Question: Lead knock-off hammer

[bwing]

Can anyone tell me how long the lead hammers for removing the spinners last? The '66 I just purchased did not come with a hammer so I ordered one from a catalog. I recently took the wheels off to examine the brakes, rotors, and calipers then put the wheels back on. The hammer is toast now. I tightened the knock-offs per the manual, hitting them 8 HARD times to "lock" the spinner. It's going to get costly to replace the hammer every time the wheel is removed.

Another old thread mentioned the use of locking pins to ensure that the spinner will not back off. I believe I have original KO's and cannot find a location for the pins. I'm paranoid that the spinners will/may loosen while driving.

Lastly, in the older thread, a commentor spoke of another type of hammer...a plastic bead filled hammer. Does anyone know where to pick one of these up and are they longer lasting than the lead hammers?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[JohnZ]

The lead hammer furnished with the car is for one-time roadside emergency use. What you need is a "Muther-Thumper" five or six-pound hammer - a REAL lead hammer. Google "Muther-Thumper" and you'll get hits on where to buy them - all the Cobra guys use them.

If the wheels are indexed correctly on the adapter pins (they will go on ten different ways, and five are wrong), the drive holes in the wheels aren't "egged out", and you use a little anti-seize on the threads and on the conical interface between the spinner and the wheel, five or six good whacks with a REAL lead hammer will tighten the spinners nicely and they won't come off.

Put a pair of small index marks on each wheel (on the spinner and on the cone on the wheel) as a visual check with a Sharpie; as long as the marks are aligned, the spinner hasn't moved.

 

[bwing]

JohnZ,

Thanks for the advice. I'll check on-line for a "Muther Thumper" , sorry but can't help but laugh. Marking the spinner and cone is a good idea also...thanks........Brian

 

[bwing]

The lead hammer furnished with the car is for one-time roadside emergency use. What you need is a "Muther-Thumper" five or six-pound hammer - a REAL lead hammer. Google "Muther-Thumper" and you'll get hits on where to buy them - all the Cobra guys use them.

JohnZ,

Googled Muther Thumper and got a Cobra site. Ordered TWO lead hammers @ $38 ea. Will keep one for a spare and hopefully will never have to use it.

Brian