Lead Hammer vs Dead Blow
 

Put a new set of sneakers on ERA2045. Went with Cooper Cobras replacing 8 year old Avons. Having seen a post or 2 mentioning use of a dead blow rather than lead hammer I decided to try dead blow then use the lead hammer. Got an additional 1/8 turn out of each spinner with the lead. It was clear the last bit locked the wheels tight like an impact. I’ll continue to use lead and believe it’s better than a dead blow.

Yes, I found the same thing. Also, you don't hear the noise change with a dead-blow. At least I don't.

Of course, since the spinners shold self-tighten.....

That's a comparison that is real. Thank you for that.
But it begs the question; "was the weight of each the same?".

No it was not. Dead blow is 4lb 3oz lead hammer 6lb. As Argess said no noise with the dead blow while lead let me know it was done. Just came back from a 20 mile test drive with new rubber. No movement on the spinners. No noticeable difference between Avons & Coopers at cruising speeds. Didn’t try to push the new rubber at all. Also worth noting anti seize is messy stuff.

A big lead hammer is the best approach to avoid losing a wheel.

For some reason, using a lead hammer to take a wheel off is twice as hard as it is to put it on.:cool:

The lead conform to the shape on the strike and is therefore more efficient at transferring more energy to the target

Lead hammer for the car show, buy a puller

No, make your own puller.:cool:

https://i.ibb.co/QNXXCqL/torqmult001.jpg

IMO, going from Avons to Cooper Cobras is a huge step down in both cost and performance. Please be careful.

Agreed….I don’t plan to push the car hard. Avons are really a track tire and dislike anything cold or with moisture. If I ever track the car I’d get an appropriate tire set. Replacement was a decision based upon age. The tires had plenty of tread left.

I use to run cooper cobras on my family van.

5 lbs Lead hammer, hit each ear alternately

Must be a great tire understanding you’d put your families safety first. :)

Deleted post duplicated

While this topic has been beat to death, pun intended, I'll offer a few thoughts from my 65k miles of spinners and pin drive wheels.

Lead hammers work. I tried the dead blow, sorry no cigar. Lead hammer all the way.

I quit running safety wire after the first few years of my time with SPF spinners, 2004-2014. Did secure the spinners and then hit all again after a few mile test ride. Never an issue but did see a wheel come off another owner's car at Carolina Motorsports Park.

When removing or reinstalling, the wheel should be on the ground, maybe not holding the full weight of the car but at least providing some support to the impact. If the wheel is off the ground the suspension is absorbing the hammer blows and the hammer won't be as effective.

I am not a fan of a turning tool for tightening the spinners. I believe that you need the impact of the hammer. If it works for removal that is good.

And a note for the "low maintenance" owners. You really need to pull the spinners once a year or more and reapply new anti-seize. This will help to ease the removal. Saw or heard about many owners that were proud of the longevity of their tires only to struggle with spinner removal.

Anti-seize is nasty stuff and gets to places you don't want it. And now a cheap plug for a friend. Cobra Valley's Spinner-Eaze works, it's clear and way less messy than traditional silver anti-seize. A small bottle lasts almost forever.
Cobra Valley's Chemicals - Spinner Eaze Anti-Seize

Your car, do as you please, but I get to do the same.

Jim

Yep, I've used it exclusively. But, it doesn't last forever. I'm now on my second bottle... granted I'm going on 17 years.:D

Now you need to do a comparison with a 6 lb dead blow.

10-4 on the Spinner-Eaze. Not nearly as nasty as Neverseize. It will work through the theards and sling around on the wheel, unless a super minimal amount is brushed on but even at that, it's much easier to clean off and isn't nearly as visible. I've never figure out how a tiny drop of Neverseize on the tip of a finger can somehow migrate up to the back of your elbow. :eek:

Cobra Valley Spinner 911 works great