Anybody out there use a KO wheel wrench? Do they work very well? Do you still need to seat the spinners with a hammer? I'm looking at buying a used triangular-style unit with the urethane lining, but don't know if it's worth the $. Advise welcomed.
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Re: C2 KO wrench pros/cons?
Dan -- I'll be interested to hear the responses; tired of whacking these things on and off; my original KO hammers are down to the rim. The idea of the KO wrench appeals to me -- combined with a crow-foot attachment and a torque wrench, one should be able to duplicate design "bubba-factory" installation with ease. -
Re: C2 KO wrench pros/cons?
Dan, Wayne,
I used one a few years ago that I bought from Dennis Portka. When I tried to use
the tool to remove a set of knock-offs that had been put on the old fashion bubba-way, I found that I couldn't get the knock-offs off using the KO removal tool. I eventually resorted to the lead hammer directly against the spinners to get them off and I wound up selling the triangular removel tool since it didn't work for me. Now maybe if the knock-off had been installed using the removal tool, I would have been able to get them off using the same removal tool. I never tried this test.
GaryComment
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Re: C2 KO wrench pros/cons?
When I purchased my 65 coupe last fall, the previous owner included one of the knock-off wheel wrenches. It came with the reversible urethane insert. I found as stated in one of the previous responses that it didn't work to remove the wheels. While it might remove a wheel that where it was used to install the wheel, that would probably be due to the wheel spinner not being properly tightened. It could also be that I don't know the proper method to use it, but from all the advice I've recieved, you want to be sure that the spinners are on tight. I'm not willing to take a chance, so I don't use the specialty wrench.Comment
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I consider it essential
The way to use this tool is with a hand sledge hammer. You increase the leverage by extending the tool handle. You can then hit on the tool handle with a 5 pound sledge and not damage your spinner. It's also possible to orient the handle so you're not swinging the sledge close to the body.
After KO wheels have been in place for years, they can become impossible to get off with the stock lead hammer. The worst case I've encountered was a '66 with reproduction wheels. They hadn't been off they car in a decade. We had to use 4 guys to get each wheel off: one to sit in the driver's seat and hold the brake down (hard), one to hold the tool on the spinner, and two to push on the heavy gauge 6' cheater pipe we had slipped over the tool handle to increase leverage. All this power got the spinners off only after bending the cheater pipe and the tool handle several times. And yes, the car was on the ground, the engine was in gear, and the parking brake was full on too.Comment
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Re: I consider it essential
So much for loose KOs. If they are put on correctly, they will not come off.Comment
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Re: C2 KO wrench pros/cons?
I have used several, it becomes a three person job, one to sit in the car and apply the brake, one to hold the wrench on the spinner and one BIG guy to apply the pressure.
From my experience it will still require the impact of a hammer to insure sufficient torque to the spinner. Removal usually requires a hammer to loosen also, save your money and buy the baddest dead blow mallet you can find
Just my opinion
Best of Luck
jerComment
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Re: What is correct torque?
I know about the practical methods of installing the knockoffs, but does anyone know what the correct torque should be? I have the Dennis tool and it addapts very well to a torque reading. It's possible to put a two foot cheater on it and put a fat old man on the end of it to get the proper torque. Any enginners or old plant folks out there? JerryComment
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Re: What is correct torque?
I believe I have seen 600 ft-lbs quoted as the desired torqueBill Clupper #618Comment
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Re: What is correct torque?
My '63 AIM says 450 lb-ft.
DukeComment
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Re: Thanks..Now I can torque away! *NM*
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Re: What is correct torque?
Hey, Duke is that for a two bar or a three bar spinner?Comment
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Re: What is correct torque?
Wayne
For two bars you divide by 2/3
jerComment
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Re: What is correct torque?
Actually that was for the six flat nut (with simulated knockoff, of course) that was one of the many design iterations, along with the 36" long accordian wrench that was also used as a lever to jack up the car and place on the factory supplied wood block.
In all seriousness, once the KOs went into production in '64 does anyone know how the plant installed them. My suspicion is that they had some kind of special tool to actually torque them rather than beating them with a hammer.
DukeComment
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