Knock Off Confusion

[Joel T.]

Hi,

The other day I read the thread which dealt with knock-off wheels. I went back and read it again this morning and I think I am still confused. One person said that the right hand threaded spinner goes on the drivers's side and the left hand on the paassenger's; OK. Then someone else said that the "Off" arrow should point COUNTER to the normal rotation, so as to tighten normally.

My repro KO's have been loosening as I have been driving, so I went out to the garage and checked.

I have the right hand threaded spinners on the driver's side, etc. However the "off" arrow points IN the direction or normal rotation as opposed to COUNTER. So when I am standing along side the car and look down at the top edge of the spinner, the "off" arrow is pointing to the front of the car.

I hate to ask this question again, but which is correct??

Thanks, Joel

[Daniel C.]

Re: Knock Off Confusion

Joe, Rule of thumb is tighten to the rear, no matter what side you are on.

[Stephen P.]

Re: Knock Off Confusion

Tighten to the rear is correct. The 1965 Corvette Owners Guide states the following on page 34 for KO's:

"Left wheel nuts are removed in a counterclockwise direction. Right wheel nuts are removed in a clockwise direction."

The KO spinners have "OFF" and an arrow engraved on surface. Make sure the arrow points to the front on both sides.

[Mike McKown]

Check the drive pin holes in your wheels

and make sure they are not egg shaped allowing radial play between the wheels and hub drive pins. If you have play here, discard the wheel(s) or have them drilled and bushed to the correct size. If you don't, you'll lose one sooner or later.

[Mike McKown]

PS

I don't see where it makes a difference which side is which. Brake torque acts against the wheel/hub union in one direction, engine torque in the other. In any case, if the spinner is tight and the drive pins snugly fit the holes in the wheels, it can't really act in either direction. The spinner merely provides the clamping force, nothing to do with rotational forces.

[Philip C.]

Re: PS Good Point

Good point but brake force is applied to all wheels, engine is not. I always mount them off to the front, hard braking would seem to tighten them. I also mark the hubs in line with the tire valve so the wheels get mounted back on in he same place on the hub it came off from.I use a big lead hammer and I mean use, they are on tight.Two bar type need a little extra they dont have as much leverage with the small ears. I mark the spinner and cone with a marker, and check it everytime I take one out. A little confidence maker Phil 8063