Stuck Knock-off and the solution

Kit Coyle · #1 (**permalink**) 07-19-2015, 09:43 PM

My 6 pound lead hammer was not breaking my knock-offs loose and fearing
I might break or bend an ear I decided to use penetrating oil. A search for
"best penetrating oil" rated all the commercial products and then said that
the best was a home brew of 50/50 ATF and acetone. I mixed a bit and using
an eye dropper, applied it to the joint where the Knock-off meets the wheel.
It worked. You can substitute baby oil, mineral oil or cooking oil for the ATF
but the ATF is said to be better because it contains detergents. In any case,
apply liberally and wait about 10 minutes...then apply the big hammer. It
worked for me.

Dominik · #2 (**permalink**) 07-20-2015, 01:22 AM

Do you have the 5-pin adapter version, or 6-pin?

Kit Coyle · #3 (**permalink**) 07-20-2015, 08:04 AM

6-pin

Karl Bebout · #4 (**permalink**) 07-20-2015, 10:35 AM

I saw test results of several different penetrants and the 50-50 ATF and Acetone showed to be the best and a whole lot less cost. Atta Boy Kit! If that had failed, Cobra Country (I think) has a really slick tool for loosening the spinners. Much better than busting ears off.

Dominik · #5 (**permalink**) 07-20-2015, 10:43 AM

6-pin. interesting. So far I only had 5-pin adapter wing nuts badly stuck, which I blamed on the clamping and distortion of the pin drives not true and binding the wheels against the wing nut seat.

I like your lubricant!

Clois Harlan · #6 (**permalink**) 07-20-2015, 12:15 PM

I know you are not going to want to do this for fear of discoloration but try putting a little heat from a map torch. Get your wheel off the ground then put a little heat all around the spinner for maybe two miinutes and hit it in the correct direction. If it blues a little the Harley shops sells a powder that works great to get it back to it's original color or just sand it with some 2000 grit sand paper and polish it back to normal.

1985 CCX · #7 (**permalink**) 07-20-2015, 12:35 PM

Have to mention that the passenger side direction is reverse thread?
Just want to be sure you know...........

ACademic · #8 (**permalink**) 07-20-2015, 01:50 PM

This is the simplest and easiest solution if the soaking method does not work for some. It's also a lot easier on the spinner and surrounding rim.

Cobra Valley's Spinner Removal Tool