a couple of off the wall suggestions just to keep it light.
DonC

601HP · #14 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 08:11 AM

I've experienced similar issues. My car typyically sits from early November until the first of May. Now, one of my annual winter shut-down habits is to cut the safety wire and loosen each knock-off about one full turn.

David

cdog · #15 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 06:51 PM

Thanks guys... I've read all the 'spinner tool' threads as well.

I'm gonna try it with the hammer and see if that works before buying the $250 tool. Also, maybe someone here in Chi-town has a tool I can borrow.

mr0077 · #16 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 04:19 PM

FWIW, I recommend doing it the reverse of these instructions...have the loop start at the spinner, twist the wire and finish the ends of the wire behind the wheels...it has a much cleaner look and you're less likely to cut yourself with the end of the wire at the knockoff ear.

cdog · #17 (**permalink**) 04-16-2008, 09:34 PM

RESULTS:

They came off easy! I did the following:

- Jack up the car
- Bang lightly on one ear
- Rotate to the next ear
- Bang on that ear
- Repeat

Every spinner came off in about 60-90 seconds. Got the new tires on, but I don't have any safety wire, so I'll do that tomorrow.

I went from a 340 treadwear rating on the stock SPF tires to an 80 treadwear on these Avons. I'm thinking that should help traction and/or blow up the 8.8" rear...

Archrms · #18 (**permalink**) 04-17-2008, 09:18 AM

I was told the wire was there for two reasons;
1 - to keep the spinner from loosining
2 - to provide a visual warning during pre-driving inspection that there is a problem (if the wire is broken).

I like the suggestion of loosening all of the spinners a few turns, and re-tightnening them to keep them from siezing. I will add this to my Spring routine.

patrickt · #19 (**permalink**) 04-17-2008, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archrms

I like the suggestion of loosening all of the spinners a few turns, and re-tightnening them to keep them from siezing. I will add this to my Spring routine.

Go a little further and pull the wheel off and eyeball your calipers, brake hoses, ball joints, tie-rod ends, look for funky leaks, oily goo where it shouldn't be, etc. Having a spinner get stuck is bad, blowing a brake line at speed can be really bad.

Jim Maxwell · #20 (**permalink**) 04-20-2008, 02:35 PM

I have found that the quickest way is to use a blow torch to cut the suckers off and simply put a new set on after you are done doing whatever you wanted to take them off for. It certainly is more fun and less stressful on your rotator cuffs. Guys love tearing stuff up and this is a great opportunity.
Anonymous