knock off torque

[Tim S.]

How tight is tight on knock offs? Not that I have a problem, it has been a couple of years since I had the wheels off of my 65. I had to work my ass off to loosen them. These are original wheels.

What procedure do some of you go by?

Thanks,

Tim

[Jack H.]

Re: knock off torque

While there IS a torque spec (John Hinckley has quoted it based on the assy line's special tool), it's probably more important to follow the proceedure called out in the Shop Manual...

That invokes a repetitive tightening proceedure that I believe few actually heed...

"CAUTION: Tighten wheel locking nuts every 100 miles for the first 500 miles by striking the wings eight hard blows with hammer provided."

Two things here, the reason for the repetitive torque/drive/torque sequence is because this is an alloy wheel that's soft compared to traditional steel wheels. Such are known to flex and flow under actual driving stress. Hence, repetitive torque down addresses the potential for the wheel to loosen a tad as it 'takes shape' against the adaptor.

Second, do NOT use the hammer supplied as suggested! This is really an emergency tool vs. a shop tool. It will deform with use and it won't take very long at all until you're wacking the spinner wings with SHARP/HARD steel center of the hammer...

[Tom H.]

Re: knock off torque

Do a search here. You should see John's suggestion to use the Mother Thumper lead hammer. I think they are 6 pounders. Makes the wheel chore much easier.

[Wayne M.]

Re: knock off torque

While there IS a torque spec (John Hinckley has quoted it based on the assy line's special tool), it's probably more important to follow the proceedure called out in the Shop Manual....

Torque for production (special tool mentioned above ?) is 450 ft.lbs; by far the highest value of any other part. Ref. AIM UPC P48, Sheet 1. Also, the KO maintenance card (glove box) outlines much of what Jack H. says.

[John H.]

Re: knock off torque

Torque for production (special tool mentioned above ?) is 450 ft.lbs; by far the highest value of any other part. Ref. AIM UPC P48, Sheet 1. Also, the KO maintenance card (glove box) outlines much of what Jack H. says.

Wayne -

The plant used a large Ingersoll-Rand 1"-drive impact gun, suspended from an overhead balancer, fed plant air (90 psi) through a 1" hose to apply the 450 ft-lbs. torque through a specially-made 3-ear socket.

Nobody will have one of those at home; the Mother Thumper lead hammer will work just fine.

[David D.]

Re: knock off torque

Is the mother thumper available at most auto parts stores or is there a good source other than the parts store?

[John H.]

Re: knock off torque

Is the mother thumper available at most auto parts stores or is there a good source other than the parts store?

David -

Google "Mother Thumper" and several sources will pop up.

[Joel T.]

Re: knock off torque

For what it is worth, I bought the KO spinner tool from Dennis Potika and use it along with a 5# hand sledge. Works like a champ, and never any damage issues with the spinners. The down side is that it is fairly large and heavy to carry around in the car in case of emergencies...

Joel

[Tom H.]

Re: knock off torque

Wayne -

The plant used a large Ingersoll-Rand 1"-drive impact gun, suspended from an overhead balancer, fed plant air (90 psi) through a 1" hose to apply the 450 ft-lbs. torque through a specially-made 3-ear socket.

Nobody will have one of those at home; the Mother Thumper lead hammer will work just fine.

Hey John !

I always wondered how that was done. Any chance you might have a picture of that rig ?

[John H.]

Re: knock off torque

Hey John !

I always wondered how that was done. Any chance you might have a picture of that rig ?

Tom -

Nope. If I knew in '67-'68 what I'd be doing today, I'd have taken LOTS of pictures back then.