Hi This is my first car with wire wheels.Decided to remove wheels for greasing front end.First spinner no problem but the second one I cannot budge with the piece of wood and mallet.
Is the only way the purchasing the tool off the M.G site.
Also how tight should they gone back on.
Andrew

Hello Brownbaker, first, I assume you are trying to remove the spinner in the correct direction? They are "handed" so look at the direction shown on the spinner.
I always use a Thorex 716 hammer with replacable "plastic" striking faces ( approx £15.00 in Machine Mart ) the copper one in the tool kit can damage the chrome.
As to tightness, you will need to learn that by feel, in anycase re check after a few miles.
Hope this helps.

Hi Andrew,

Recommend getting one of these from the MG Owners Club website. Makes life a whole lot easier for under £50



Frank

Couldn't one use of those hammers with copper on one side and hide/leather on the other?

I realise those hammers are more expensive than the Machine Mart version, but you wouldn't need to have replaceable striking surfaces.

Edit: Come to think of it, couldn't one sew some leather "socks" for the spinner (connected by leather or a piece of string so they don't fall off while hammering) and then hammer with just about any hammer or even a rock.

AQM, you would probably be surprised how quick the leather would let go on the edges. Also the hide on those two-sided hammers doesn't last very long if the hammer is used in anger.

"Original equipment" on my old 4/4 was a 10 lbs. copper Hammer.

In my opinion best choice is the tool from the MG site, which is also available on the website of angloparts
http://www.anglodesign.be/images_ap/Toolcatalogue_2005.pdf

Frank

The MG Toool is good- I recently bought one and have just used to take all four wheels off and then replace them- but you have to guard against it marking the spinner itself when it is used. I tried rubber but have now come up with a small square of chamois leather which I just slip over the spinner before I fit the tool.
So far as hide-headed mallets are concerned, I agree that the hide side does 'let go' but a way around this is to buy a hgood wuality hammer which has replacebale faces ( I use a 'Thor' and find it excellent)

G

Another vote for the MG tool -- I stuck some old bicycle tube rubber to the tool to stop it marking the spinners - perhaps Gerwyns trick of some thin chamois on the spinners would be better - Thanks G - I'll try that next time

Cheers!

If you have the octagonal spinners, the tool from MWS is just the ticket, solid brass, low cost (£14), fits in the tool tray, and can be used with a nylon or hide hammer.


http://www.mwsint.com/Shop/Details.asp?Id=KAS42

Nigel

Nigel,
Isn't the problem here that what we are dealing with ISN'T the normal octagonal( ie non -eared) spinners When I had these, I used the MWS tool and found it excellent but once I changed to spinners with ears, the MWS became redundant?
Cheers.
G

I use a rubber mallet that has metal shot inside of the head. Purchased from Halfords and cannot damage the spinner or the wheel rim if you make a mistake

Thanks for all the advice.I have bought a Thor leather/copper hammer.Will try that before the tool.Having said that the tool was only £20 more!
Andrew

The OP didn't state whether eared or not, and the MG shop sells both types - eared and octagonal

Nigel

Hello all, Just to say that I used my new MGOC spinner spanner yesterday and was not terribly impressed. On tightening ,I used all my weight (75kg) and still was able to tighten them more with a hammer. Plus ,in undoing the spinners I managed to wrench my back so I am doubly dis-chuffed. I think that I will fit an extension to the spanner to see if I can exert more pressure otherwise I will start to think that I wasted my money. Ho hum. Meabh.

Sorry to hear of your woes, Maebh. In fairness perhaps I should have added to my recommendation that I have a hefty 16.5 stone of lard to help the spanner both tighten and loosen the spinners!!!!!

Cheers!


PS As I am in the process of a weight loss program(used to be 17st) I'll let you know what the scene is when I reach Target (15st)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Robbie - is weight loss the answer to faster acceleration times? Meabh.

Meabh, as I told before in an other thread. Overtightening the spinners makes no sense, they are self-tightening when the car is driven. My spanner has a 3 ft. long extension (measured from the spinner) and I (65 kgs.)can tighten and undo the spinners without harming my spine.

Frank

Okay frank, Thanks for that. Meabh

How about this one.
Got it from an MG-owner yesterday.
He has no car with whire wheels any longer and I will need this for the twoeared spinners on my Roadster.
I think has has made it himself with a cost of just a few bobs.
Ken.

