Wire Wheel Spinner Torque

[71 V12]

I have searched the factory workshop manual, but I cannot find detailed anywhere the correct torque figure for the wire wheel spinners.

My car is a S3, however I would assume the value would be the same for all series, can anyone confirm what the correct torque is?

Many thanks,

Kevin

[Heuer]

Between 220lb/ft and 260lb/ft. Basically I put my spinners on and gave them three whacks with the hammer. I then took them off with Sarto's tool and a big torque wrench and checked how tight they were. Many people knock seven bells out of them in the mistaken belief is is better to be safe than sorry but you are then putting a lot of stress on the threads which is simply not necessary. The spinners tighten as the car moves forward anyway so 220ft/lb is quite sufficient.

[Moeregaard]

Back in the 1960s, BMC came out with a service bulletin recommending that wheel nuts be loosened and tightened with the wheel off the ground. They determined that belting the KOs with a hammer with the car's weight on its wheels subjected the spokes to undue stress. It seemed logical enough to me, so this is how I've always done it.

David, you are right about wheel nuts self-tightening. I've only seen one loosen on its own and this was due to the hub be installed on the wrong side of the car.

[71 V12]

Thanks Gents, I'm now in the market for a very large torque wrench!!

[on2wheels]

David,
I have purchased the wooden spinner removal tool from Barratts.
(Gives protection and must add leverage).
I notice you say you give your spinners a whack with a hammer.
Do I need to buy the copper/hide mallett, or will a conventional hammer do?
Nick.

[Heuer]

Nick

Jaguar originally supplied a copper/hide hammer made by Thor which works well but does dink the brass spinners when the copper head is used. Best hammer of all is the Thor lead hammer #7744 which will not cause any marks on the spinners - SC Parts supply them which is just as well as most hardware shops refuse to stock citing for 'elf & safety' reasons. The top lead hammer is one I bought off eBay which also works well. You need to keep the lead clean though.


My experience with the wooden spinner tool has not been good. It is cumbersome, eventually splits and you still need the soft hammer to loosen and finally tighten the spinners. So my recommendation would be 1) Thor lead, 2) eBay lead and 3) Thor hide/copper in that order. You may find a lead shot filled plastic mallet will also work. I would avoid a standard hammer as there will be times, if you are using the wooden thing, when you will need to hit the spinner hard to get it to move. This usually happens in the pouring rain and fading light, obviously.