"Protecting your investment" with
Knockoff Spinner Tools
Fits three eared spinners and two eared Spinners for wire wheels
Sarto Rocheleau
PO Box 477
Cotati, CA 94931
United States
ph: 707-481-6700
fax:
alt:
sarto477
Lotus Elan
These spinners are unique only to the Elans.
ENGLISH SADDLE COW HIDE LEATHER is used and is tanned the old fashion way for durability.
Lotus spinner on a Panasports wheel.
Lotus Elan Sprint.
No ticket-- This was at a Tiburon Classic Car show.
This three eared spinner is unique to the early 60's Lotus Elans.
Part number # 300 Price $139.00 US Dollar
After 60+ years of using a hammer to beat spinners on, this new tool protects any metal to metal contact by using leather liners. You'll never have to beat on your spinners with a hammer. Just use a one inch socket and a breaker bar or by using a torque wrench, you'll know what torque was safely applied to secure your wheels.
You can see how close the spinner is to the wheel. Hitting your spinners with a full hammer swing could easily chip your powder-coated wheels, mark your chrome spinners, glance off and hit a newly painted body.
The leather is from Old English Saddle Leather tanned the old fashion way for durability and can be easily replaced. The leather is pre-torque to set the leather into the shape of our lotus spinners.
Details on how simplicity works!
Just two pieces are used, a solid hex shaft is milled. The tool's shape is cut out of a steel plate and die pressed into shape.
The 1" hex shaft is pressed through the steel plate and welded, so the weld is not the only thing holding it in place.
To protect from rust, it has been flash chrome protected. Over hanging leather and brass hardware prevents accidental contact, scratching the wheels
Th
e leather protects all metal to metal contact.
Notice there is just enough space between the spinner and the metal portion of the tool, allowing the leather to cushion and protect the spinner without cutting the leather.
The tool tightens on the spinner as more torque is applied and pulls the spinner into the back of the leather protected tool.
The tool’s metal tips grip the spinner ears and cannot be pushed any closer to the wheel.
This tool is designed to perfectly fit the lotus Elan spinners.
Blocking the wheels will stop the wheel from spinning under torque.
The manufacturer's suggested method of securing spinners.
Its a guess of how much torque has been beat on the spinners. Trying to remove over tighten spinners, in this high risk method, seems to be one of the biggest complaints. With an occasional replacement of a lead hammer.
Jay Leno at BigDogGarage has reviewed two of my Knockoff spinner tools and surprised me with a video segment on Knockoff Spinner Tools. Click here to view.
Torque settings
Lotus was the only car manufacturer, I could fine that printed a torque setting for securing spinners. Their manuals showed 160 to 180 and a later manual showed 200 to 220 ft/lb of torque. I use 190 ft/lbs of torque with no problems. Getting over torque wheels off can be a real chore.
TIPS, before you use the tool for the first time, know that your spinner MAY be way over tightened.
Loosen the spinner the old fashion way, with your hammer, or you may scar the leather if they are frozen tight. After that, using the proper torque, your spinners can be removed without any problems.
INSTRUCTION
To get a spinner on or off, place the knockoff tool on the spinner and you will see that the leather holds it on, freeing both hands. Blocking the wheels will stop the wheel from spinning under torque.
Make sure the tool is flat and even on the spinner's face before applying full force. Apply a little force at first and the tool will center itself, then you can apply full force. The leather pads can take the torque and will last. Mine are 6 years old and still look good.
New leather pads can be purchased if there is a need. I have only replaced 3 sets out of over 300. Click here for replacements
Attach my 1-inch socket, that is supplied, on the 1-inch hex shaft of the tool. Using a breaker bar or a torque wrench, place it at the 2:30 or the 10:30 position, for maximum torque leverage.
If you are pulling or pushing on the breaker bar at odd angles, It would be harder to gauge the force to tighten the spinner safely.
I use a 22-inch, 25 to 250ft/lb, reversible, ratcheted action torque wrench. Even though a breaker bar worked fine, the ratcheted head of a torque wrench made it easier to stay in the maximum leverage angle without having to reposition the 1” socket. Hearing the click, you'll know your spinners are secured at the proper tightness.
Some torque wrenches only torque in one direction, even though they say it is reversible. I tested several by setting the torque at 50 lbs and tried it on both sides of the car, just to make sure I heard the click at 50 lbs.
Greg Paris produced the Club Elite Newsletter and touched Lotus enthusiasts worldwide with Technical info, stories and events. Six years ago I had the honor of having him review my two eared tool for his Lotus Elite type 14. His story helped me focused on how important it was to know the proper torque had been applied. He later acquired a Lotus Elan coupe and used my three eared Elan tool. Here is a link to his article below.
file:///Users/sartorocheleau/Desktop/Knock-off Greg Paris news letter.pdf
Sarto Rocheleau
PO Box 477
Cotati, CA 94931
United States
ph: 707-481-6700
fax:
alt:
sarto477
