knock off wheels

[Ed Hickey]

Thanks to everyone for the answers on "replacing tires". I now have new tires mounted, balanced etc. for under $300.00. The wheel weight are on the inside too.

The next question is; Should I install the little safety pins to keep the knock off spinner from unwinding? Some of the grooves in the hub don't line up with the grooves on the spinner when the spinner is hammered on tight. Now what? Is there a shim or something to get the grooves to line up? If I get a flat on the road, how do you get the pins out?

This is my second Vette. The first had mag wheels. I hope these questions don't sound too dumb.

thanks,

Ed

[Jon S.]

Re: knock off wheels

It's been a while since I've looked at mine, but I don't recall having trouble getting at least one pair of grooves lined up (with a little tapping of the hammer) to insert the pin. The pins I got didn't slide in all the way, there was enough sticking out that you could grab on to and pull. If shifting of the knockoff spinner causes the pin to be stuck in there, you can tap the spinner with the hammer (use the lead hammer or a rubber mallett to avoid damaging the spinner - and I still wrap it with a thick rag before I start rapping on it) to loosen it up.

Somewhere along the line I also got stainless steel pins to replace the soft aluminum ones that came with the wheels. I can't recall where I got them now.

Jon #10673

[Wayne W.]

Re: knock off wheels

Knock the #$@%^$ out of them and put the pin in the one that lines up. They are drilled so one should. If not, knock the $%#%^&& out of it again untill one does. Get them tight. Don`t make the mistake that just because it has pins it dosent need to be tight.

[Tom B.]

Re: knock off wheels

Ed,

Wayne is exactly right. Hammer the spinners on tight. The pins are added safety, but they are only ONE (and the last) of prior steps to correctly install and use the wheels.

I know it has been done before, but it's foolish for anyone to recommend that you ignore a built in safety feature just because they or someone else have done so successfully. You need to think of not only your safety but the safety of others around you.

Also, this is one time that it is EXTREMELY important for you to look in the Archives. There has been information posted several times how to correctly install the wheels, drive and re-tighten the spinners, and then install the pins. It also includes information to make sure you have the correct adaptors and spinners on the appropriate LEFT / RIGHT sides of the car that they belong on. TBarr #24014

[Kid_Again]

Re: knock off wheels

Under no circumstances should you drive your car without those pins. When I first got my coupe, I hammered the crap out of those spinners to make sure there were no problems....didn't know what those funny little slots were for. A bunch of hard passes later and I heard a "thunk" in the back end. One rear spinner was lose and the wheel was "a wobblin." NOT good.

Here's what I suggest. Take the spinners OFF and coat everything with anti seize grease ("everything" being the inside and outside threads and both mating surfaces of the cone). I then whack hell out of each spinner by banging with a 20# mallet on an old piece of tire protecting the spinner. I suggest using only aluminum pins as there WILL be a time when you have to drill those guys out (been there...done that).

good luck

[Tom B.]

Re: Safe knock-off wheel driving

Kid,

Knock-off wheels can be safely driven without the pins. The originals don't have them, and as for the reproductions I never recommend that someone ignore the added built in safety feature of using pins.

Knock-off wheel failure doesn't happen due to the wheels themselves, it happens because they weren't installed correctly. And that usually means any of the following: the LEFT / RIGHT adaptors are mounted on the wrong side of the car, the adaptors are not bolted tightly to the hub assembly, the wheel is inappropriately mounted on the adaptor, or the spinner is not tightened enough. There are correct and appropriate ways to do what I just mentioned and as I recommended to Ed, they have been posted more than once in the Archives.

Additionally, the biggest "mis-fortune" of knock-off wheels is the lack of periodic checks for a secure fit. It needs to be added to the list of routine maintanence to anyone that uses them. They should not be thought of as a "mount-them and forget-them" type option or application. TBarr #24014

[Kid_Again]

Re: Safe knock-off wheel driving

Tom:

Good advice...especially about the periodic re-tightening.

First, I'm a nervous 'kinda guy. I look at it this way....if an engineer figured some thing 'oughta go one way or the other, I'll take the benefit of his education and experience.

I'm also colored about the "legends" that one hears from others in this hobby. It's been "said" that the original KO wheels had a problem of running off the hubs...if, in fact, that's true, I suspect what you describe is what happened...the wheels were installed in the wrong direction.

Beyond that, I have personal experience with an owner of a '65 BB who DID have a wheel fall off. The wheels were installed in the correct sense, tightened adequately, but he did not have the safety pins installed. I saw the car for myself, out of prurient interest....everything looked fine...except for the pins

I think I'll just use the pins and worry less.....undoubtedly just plain superstition

[Tom B.]

Re: Safe knock-off wheel driving

Hi Kid,

I agree with you. Even with all that I've mentioned, I'm completely paranoid myself about the tightened spinners, but I love the knock-offs. The times I've had my original set in use I always check them. I've yet to find one loose, but I'm still waiting for that first time for everything. If I had the safety pins I know I would still check the spinners and wheels, but probably not nearly everytime I drive, as I have with my originals. TBarr #24014

[Jerry Clark]

Re: knock off wheels

Hi Kid:

I mean no offense here, believe me, but you are seriously effecting the impact of your tightening method by using the rubber to protect the spinner wing. The cushioning of the rubber is wonderful for the knock off but you may be better off with a heavy soft mallet for safety's sake.

The knock off is one of those ideas taken out of context, designed for quick release in racing applications originally it was brought into the showroom to tempt wannabe be racers and lets face it, they are beautiful and the wannabes loved them, hell, everybody loved them. However they were designed to be hit hard with something that would impact with enough force that they wouldn't come off until an equal force was applied in the opposite direction with NO regard to the cosmetics. Protect them but do it with something harder than rubber yet softer than the spinner.

I am a worrier also.

jer

[Dave Ware]

Re: knock off wheels

Jerry,

Good advice about using something between the hammer and the spinner which might render the hammer blow less effective. If one wants to protect the spinner, you can use a small piece of 3" x 3" oak between the hammer and the spinner, but I would still finish the tightening with the good old lead hammer directly on the spinner. I would much prefer maring the spinner to taking out the quarter panel or maybe worse. I also use a permanent marker to index the spinner to the hub cover so I can see any movement of the spinner.

#28082

[Kid_Again]

Re: knock off wheels

All good advice here.

In fact, I've used a 25# lead brick (try finding those at Eckler's!) to great effect in tightening (or loosening) the KO's. You're right, the "feel" of the tightening sequence IS significantly different with direct strikes.

I rationalize the hammer/old tire method by constantly checking the tightness of each spinner...about every 100 miles or so...

I just bought a spinner tool that works extremely well...borrowed it once and fell in love with it. It's triangular shaped with an attached lever, red reversible isert for the spinner. Once you install it per his instructions, the spinner stays tight AND is easy to remove. If anyone's interested, I'll post the name/phone number. This guy does know his knock off wheels.

Again, it's good to see there's a fair amount of concern about how to do the KO's the correct way.