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If I had a Hammer and other dumb stuff

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Rick G

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Just got off the Moss sight ordering a new knock off hammer as mine is now destroyed from overuse. How you say.......well after a flat last week, I decided to order new tires and tubes for my 60 BT7. I drove to the dealer and we proceeded to change the tires (I watched so they would not do anything stupid). The left side tires came off easily, but the right side just didn't want to budge! For over an hour we took turns smacking the knockoffs and only managed to turn them three revolutions..even adding some WD 40 to the process. Having destroyed my hammer, we were sitting on the floor exhausted when this elderly gentlemen walks out of the waiting room into the garage and exclaims "I can't watch anymore, your turning them the wrong way!" I (we) never thought about having to tighten opposite the wheel rotation...you learn something everyday when you are a novice British car owner.
 
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I (we) never thought about having to tighten opposite the wheel rotation...

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Great story! (you will be able to laugh about that one for a long time!

Hint: If you look closely, there should be lettering on the knockoff that says "undo" with arrow. I hope you didn't damage the threads/cones on the hub and/or knockoff. You should only tighten to the point where the knockoff doesn't move anymore. Continued pounding is not needed because they self-tighten when driving forward. A good trick is to make a small line (with sharpie pen) on the knockoff and wheel. That way you can visually see if the knockoff has moved.

I prefer to use a 3 lb. plastic dead blow hammer (lead shot inside) to tighten/loosen the knockoffs. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif

Cheers,
John
 
Rick,

Great stuff - you just made my day. Now all wwekend when I screw up and tighten when trying to loosen I'll think of you story and just laugh to myself. Thanks! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Great story! Half the battle is being able to laugh at yourself. At least you didn't take a torch to the knockoff!
 
Great anecdote. You'd like to think that the folks in a TIRE STORE might have at least heard about splined hubs and knock-offs. The scariest part of your tale is the three turns tighter. Are you sure it wasn't maybe one turn? I won't tell you about the time (when I was a very green mechanic) that I mistook inch pounds of torque for foot pounds (the poor stud didn't have a chance ).
 
Rick,

My knockoffs have "undo" arrows on them. Anyway what tires did you end up getting? Tire choice and availability have gotten a great deal off discussion of late on the other Healey list.

Tracy
 
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Rick,

what tires did you end up getting? Tire choice and availability have gotten a great deal off discussion of late on the other Healey list.
---------------------------------
They sure have and I am wondering where I will go as I have about 5-7K worth of tread left on my present Michelin ZX's in 175-15 which are not available either now or, according to someone at Coker, in the near future.

I'd like to stick as close as possible to the diameter of the 175's--the Gillett Wide Tracks that Alan Hendrix is selling seem to fill the bill and I've read a few positive comments. There is also a Michelin 165 XAS available from Coker with about a 25.6 diameter--these tires were very common on high-performance Euro sedans (BMW, Peugeot, etc) during late '70s and early '80s and I wonder if they would be appropriate for our cars?

Any opinions or comments will be appreciated.
 
Actually, I did notice the arrows after everyone brought that to my attention. I guess I am not too observant, or the eyesight is really starting to fail. Anyway I got the Gillette (sp) Widetrack tires. Have not driven enough to make a determination, but they look and feel pretty good on the car. Very similar to the Dunlops they replaced in terms of profile. 4 tires, mounted and balanced (with tubes) came to $240. I thought that was a good price.
 
Rick:

The Gillete wide track 165 is an excellent replacement tire. If it matters the speed rating for the tire is higher than Michelin ZX 175s.

I have a set of Michelins ZXs on painted W/Ws and recently purchased a set Gilletes on chrome W/Ws. Ride and handling characteristics are excellent enough so that my wife even looks forward to rides in the Healey.

The poor ride quality of the Michelins is most likely attributed to the reproduction Dulop wire wheel rather than the tire itself. That's why I'm keeping the set.

Have fun driving your Healey. GONZO
 
thirty four years ago i was nineteen had a beautifull tr4 irs.needed to rebuild front end,and did so in order to sell it,came out great nice and clean,all new parts,i did sell it to a gentlman and his son,2 hours later i got a phone call and i was being told that the wheels came off the front of the car about 12 miles from my house,guess what i did? daahaa!!!!
 
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