I guess I can say that I am still fairly new with the E-Types but I'm having a lot of difficulty removing the knock off hubs from my Series 3. My XK150 two eared knock offs loosen with just a couple of whacks. My Series 3 requires 30 plus blows with a very heavy hammer. I just can't imagine having a flat and trying to get the things off on the road! They are very well greased and I did not install them with more than normal force and yes I am using the bronze piece the fits over the hub. HELP!!!

Submitted by raymondobrien@… on Thu, 05/07/2009 - 10:19

I have a series III E-Type. Here is how I handle the knock-offs, you can certainly give this a try. As noted above use a copper, or lead hammer, begin by striking the bronze adapter while the car is on the ground. One or two strikes should loosen the knock-off.

Once the knock offs are removed, take some brake cleaner or carburetor cleaner and clean all the grease and any road grit from the hubs and the inside of the knock offs. Check to be sure than no threads are missing or are cross-threaded.

Once they are clean I use a waterproof marine grease to lube the hubs. The knock offs should now go on and off easily.

Submitted by bonnettoboot@e… on Wed, 05/06/2009 - 09:31

Pat, make sure the wheels/tyres are on the ground when you begin the process then, once loose you can raise the wheel . Also as you have the 150, try the spinners from that or vica/verca, 30 blows with a heavy hammer is likely to cause collateral damage.

Submitted by SC38-21185J on Wed, 05/06/2009 - 09:26

Absolutely! Been there; done that. :-(

Normally I would want to slip a 3 foot cheater pipe on one of the spokes on that adapter to give better leverage, but with the taper on those ears, I don't know how possible that would be.

P

Submitted by SC38-21185J on Wed, 05/06/2009 - 09:16

Agree, this is a bit strange. Hard to believe the spinners could have become cross-threaded. How long has it been since last disassembly? If not cross-threads, it has to be rust. I would opt for a heavier hammer than the lead one. Get a good sized mall or small sledge. I hate those adapters by the way.

Patrick

Submitted by SE98-32482CJ on Wed, 05/06/2009 - 09:08

While the thick grease might make it slow to spin off it is not the reason for the 30 whacks. The "panic" stops were not the cause --not sure what is going on---are the hubs getting very hot on runs? Just kidding but are you sure that is molly and not some sort of adhesive?

Submitted by pharmon@jcna.com on Wed, 05/06/2009 - 09:01

Thanks for the reply George. Yes, the hub and knock offs are in excellent condition. There is looseness between the brass tool and the knock off but I took up the slack with one hand while striking the tool with the lead hammer. I've reporting front brake squeal in another thread and Dick Maury recommended I do 4 or 5 panic brake stops which I did yesterday. Unfortunately that did nothing for the squeal but I'm thinking it may have overtightened the knock offs. I'm now thinking about the grease I've been using - standard moly bearing grease. Perhaps if I used some anti-seize compound similar to what we put on the spark plugs. Before I do that I will clean both hub and knock off threads as perhaps theres some grit in there. Thoughts?

Submitted by SE98-32482CJ on Wed, 05/06/2009 - 06:41

Pat with the assumption that all is right with the hubs and knock offs let me suggest this--the Federal knock offs have lost motion with the brass tool (movement). Try using a thick piece of leather to take up the slack between the two. You also say you are using a very heavy hammer but is this a dead blow hammer or a correct lead hammer? The dead blow hammers are good for what they do but are useless for this. As you know the hubs self tighten under braking but not that much----just a question--how hard is it to put the hubs on?