Dont forget to grease the spleen on each hub , and what ever you do dont use your finger , an ice lolly stick is perfect then throw it in the bin . I once used my finger and cut so bad I can still feel the pain .

Aren't the spinners on a roadster too deeply recessed for that design to work? It would work on a 4/4 though.

Being a bit of a Luddite, my solution to spinners has always been a big (2.5 lb) rubber mallet, which I keep on the floor behind the drivers' seat.

As they would say in these parts . . . ."proper job"

I also have the MG Tool & Leather protector finger. (winter job is to fine grind the pressure edges to be 'rounded'). It works a treat, if a bit on the large side.

I suppose if one is concerned about the weight of it, then an afternoon with a large drill bit could reduce it a little and make it look more sporty at the same time

As a wearer of Varifocals, it is a bit like that old 'Bi Focals' Golfing Joke, when bent over I see a big spinner and a little spinner. Which one would I have to give that 'Big Clout' with the old 'Mallet'?

Method I a 2kg leadhammer.



Method II a steel tool.



Method III a homemade wooden tool ( perfect )



Cheers Rudy.

Hi Rudy,

A Great set of photos.

Problem with the Roadster is the deeper set spinners on those wide wheels. It is easy to hit the rims when going for the spinner with a mallet. The MG tool compensates for the offset nicely. Middle image.

The best tools for removing spinners are from Oldtimertools:

http://www.oldtimertools.de/en_index.html

Greetings Jens

That looks excellent; plus as an "oldtimer" I love the name of the company.

Rudy, do you really have all three types of spinner on your car?

When I purchased the box of parts from which I renovated my 1935 MG PA it came with a tool! which was ideal for removing the two eared spinners which are exactly as those on my 4/4 Sport.
It is a piece of laminated wood about 1" thick, propeller shaped 20" long in the centre of which is a hole cut through the same shape and size of the spinner. This can be placed over the spinner and hand pressure is almost adequate to tighten or loosen, with the addition of a tap from a copper mallet. It can be reversed to use on the opposite side. No damage is done to the spinner.
_____________
Jack

Now THAT is a good idea!

Those are readily available from the likes of Heart of England etc. Got mine from there and its made by MWS, makers of the Morgan wheels.

I've used one of these for years as well.

Actually I have 4 types of spinners on my car, here is the fourth.
A Borrani spinner together with a very heavy special tool, both extremely rare.

What comes as standard with a new car?

I don't think the factory can sell spinners. I thought they became illegal on new cars a long time ago.
I am sure someone here can comment on that.

I just saw this on Jay Leno's garage
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/knockoff-spinner-tools/1376635/

They won't fit them at the factory for European export because they can not be homologated on new cars for pedestrian safety reasons but they still sell them on the Plus 4 SS (only RHD) and you can buy them and fit them yourself, just take them off (in Europe) and fit the standard approved hex nuts if you are taking the car for a control.

MGB's stopped having eared spinners in the early 70's I recall. Most went to the USA so that's probably why.
The Jay Leno tool is very similar to the one that Phil Ledgerwood sells for the hex nuts.

True that for homologation purposes they cannot be fitted to a new car for France - however there is nothing to stop you as a private individual in France from fitting them as an aftermarket accessory (in the same way that the car must be delivered sporting the delightful airbag steering wheel, but it can be replaced with a Mota Lita or similar once you have taken delivery). So fear not, you need not replace your spinners prior to venturing across the channel....

What I intended to say is that if the car has to have an inspection, similar to the MOT test, then it may be safer to fit the standard hex nut. Actually I suspect most examiners would not even know, or care, that the car can not be homologated with (eared) spinners.

I'm sorry if anyone thought I was suggesting the spinners should be changed simply if one is crossing the channel.

I never knew that Morgan fitted airbags!

Ruud, do you really use Borrani spinners on steel wire wheels? My Borrani spinners don't have the same angle as the "Dunlop" spinners (55 versus 60 degrees, I think). BTW the chrome on my Borrani spinners is the worst quality I ever saw. Viva Italia.

Frank

@ Frank, that was just a joke, the Borrani spinners are from my Maserati.