Centaure front wheel nut

[steven c]

 So I'm replacing the 20 year old tires on the Centauro and can't get the front wheel nut off with my C wrench as show in the video I found on YouTube. All it does is put a dent in the nuts slot. Do I have to break down and spend the bucks on the special socket?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I replaced the one on my Centauro with a "normal" hex nut. I still have a few left if you'd like one.

[dxhall]

Remove old nut with pipe wrench.  Replace with standard lock nut. 

[steven c]

 That's what Tom B told me to do. Thanks Charlie I'll check with my Hardware store first. They have a goos assortment of metric SS.What was the reasoning behind specking this? Force you to go to the dealer?

[pehayes]

Or, you can leave the original nut and buy a hook wrench.  When I had a Centauro I bought this one at Lowe's but I'm not sure they sell it any longer.

https://www.ebay.com/p/691286386

IIRC, I had to do just a little bit of Dremel grind fine tuning.

BrassCraft BC T149

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[steven c]

 That's kind of what I am using, I chipped off the edge of one of the flutes with it. It's on real tight.

[Chuck in Indiana]

That's what Tom B told me to do. Thanks Charlie I'll check with my Hardware store first. They have a goos assortment of metric SS.What was the reasoning behind specking this? Force you to go to the dealer?

I think they still had a barrel full of them left over from WW2 Fiat fighter planes.  Gotta use them *somewhere* so put them on transmission input gears, Centauros, and 98 EVs. 

[steven c]

That sounds about right. I have to say taking off the back wheel was easy.

[Craig in Alabama]

I used a large socket (1 1/16 I think) and put four small pieces of coat hanger wire in the slots on the nut. The socket fit right over them and worked perfectly to get the nut off and back on.

Cheers!
Craig

[steven c]

 Great idea. I needed it off so used a pipe wrench to take it off and put back on after I got the new tire mounted. The pipe didn't mess up the finish that much the teeth just hooked into the slots nicely. My hardware store didn't have any 18mm fine thread nuts.

[dxhall]

Whether the coat-hanger-and-socket method will produce a reliable torque figure when you put the wheel back on, of course, is another matter ...

[Roebling3]

All the auto supply shops in my area will loan less frequently used tools to anyone with a surety payment they will refund 100% upon return.  R3~ 

[pehayes]

I used a large socket (1 1/16 I think) and put four small pieces of coat hanger wire in the slots on the nut. The socket fit right over them and worked perfectly to get the nut off and back on.

Cheers!
Craig

Most of the recommended tools are too big to carry in a roadside emergency kit.  I found a big, brass nut.  I bored out the center on my lathe.  I installed four small screws and rebored.  This fits nicely in my tool kit and can be driven by an adjustable wrench or channel lock pliers.





Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[Joliet Jim]

I replaced the one on my Centauro with a "normal" hex nut. I still have a few left if you'd like one.

Somebody must have done that on mine before I bought it years ago. I've never had an issue.

[steven c]

 Charlie the generous guy he is, is sending be a nut. Thanks Charlie.

[Tusayan]

Somebody must have done that on mine before I bought it years ago. I've never had an issue.

As I recall, back in the day somebody (I’ve forgotten who) ordered a bunch of low profile stainless nuts and distributed them online.  My bikes and many others had the front axle nut changed as part of setting them up, within a few days of new. I also changed the brake disc retaining screws from button head to socket head cap screw, and replaced the mismachined rear discs with new replacements - a warranty item that didn’t get done on a lot of them.