I completed my first centerlock wheel installation yesterday. The process was no big deal but the time compared to a 5-lug is about 20 minutes longer due to the greasing requirements.

I used a breaker bar/torque wrench combo made by Precision Instruments (e-bay for $400), Castrol grease (Suncoast Parts for $32), and 3-ton jack (Costco for $100).

Comments:

1. Followed the manual.
2. Needed another person to engage brake.
3. Plastic gloves are a must when using applying grease.
4. Need to have some fat (I am at 185 lbs and really need to use my entire weight to break the centerlock loose).

 

20 minutes longer than what? I can change all 5 of my wheels with 5 lugs in less than 20 minutes.

 

Add 20 minutes to the less than 20 minutes it takes to change your 5 lug wheels? Sounds about right.

 

get the big Irwin wood clamp and reverse it to hold the brake down...then you can do it solo.

 

What kind of Porsche are you driving that has 5 wheels?

 

Now THAT's a great question.

 

GT5

 

You guys give a guy a break! He's referring to the steering wheel!

 

Everybody has a price Satco

 

You GT3 guys are comedians. Hahaha!

BTW. I called a dealer to inquire how much to take off and re-install centerlock wheels after I got them mounted and balanced somewhere else....$550. Whaaaaaa?

I need to change profession!

 

I had similar experience this weekend and used same tools. I had to replace tires track side, and the tire shop did not know what to do with centerlocks, so I did that part myself. I did rear wheels only, and it took under 15 minutes for 2 wheels. Rear wheels are easier because parking brake holds. But basically, it's very simple - taking wheels off takes less than a minute per wheel, even faster than 5 lugs. Putting them on takes about the same as 5 lug nuts, plus extra time to apply the robot sex lube (1-2 mins per wheel, if not disassembling the nut, which is not required for every time, only once in a while). It was easier and quicker than I expected.

One tip I'd suggest - break and tighten the nuts pulling up, not pushing down. Pulling up is more controlled than jumping on the wrench handle (I'm 140lb, so pushing down is almost not even an option , but I can pull up more than 3 times that).

Another learning - do not expect tire shops, even at race tracks, to have any idea what to do with center locks, so be prepared to do it yourself!

 

5 wheels means 25% more tire traction... all the cool kids are doing it.

typed on my iPhone 9.1.

 

Of course not, you drive a PORSCHE !!!!!

 

lol.....just giving you a hard time Mayor....was pretty sure you knew you didn't really have 5 wheels.

 

Maybe we're talking the same thing, but the Irwin SL300 18-inch Clamp/Spreader is perfect for the job. It's available on Amazon.com and at many hardware stores. Here's a photo as a spreader: