TomS Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 So I thought I'd stick the new wheels on this evening after work, jacked the car up, took the wheel off and then realised I needed to take the spacer off for a PCD adaptor I've got for the new wheels. I didn't realise they'd not be 1/2" or 1/4" so both torque wrenches, breaker bar and extensions that I own couldn't be used! Are they 3/8" on the wheel spacers? And how do you get them off without having the wheel hub spin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT350GT4 Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Handbrake? Or get someone to apply the brakes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomS Posted May 1, 2012 Author Share Posted May 1, 2012 Handbrake was on and the wheel hub was moving. Girlfriend didn't fancy getting into the car whilst it was in the air The only wrench I've got is a piddly little thing so it was impossible to move any of the nuts. Need a breaker bar and then I suppose torque wrench for putting them back on as I don't fancy them being lose! Just wondered what they are as 1/4" and 1/2" didn't fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT350GT4 Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 What about applying brake with hands? I can't think of any other way tbh, am sure the experts will be here soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 don't forget to put some copper slip on the backs of the spacers when you put them on to avoid them welding themselves on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomS Posted May 1, 2012 Author Share Posted May 1, 2012 Ah will do! Need to find somewhere I can get tools tomorrow as I want to get the wheels on asap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zugara Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Ah will do! Need to find somewhere I can get tools tomorrow as I want to get the wheels on asap Get to Halfords, their tools are good quality IMO, your gonna need 1/2" drive stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomS Posted May 1, 2012 Author Share Posted May 1, 2012 I've got 1/2" and 1/4". Neither fit the wheel spacer nuts though. I did have something that fitted but couldn't see size markings on it and due to its size there wasn't enough leverage to get the nuts off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zugara Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Be careful when removing them, they are very soft and the socket easily slips off. Make sure you can "crack" the nuts before loosening the entire torque on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebized Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Here is a thread on how to hold the front hubs if you no one willing to sit in the car with their foot on the brake viewtopic.php?f=61&t=51490 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John tarantula Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 I jammed a jack handle between two of the studs and then when it turns it hits the floor and then stays put hope that makes sense! think the nuts on mine where 21mm on the front and 24??? on the back. Not sure what that is in inches! and a breaker bar is useful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomS Posted May 1, 2012 Author Share Posted May 1, 2012 Good tip John! WIll definitely be doing that. Just need to find out the correct nut size and what size wrench I need for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zugara Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 I've got 1/2" and 1/4". Neither fit the wheel spacer nuts though. I did have something that fitted but couldn't see size markings on it and due to its size there wasn't enough leverage to get the nuts off. Are you talking about the size of the socket or the drive size of the wrench? Whatever size socket you need, make sure it's a 1/2" drive socket. 1/4" won't touch it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomS Posted May 1, 2012 Author Share Posted May 1, 2012 Sorry, I've got 1/4" and 1/2" drive torque wrenches. The attachments that I had wouldn't fit either so I tried the 3/8" wrench I have and voila. But looking at the toolkit I have on Halfords (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_255215) I do have 20-32mm 1/2" drive sockets, so maybe I'm just being ridiculous dim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zugara Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 This http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165469 Plus a correct socket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomS Posted May 1, 2012 Author Share Posted May 1, 2012 I've already got a 1/2" breaker bar. I'm hoping that I do have the correct socket and that I was being a full on numpty. Need someone to confirm the nut size on spacers though otherwise I need to order some bits this evening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebized Posted May 1, 2012 Share Posted May 1, 2012 Eibach spacer nut sizes are 17mm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomS Posted May 3, 2012 Author Share Posted May 3, 2012 19mm on these spacers on the front. I have 19mm impact socket but due to it's thickness it won't fit around the nut. Will have to go buy http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165469 tomorrow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebized Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 19mm on these spacers on the front. I have 19mm impact socket but due to it's thickness it won't fit around the nut. Will have to go buy http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165469 tomorrow! From experience, noting the alloy spacer nuts can be quite soft, I have found it best to use a six sided socket as those impact sockets can too easily round off the edges of a stubborn nut. Tried to find where I bought mine in 2010 without success but I'm sure someone can point you in the right direction, given it does need to be a slimline and I recall Halfords at the time did not have one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomS Posted May 4, 2012 Author Share Posted May 4, 2012 Managed to get a 6 sided 19mm socket, hardly anywhere stocks them instore. Had to drive 25mins each way for this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zugara Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 Managed to get a 6 sided 19mm socket, hardly anywhere stocks them instore. Had to drive 25mins each way for this! Have you got the bloody things off yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomS Posted May 5, 2012 Author Share Posted May 5, 2012 From experience, noting the alloy spacer nuts can be quite soft, I have found it best to use a six sided socket as those impact sockets can too easily round off the edges of a stubborn nut. Soft isn't the word, they're made of ****ing jelly. Using a 6 sided 19mm socket has wrecked most of them as they were on that tight, no idea how tight they were put on but it made taking the wheel nuts off childs play. Are they made of steel? I need to buy a new set but want to get something stronger as whatever these ar it might as well be jelly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 i think i have 1 spare 20mm wheel spacer with nuts in the garage, and one dead spacer with nuts.back in the day when i had them on my old zed. I had to have 1 cut off as it had welded itself on. think i still have them in the garage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomS Posted May 7, 2012 Author Share Posted May 7, 2012 Thanks for the offer, the wheels are all on. Will get some photos up of the nuts post removal. These are my new favourite thing - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Irwin-Bolt-Grip ... B000QW6K8I. Dig themselves into a nut and make it easier to get out. One of the nuts was on that tight I had to heat it for around 60 seconds, hammer a nut extractor on then wait for it to cool them use a breaker bar to get it off. Can not believe how much effort it took to get all the wheel spacer nuts off, previous garage must have torqued them far too tight as each one make a big cracking noise when it got free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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