Safety wiring knock offs

[tbracker]

I'm sure this must have been addressed many times, but I didn't see the subject on the forum currently, so here it goes.
Can anyone give some advise on how to safety wire the spinner on pin drive wheels?
I have been driving for about 1.5 years now (6500 miles) and have never had a problem with the spinner backing off. I use an 8 lb. rubber slap hammer. Haven't found a 10 lb lead hammer that was recommended to me yet. Works fine and I don't mar the wheels.
That said, I know tracks require safety wire and who can argue that it must be more secure.
I've got the wire and the plyers and I have the theory. As with all things there must be some practical wisdom on the subject out there, and that's what I'm looking for.
Some photos would be very illuminating.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by tbracker

Some photos would be very illuminating.

http://performanceunlimited.com/cobr...tructions.html

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by tbracker

I'm sure this must have been addressed many times, but I didn't see the subject on the forum currently, so here it goes.
Can anyone give some advise on how to safety wire the spinner on pin drive wheels?
I have been driving for about 1.5 years now (6500 miles) and have never had a problem with the spinner backing off. I use an 8 lb. rubber slap hammer. Haven't found a 10 lb lead hammer that was recommended to me yet. Works fine and I don't mar the wheels.
That said, I know tracks require safety wire and who can argue that it must be more secure.
I've got the wire and the plyers and I have the theory. As with all things there must be some practical wisdom on the subject out there, and that's what I'm looking for.
Some photos would be very illuminating.

There are two schools of thought:

1. The conventional safety stuff I've seen everywhere says the wire should be applied in the direction that would tighten the nut. So if you are on a clockwise thread (right turn) the wire should be applied to a wheel spoke in the same clockwise direction so as to pull the hub (to prevent it from losening). Some even put a little loop in the middle so that it as it loosens it tightens the cable and the slack goes away.

2. The other school of though is that you apply the wire in the other direction such that loosening provides slack that you can see.

Remember, on the track or on the road, #2 only happens before the drive and after. During the drive #1 always works. While driving the safety wire might even prevent the hub from falling off. The small loop to detect loosening is maybe a good idea but if the shift is sudden it is a weak point and the wire could snap and lose the protection.

In practice safety wires are used to keep the nut tight. Often in places where visual inspection is difficult.

I will be rewiring mine to #1.

[tbracker]

Exactly what the doc ordered. Perfect.

[Silverback51]

Here's mine.

[tbracker]

I like the rubber tube around the spoke to keep the wire from scratching the wheel.
As with all safety wire I think it should keep the nut tight. The opposite direction idea / loosening indicator, doesn't make too much sense to me.

[JBo]

Rick, pass the pop corn and chill another 12 pack, Jim

[csx wnab]

Originally Posted by tbracker

I like the rubber tube around the spoke to keep the wire from scratching the wheel.
As with all safety wire I think it should keep the nut tight. The opposite direction idea / loosening indicator, doesn't make too much sense to me.

if you do the wire in the proper direction , but leave a small arch in the wire, you can tell if the spinner is coming loose by the wire becoming tight.

[Maurice Butler]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

There are two schools of thought:

1. The conventional safety stuff I've seen everywhere says the wire should be applied in the direction that would tighten the nut. So if you are on a clockwise thread (right turn) the wire should be applied to a wheel spoke in the same clockwise direction so as to pull the hub (to prevent it from losening). Some even put a little loop in the middle so that it as it loosens it tightens the cable and the slack goes away.

2. The other school of though is that you apply the wire in the other direction such that loosening provides slack that you can see.

Remember, on the track or on the road, #2 only happens before the drive and after. During the drive #1 always works. While driving the safety wire might even prevent the hub from falling off. The small loop to detect loosening is maybe a good idea but if the shift is sudden it is a weak point and the wire could snap and lose the protection.

In practice safety wires are used to keep the nut tight. Often in places where visual inspection is difficult.

I will be rewiring mine to #1.

Aircraft industry only ever uses #1 and it is under tension, no slack.

NOB's get there butts kicked if they try #2, like running round the hanger with a sign telling everyone they are a dic* head

[Johan]

Originally Posted by csx wnab

if you do the wire in the proper direction , but leave a small arch in the wire, you can tell if the spinner is coming loose by the wire becoming tight.

This is the way we do all ours for racing. The wire will not keep the nut tight but it will keep it from coming off and it is an easy check.

[misfit41]

I would think the left/right threads should keep the wingnut from becoming loose.Although I think you need a lead hammer,I wouldn't think rubber has enough enertia to do the trick.
I have a hard time getting my wires to look right . I see all these safety wires that look like artwork and my look like twist ties on a loaf of bread. I would love any advice I can get on a doing a neat tie.
Tk

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by misfit41

I would love any advice I can get on a doing a neat tie.
Tk

Do you use the dedicated safety wire piers? You clamp them on the ends of the wire and then pull in the middle and they spin around and do it all for you. It's very easy with the pliers. If I had to do it with a set of regular pliers, it would like a crappy twist-tab on a loaf of bread.

