Spinner Removal
Spinner removal can be a particular challenge if the spinners have not been off the car for a long period of time. Heat and sharp blows from a proper lead hammer usually does the job, but in extreme cases, a better mouse trap is needed.
This is my hammer after an unsuccessful attempt to remove spinners that had not been off in 6+ years
Thinking a tool was the answer led to this tool that can be used with an impact gun.
Unfortunately, this tool was a failure. It couldn't even remove a well serviced spinner
The next attempt was this aluminum pipe and a leverage bar
Unfortunately, no matter how long the bar, this tool also failed to remove the spinner. What I found was that there was no way to hold the wheel/tire from turning. I was concerned that if I tried to lock it up with the brakes, I may mess up the alignment. I also tried setting the car down on a 2x6 strapped to the tire, using the weight of the car and the strap to keep the tire from turning. I cracked the 2x6 in half
This is one solution that actually worked. An oak 3x3 and 16lb sledge
The ends of the 3x3 are wrapped in stainless steel so it would not splinter. The biggest problem with this solution is that it is a two man operation. One person holds the 3x3 in place while the other swings the sledge. Using a felt tip pen, draw a line on the wheel and spinner so you can see your progress. Heat the spinner hub between the wings with an acetylene torch. After a few hits on one spoke, move to another. It worked, but there had to be a better way.
Thinking of the mechanical advantage of a gear puller, it finally dawned on me that if I could work the spinner against the wheel. This was my first attempt.
Not anything I would recommend, but it worked! You need to leverage the wheel against the spinner.
Keeping the leverage idea in mind, I went through a ton of designs on paper and prototypes.
This is an evolution from the first working prototype on the left to a current design on the right. If I only made one tool for myself, the tool to the left would have been the end of the story, but I quickly found that I was not the only one that wanted a tool. I would be making more. The major change from the first tool on the left was in what I call the "shoe", the piece that pulls on the spinner ear. It was made of steel on the first 4 designs and was very difficult to make. Although the changes have been many, finding a nylon material to make the shoe as seen to the right was what really made this successful.
This tool is sold exclusively by Cobra Valley where you can read all about it and view videos of it in action
Click here to go to Cobra Valley