Can not remove KO wheels
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Idaho Falls Idaho
Can not remove KO wheels
I have a 66 air coupe with after market KO wheels. I have removed the center cap and taken out the safety pins. I used a 3 lb soft hammer and got one loose but the others are not moving. I have soaked the exposed threads with a liquid penetrant no success. I have purchased the Big Freekin Wrench (BFW) from LI Corvette and thought that would solve the problem. I now have enough leverage to turn the wheel on the ground but did not loosen the KO spinner. Put a lot of torque on the spinner and had the tool hit with a 3 pound hammer to shock load the system no success. The reason I have to get the wheels off is because the power master cylinder has leaked down and I have to rebuild the master and then bleed the brakes. So I can not use the juice brakes to hold the wheel from turning Parking brake is also weak and will not hold. I have tried the standard transmission in reverse to use engine compression no luck.
So anyone have suggestions? I have thought of taking out a spark plug and feeding nylon rope into the cylinder and turning the engine over until the rope locks up the drive train. I can also try and lock the drive shaft up some how?
Thanks for any help in advance.
Mark Schell
amspeak2@gmail.com
So anyone have suggestions? I have thought of taking out a spark plug and feeding nylon rope into the cylinder and turning the engine over until the rope locks up the drive train. I can also try and lock the drive shaft up some how?
Thanks for any help in advance.
Mark Schell
amspeak2@gmail.com
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 686
From: Ho-Ho-Kus NJ
Try taking some weight off the wheel. Jack the car so the wheel is perpendicular to the ground and then wack it with the Mother Thumper till it comes loose. Since you have one wheel off the other wheel on that side should come off with the same rotation. Good luck
Joe
Joe
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 3
From: Mosquito Land, Manitoba, Canada
Looks like your spinners fused to the hub threads. If you don't mind doing this, heat the spinners off with a torch. The heat will certaintly discolor the chrome but the spinners will come off. This may be your last resort.
Rust never sleeps.
Good luck.
Rust never sleeps.
Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,777
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From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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I know there is a huge socket made for those spinners for an air impact gun that would work. Someone has pictures, and "where it buy" info for it here.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
I used a 3 lb soft hammer and got one loose but the others are not moving.
I have purchased the Big Freekin Wrench (BFW) from LI Corvette and thought that would solve the problem. I now have enough leverage to turn the wheel on the ground but did not loosen the KO spinner. Put a lot of torque on the spinner and had the tool hit with a 3 pound hammer to shock load the system no success. Mark Schell
amspeak2@gmail.com
I have purchased the Big Freekin Wrench (BFW) from LI Corvette and thought that would solve the problem. I now have enough leverage to turn the wheel on the ground but did not loosen the KO spinner. Put a lot of torque on the spinner and had the tool hit with a 3 pound hammer to shock load the system no success. Mark Schell
amspeak2@gmail.com
If that doesn't work, get a piece of oak wood, lay it on the spinner and smack the wood with a five pound steel sledge. Make sure you're going the right direction. Don't be timid.
When you put the wheels back on make sure the threads and mating faces of the spinners/wheels are clean, burr free and lubricated. I use white grease, others prefer anti-seize.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,200
Likes: 4,187
From: Kannapolis NC
The reason I have to get the wheels off is because the power master cylinder has leaked down and I have to rebuild the master and then bleed the brakes. So I can not use the juice brakes to hold the wheel from turning Parking brake is also weak and will not hold.
Tell me again why you have to take the wheels off to bleed the brakes. I'm not quite understanding the situation.
Tell me again why you have to take the wheels off to bleed the brakes. I'm not quite understanding the situation.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
The reason I have to get the wheels off is because the power master cylinder has leaked down and I have to rebuild the master and then bleed the brakes. So I can not use the juice brakes to hold the wheel from turning Parking brake is also weak and will not hold.
Tell me again why you have to take the wheels off to bleed the brakes. I'm not quite understanding the situation.
Tell me again why you have to take the wheels off to bleed the brakes. I'm not quite understanding the situation.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,200
Likes: 4,187
From: Kannapolis NC
I don't take the wheels off to bleed the calipers either. I connect a tube to the bleeder, run it to a jar and bleed them the old fashioned way. Takes two people, but I leave the wheels on. Maybe I'm misunderstanding the OP's situation.
PS. I also bought a six pound lead hammer from American Hammer so if I want to get them off, I can.
PS. I also bought a six pound lead hammer from American Hammer so if I want to get them off, I can.
Last edited by 65GGvert; Oct 23, 2011 at 08:16 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 182
From: Durham ON
I had the same problem with a stuck spinner. The tire should be on the ground with the full weight of the car on it to keep it from turning or bouncing when you hit it. Check off direction of spinner. Swing hammer toward the ground not the body. I had to use a 8 lb. steel sledge hammer. One hard hit did the trick for me, then raise car to remove spinner and the wheel.
Good luck. Dave
Good luck. Dave
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
If your worried about injuring the spinner, I use a short length of a 2/4 resting on the knock-off and use a big/heavy or whatever sludge hammer an beat the hell out of it......I have been doing this method for years....otherwise forget the board and attack the spinner.....
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Canada's capital
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,476
Likes: 771
From: Kirtland Ohio
Now as others here have said.To remove properly.Remove the pins,if installed,hit the spinners in the correct direction as marked on the spinner with a very large hammer,"****** thumper",Do not be afraid to hit the spinner very hard.I have had good success using a "KO wheel tool" with a long piece of pipe as a torque wrench.I leave the car on the ground.Others have had success taking some weight off of the car.Just remember when reinstalling to mount them correctly and hit them hard.They will be on there for as long as you want them to be there.
Not changing my name just because newbie idiot changes his user name to resemble mine.
Last edited by provette67; Oct 23, 2011 at 12:11 PM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 307
Likes: 1
From: dallas texas
i had the same problem with mine and i eventually resorted to paying about $150 for a wrench from one of the suppliers. i didn't want to damage the spinners. the wrench plus a cheater bar did the trick. good luck, tjs