[twobjshelbys]

Like I said I decided to rewire mine. My front spinners have wires, rears are gone (although I can see marks where they were wired).

One front tire is correct (pulling to tighten), one is backwards.

I went to Boulder today to get some sweet corn (25c/ear) and brats (99c/lb) and stopped by Home Depot to get the pliers and lead mallet. Thad neither.

So, what is the best place to get the wire/pliers and mallet?

I'd just as well do it as I've decided that I'm going to re-do everything. Due to the unknown origin I'll probably get one of the spinner pullers too rather than take a chance knocking them off the first time. Since the wires are gone on the rear I'm guessing they were pulled at least once.

My speedo is off too so I went looking for the gear. My tires are Goodyear 295/50x15 which are hard to come by here too.

[jagxjr5012]

Originally Posted by tbracker

I like the rubber tube around the spoke to keep the wire from scratching the wheel.
As with all safety wire I think it should keep the nut tight. The opposite direction idea / loosening indicator, doesn't make too much sense to me.

Just another idea..... I used 3M tape and wrapped it around the spoke where I was going to wrap the safety wire and it worked really well....kept the wheel from getting scratched and you really can't see it.
Mike

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

Like I said I decided to rewire mine. My front spinners have wires, rears are gone (although I can see marks where they were wired).

One front tire is correct (pulling to tighten), one is backwards.

I went to Boulder today to get some sweet corn (25c/ear) and brats (99c/lb) and stopped by Home Depot to get the pliers and lead mallet. Thad neither.

So, what is the best place to get the wire/pliers and mallet?

I'd just as well do it as I've decided that I'm going to re-do everything. Due to the unknown origin I'll probably get one of the spinner pullers too rather than take a chance knocking them off the first time. Since the wires are gone on the rear I'm guessing they were pulled at least once.

My speedo is off too so I went looking for the gear. My tires are Goodyear 295/50x15 which are hard to come by here too.

twobjshelbys,

I bought my lead hammer through Finish Line.

http://www.finishlineaccessories.com...hammer&x=0&y=0

I think there's better deals (I believe Harbor Freight offers one).

Safety pliers:

http://www.finishlineaccessories.com...ef97d897f3c5d8

Wire:

http://www.finishlineaccessories.com...ef97d897f3c5d8

BTW - You can also find everything you need and Performance Unlimited.

http://performanceunlimited.com/cobr...ls/hammer.html

[cobra de capell]

Originally Posted by tbracker

I'm sure this must have been addressed many times, but I didn't see the subject on the forum currently, so here it goes.
Can anyone give some advise on how to safety wire the spinner on pin drive wheels?
I have been driving for about 1.5 years now (6500 miles) and have never had a problem with the spinner backing off. I use an 8 lb. rubber slap hammer. Haven't found a 10 lb lead hammer that was recommended to me yet. Works fine and I don't mar the wheels.
That said, I know tracks require safety wire and who can argue that it must be more secure.
I've got the wire and the plyers and I have the theory. As with all things there must be some practical wisdom on the subject out there, and that's what I'm looking for.
Some photos would be very illuminating.

I just ordered a kit from the outfit noted above - Wire, Pliers & Twister - also ordered the Spinner Eaze Lubricant.

I just put new Billboards on my Cobra and for some reason the front tires started to come loose - it was sort of scary, but I noticed it in time - but, it's time to make it safe.

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by JBo

Rick, pass the pop corn and chill another 12 pack, Jim

DAmn, my popcorn machine is down......the safety wire was backwards!!!!!

[mpanten]

you can get the saftey wire from an airplane supply place for a lot less http://www.aircraftspruce.com/

[am6948]

Check on ebay, reasonable pricing new and some used. Prices varied from $9.99 to over $90.00.

am6948

[Ronbo]

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

twobjshelbys,

I bought my lead hammer through Finish Line.

http://www.finishlineaccessories.com...hammer&x=0&y=0

I think there's better deals (I believe Harbor Freight offers one).

Safety pliers:

http://www.finishlineaccessories.com...ef97d897f3c5d8

Wire:

http://www.finishlineaccessories.com...ef97d897f3c5d8

BTW - You can also find everything you need and Performance Unlimited.

http://performanceunlimited.com/cobr...ls/hammer.html

The hammer finishline sells looks like it's from American Hammer, I picked one up on ebay for $25 +10 shipping. (6lb)

The American hammer has a special design that they claim actually tightens the head to the handle as it's used. Also the lady I bought it from said the hammer can be returned to A.H. for head re-casting free of charge for life.

I've seen these also labled "Imperial Hammer", very well made piece. I just picked up the wire and pliers at the Harbour freight store here for somwhere around $35 for both.

I also bought a 4lb composite hammer from Northern tool as the Kirkham guys said they hold up better than the lead ones, since they use these in production they must hold up pretty well.