1968 Mexico - looking for wheel nut wrench | FerrariChat

1968 Mexico - looking for wheel nut wrench

Discussion in 'Maserati' started by sinkman, Apr 17, 2022.

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  1. sinkman

    sinkman Karting

    Oct 28, 2010
    245
    Melbourne Australia
    Full Name:
    Phil
    I have misplaced/lost my octagonal (?) shaped wheel nut wrench and am more confident driving with one in the boot. Does anyone know where I can acquire one (or a replacement that would work)?
    Does not need to be original.
    The only one I can find is circa $850 from a classic Maserati dealer site and that is way out of my ball-park.
    Thanks
    Phil
     
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  2. thecarnut

    thecarnut F1 Rookie
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    Apr 22, 2006
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    Make sure you get the correct size as Mexicos came with two different size knock offs. The size (42 or 52) should be on the knock off itself. I bought one for my Grifo on ebay for $100 not that long ago.

    Ivan
     
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  3. sinkman

    sinkman Karting

    Oct 28, 2010
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    Phil
    As usual, thank you Ivan for the tip....I will check up
    Best Regards
    Phil
     
  4. 375+

    375+ F1 World Champ
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    Dec 28, 2005
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    I have one, not certain of the size.
     
  5. boralogist

    boralogist Formula Junior

    Jun 21, 2005
    998
    https://clarkandclarkinc.com/catalog/detail/the-british-wheel-wrench-for-octagonal-kos
     
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  6. thecarnut

    thecarnut F1 Rookie
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  7. sinkman

    sinkman Karting

    Oct 28, 2010
    245
    Melbourne Australia
    Full Name:
    Phil
    I wish this tool was available in the correct size! I have just taken a measurement from on flat side to the other - 85mm (see photo). That does not seem like it is a "42mm" or "48mm" wrench size?
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  8. sinkman

    sinkman Karting

    Oct 28, 2010
    245
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    Phil
    I have new information. It is a type 52 (84mm) wrench. If you have a spare I would like to hear from you.
     
  9. 375+

    375+ F1 World Champ
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    Just checked mine, it is the smaller version. Keep digging!
     
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  10. Mexico074

    Mexico074 Formula 3

    Aug 14, 2008
    1,225
    Harriman, TN USA
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    Michael Demyanovich
    I am going to throw this out there..

    Wouldn't it be possible to have one made by a good machine shop?

    Mike
     
  11. sinkman

    sinkman Karting

    Oct 28, 2010
    245
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    Phil
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  12. 71Satisfaction

    71Satisfaction Formula 3

    Jul 15, 2012
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    #12 71Satisfaction, Apr 26, 2022
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2022
    Phil,
    How much torque do you need it to withstand? Do you use a mallet, or just very hand-tight?

    .. my Khamsin came without a hub nut wrench, so I had the same problem..
    I didn't like the potential for the $500 OEM steel wrench to mar the nice chrome of the Khamsin's center hubs, so I experimented -

    1.) I made my first one out of 3/4 plywood, just a rough experiment, took me all of an hour to drill and cut.. It's rough, but been reliable, I keep it in the garage and I've used it the most.. The two-directional grain keeps it together. Sanded and polyurethaned it. Could you find a local carpenter make you one?

    2.) I got a little OCD and drew up simple plans and took them to a local jet-cutting company to run a prototype made of 3/4" high-density plastic. I think it cost me $200 for two. Can you find a similar shop in OZ? This is the one I keep in the car's tool kit. I already gifted the extra one to a Maserati friend. I could run another batch and ship one to you if you want.

    Both experiments work well.
    - Art

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  13. thecarnut

    thecarnut F1 Rookie
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    Apr 22, 2006
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    Hi Art,

    The knock offs on a Khamsin are cosmetic and only cover the lug nuts, those on the Mexico are the only thing that holds the wheels. Phil needs a heavy duty metal wrench and knock off mallet to make sure the knock offs seat the wheels properly. A socket with a long extension bar also works. I do not think something made out of wood or plastic will work in Phil's situation. BTW: your plastic tool works great on a Khamsin!

    Ivan
     
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  14. JulianMerak

    JulianMerak Formula 3

    Hi Phil,
    I have a flat version of the 52mm tool which I could probably get a laser cut copy made from. The trouble is that it ends up quite close to the wheel rim and it’s easy to chip the paint. I have wrapped mine in tape to reduce the likelihood of damage

    Julian
     
  15. JulianMerak

    JulianMerak Formula 3

     
  16. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    #17 staatsof, Apr 27, 2022
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2022
    Maybe put a bend in the handle after it's cut?

    I carry one of these for my Espadas knock off ears with a nice slip over piece of pipe.
    https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/sockets-ratchets/torque-wrenches/34-in-drive-click-type-torque-wrench-63883.html

    It was half that price when I bought it. It's not worth $90 IMO but it doesn't have to be super accurate.

    A 52 mm socket isn't outrageously expensive just a bit bulk to carry.

    https://www.mcmaster.com/54155A24/

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/393572109958?hash=item5ba2b9ce86:g:1ZYAAOSwDaxhQMln
     
  17. thecarnut

    thecarnut F1 Rookie
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    You may want to heat up the metal to give the handle a bend.
    Ivan
     
  18. red27

    red27 Formula Junior

    Sep 7, 2010
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    London UK
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    Mark Oliver
    Unfortunately the sockets are for a 52 mm hexagon and the hub spinner is octagonal. McGrath Maserati in the UK used to sell one for under £100 which had a bend in the handle. I have mine somewhere. It may be worth an email just to see, but I bet a local machinist could water or laser cut one fairly easily.

    Best.
    Mark.
     
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  19. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    Ooops!
     
  20. MK1044

    MK1044 Two Time F1 World Champ

    Nov 6, 2011
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    That looks like a fairly straightforward fabrication.
    If you don't mind the corner relief holes like Art's @71Satisfaction plywood mock up, then any metal working shop should be able to do this.
    I suspect somebody could make a suitable tool for U$D 250 or so.

    Ivan, what thickness (of the wrench) is required? 1/4" ~ 7mm enough engagement?
     
  21. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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  22. thecarnut

    thecarnut F1 Rookie
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    This is what a proper octagonal knock off tool looks like. The metal that goes around the knock off itself is 15mm thick. The handle has to take the blows of the hammer and has an extra ridge for a total of 17mm thick.

    Ivan

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  23. MK1044

    MK1044 Two Time F1 World Champ

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    It appears to be made of sheet metal which seems flimsy.
    The advert says it takes a 3/4" drive, which suggests it is intended for some serious muscle.
    But the photo looks smaller, maybe 3/8" drive. Possibly a misprint?

    In any case I suppose it's worth a shot. Tell the vendor what your intended use is and see what they say.
     
  24. staatsof

    staatsof Nine Time F1 World Champ
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    #25 staatsof, May 9, 2022
    Last edited: May 9, 2022
    I never liked the idea of using a hammer which is why I went with a socket, a large torque wrench and a slip over extension. The socket I have for the 3 eared knock offs on my Espada is not the gorgeous $500 example from that link I posted. But it's a similar idea, something fashioned by a fellow Lamborghini owner. It was made by cutting openings on one of those large, stamped truck axle nuts so as to engage the ears properly. The engagement surfaces are covered with thick rawhide that's attached with nylon nuts and screws. At the time this was fashioned Oldtimertools wasn't offering their wrenches.

    I agree with Carmine, it's worth a shot and very reasonable.

     

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