Proper safety wire SIZE for knock-offs...

[RedBarchetta]

Removed my Trigo's for the first time last night. Not too much trouble, but I lubed them up with a spray of PB Blaster to help them along. Banging those spinners off was a PITA!

Anyway, I have the safety wire pliers and some .041" wire. But the wire I pulled off the spinners is thicker....maybe .051" or slightly larger (I'll put a disc brake mic to a strand tonight and determine exactly).

My question is: "What size safety wire are most of you using on your knock-off rims and spinners?"

Thanks,

-Deano

[mr0077]

Either is fine...I use 0.041"

[CSX 4027]

Please understand that the wire is an indicator as opposed to a definitive for keeping the spinner on. The wires should not be set completely tight but rather with a bit of slack so if the spinner backs off it will actually then tighten the safety wire. This will give you the indicator that you need to know that there is movement.

[RedBarchetta]

Originally posted by CSX 4027


Please understand that the wire is an indicator as opposed to a definitive for keeping the spinner on. The wires should not be set completely tight but rather with a bit of slack so if the spinner backs off it will actually then tighten the safety wire. This will give you the indicator that you need to know that there is movement.

Understood. I already planned to build a slight "loop" into the strand that would help me indicate a loosening situation.

I was just thinking that a thicker wire is more durable and less forgiving.

[427 S/O]

Do you people understand that a steel pin-drive, moving around
(the least little bit) in a aluminum hole, will eat at the aluminum
and you wind up a trash wheel.
Keep everything tight...............

[RedBarchetta]

Originally posted by 427 S/O


Do you people understand that a steel pin-drive, moving around (the least little bit) in a aluminum hole, will eat at the aluminum and you wind up a trash wheel.

Yes we do. I plan to lather up the mating surfaces with plenty of anti-seize and give the spinners some serious whacks before I tie up the safety wire. And then after a quick trip around the block, I'll give them a few more whacks to be certain.

Please let me know if this procedure lacks anything.

[427 S/O]

I've read many post here where some folks say 'leave the safety wire loose', and just couldn't believe it?. If you feel it's necessary to whack the spinners after a short trip, cut the safety wires off and re-do them, I ran about 5000 miles before I had to buy new tires, safety wire was still tight as well as the spinners, fold the ends in the recess of the spinner fingers if your worried about someone cutting themselves and, spread a 'light light' coat of neverseeze on the mating surface of the spinner otherwise, you will be doing some labor intensive cleaning. I did!!!!.

I use .041 wire.

[mr0077]

I don't believe twisted 0.041" (or even 0.051") wire will keep a spinner from coming off...Safety wire on a nut or bolt works, but it's almost "just for looks" (a warning indicator) on the ear of a spinner. The forces at work with the kind of leverage on a wheel spinner can't be compared to the "loosening" forces on a nut (or bolt). Don't rely on the safety wire to keep the spinner on.
Has anyone on the forum known of or personally experienced a wheel coming off that was safety wired...meaning that the wire broke or came loose...or had the wire break and catch it before the wheel came off?

[427 S/O]

Nope!!!!!!!

[Bob In Ct]

Ditto Steve Sunshine. Use the wire as an early warning system. Check it before every ride. I've found that a wire nut on the cut end saves me a lot of cuts when washing the wheels.

Bob

[PatBuckley]

I use safety wire as it was intended - to help in preventing something from coming loose - kind of like what a nylock does.

I use as thick a wire as I can and I make sure that the wire isn't nicked or damaged.

I feel that it is WAY easier to see if the wire has been pulled apart due to a major problem (with the knock-off coming loose) then it is to see if a little bit of slack has been taken out due to an impending problem.

Have you ever tried to pull apart something that is safety wired? Give it a try - then tell me it doesn't hold much.

[GUMBALL928]

When using safety wire, care must be taken to fold cut ends over tightly..........it prevents .020" / .032" / .041" holes in human tissue, as well as the loss of body fluids.....