Frozen knock off spinners

[Carl B.]

Having problems removing western knockoffs from my 66 coupe.Had knock offs about 10 years ago and fronts off 2-3 years ago. I can not loosen any spinner. I'm hammering spinner in proper toward front of car.Also using ****** thumper.

[Mike T.]

Re: Frozen knock off spinners

Carl - Are these the older style Western's that didn't have the so-called 'safety pins'? If so and there's no pin in the way, possibly try some penetrating oil and let it dribble in and hopefully work it's way around the threads for a while before laying into it with the M-Thumper hammer.

[Charles B.]

Re: Frozen knock off spinners

Are you sure that the hubs are on the correct side and you are actually tightening them instead of loosening them?

[Jim L.]

Re: Frozen knock off spinners

I once had one of the spinners on my bride's Grand Sport track car seize up. Broke one ear off pounding on the dang thing.

What eventually worked was the use of a tool I had fabricated to preload the spinner with just over 1000 ft-lbs of loosening torque and simultaneously pounding the bejesus out of the remaining two spinner ears. The attached pictures may give you an idea you can use to get your spinner off.





If you do something similar, you'll want a helper in the car STANDING on the brake pedal. 1000 ft-lbs is more than enough torque to overcome whatever friction the tire has against the pavement.

Jim

[Russ S.]

Re: Frozen knock off spinners

Not an issue if you are going by the direction arrow.

Are you sure that the hubs are on the correct side and you are actually tightening them instead of loosening them?

[Ed H.]

Re: Frozen knock off spinners

For penetrating fluid, try Kroil, or a 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF. I've had good success with Kroil to loosen a very rusted steam fitting.

[Francis F.]

Re: Frozen knock off spinners

Carl.try removing the center cap,pop it off apply your kroil or other fluid each day for a few,Then get one of the tools I use and have Dennis Portka s tool ..tool allows for proper touque of spinner.And after you get them off you would be wise to apply a coating of no sieze to the threads on the hub and also the spinner,this will do two things a)allow you to properly tighten spinner,and B) when it comes time to remove the wheel you should not have a Major problem.I M H O
Francis

[Richard M.]

Re: Frozen knock off spinners

After removing the center cap, I'd put heat on the spinner, then CRC Freeze-Off on the hub.

I'd tackle it this way.....
I'd use a heat gun set on medium to high on the outer areas of the spinner for about a minute or so to expand the metal, then the Freeze-Off to spray the hub liberally for at least 30 seconds, maybe more to shrink it inside the expanded spinner.

I'd bet this would work.

I get Freeze-Off at my local NAPA but most stores now have it as it's a great product. Gary Chestnut wrote a Restorer article some time ago about it, and since then it is my very favorite liquid tool.

Rich

[Carl B.]

Re: Frozen knock off spinners

Thanks for the info been soaking spinners / will try CRC freeze off . When I eventually get spinners off they ain't going back on

[Joe C.]

Re: Frozen knock off spinners

Some people report good results with a "Mother" Thumper 6 pound lead hammer from Cobra Valley.

[Ed S.]

Re: Frozen knock off spinners

I never had a problem with a seized k/o but have had my fill of experiences with other seized threaded fasteners. In addition to soaking them with various types of penetrating oils a technique that I have found that sometimes works is to whack the seized bolt (in this case the k/o spinner) on its head a number of times - this sends a shock wave down the longitudinal axis of the fastener and bolt that goes through the seized threads. You don't have to whack it terribly hard, to the extent that the fastener is disfigured or damaged. Repeated moderate blows to its head will create sufficient shock waves to break the bond just enough to allow the fastener to be turned with force. Good luck.

[Ed P.]

Re: Frozen knock off spinners

Having problems removing western knockoffs from my 66 coupe.Had knock offs about 10 years ago and fronts off 2-3 years ago. I can not loosen any spinner. I'm hammering spinner in proper toward front of car.Also using ****** thumper.

Use PB blaster

[Bill M.]

Re: Frozen knock off spinners

If you arenot going to use the spinners again heat them up with map gas

[Jim L.]

Re: Frozen knock off spinners

Thanks for the info been soaking spinners / will try CRC freeze off . When I eventually get spinners off they ain't going back on

So, have you been successful yet? What actually worked?

[William F.]

Re: Frozen knock off spinners

From reading most posts about knockoffs, thought the problem was usually about how to keep these wheels 0n rather than problems with how to get them off. Lol. I'll pass on knockoffs.