Has anybody got a good method of removing the speed nuts that are fitted on several types of mowers like the Rover. There must be some way of getting them off without trying to lever them off with a screwdriver which usually damages the hub.
They're horrors. Makes you appreciate Victa circlips for sure. You need a tool that somehow grips them equally on either side so you can wrestle them out. Mower shops probably have a special tool.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
These are the ones I am picturing in my head. This one is easier to access than some I have seen which are inside a bore. The wheel cover was hard to get off as well. Fortunate I didn't break it just to show you.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
I've levered a few off, the clips sure shoot a long way when they finally give in.
The other way is using side cutting pliers and cutting at the narrow bits to make the clip into 2 pieces. Then either replace with circips or the speed washers - I have heard some people install them with a right size round steel pipe, or ratchet socket (somewhere between 12 and 16 mm) and give the new clip a tap with the hammer.
I think they are called star lock washers from memory.
It's a shame these fasteners found their way onto lawnmower wheels. It is a sure sign of engineering intention - to produce throw-away goods.
I used to see them on toys and washing trolleys. Some clips were quite nice, with a built-in chrome hubcap.
They go under many names - some proprietary, some generic. Generally speed nuts will retain a hex shape (easy for removal). Speed clips and star locks are easy to install (as Tyler describes), but are buggers to get off.
It's almost a surgical procedure. There is no shortage of removal ideas:-
Rytool makes a good 4-piece pick and hook set of clips ...
They are meant to be one time use items but there ways to get them off. For those like in post #4 I modify an el cheapo flat blade screw into pry lever with l bend the tip 90 degrees or slightly more so I can get to the underside next to the shaft so I can slight lift up and work my way around until the clip comes off use the bushing a backing block. The length the bent areas depends on how far you got reach in to get to the shaft. Basically you releasing the spring tension as you lift up and repositioning the clip higher until you get it off. Some of clips then need the inter spring tabs flatten out some so they can be reused. The size screwdriver to use depend how much pressure you must use to release the spring tabs otherwords flimsy ones you get by with a flimsy screwdriver and heavier takes better screwdriver. You may need further mods depending what is in the way too.
I tried and have used the spring hooks to remove them but it a much harder way to remove them. Sometimes when you got replacement it is just easier to cut them off.
Here some I remove and reuse from MTD mowers. The ones below are the 5/8 version and 3/4 are a little harder to get off as they have less spring tabs width wise. As you can see you can't access the spring tabs as long as the plastic caps are on them unless you use the pry bar method or remove t he plastic caps. I can get the 3/4 version for a couple dollars but the 5/8 ones are nearly five dollars US plus shipping so I reused them whenever I can and sometimes the OEMs will not even sell you them. They are using them on wheel spindle shafts and the brake/clutch pedals. I also have them used several other pieces of equipment over the years. There other version of the push nuts that you can not save due their design.
Well, that's a lively discussion! - so far - that should not be lost. It is fantastic - the expertise that folks show on these basic things.
If no one objects, I would like to move this topic to Tech Talk. Heading will be something like "Speed Fasteners - Removal - wheels, etc" Key words within your posts should help searching.
I just thought of a new nickname for them. Face hugger clips. Once they attach, they don't come off easily, and one they do, they are dead. (Did you like that one?)
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
Ok so now I have come across another doozie. This is on a Rover 4 wheels all look the same and original. The right hand rear has a normal type hubcap, the other 3 look as if the hubcap is part of the wheel and even when I get a screwdriver way in between the hub and the tyre it appears to be part of the wheel not a cap.I can't imaging how it has been made or even fitted to the axle. I know logic tells me they have to be the same but it sure doesn't look like it and I know if I put anymore pressure on them something will break
I use the pointy end of a knife to get between the cap and wheel so the screwdriver can slot in,if the cap feels very tight with one screw driver when trying to lever off the cap, I would use two screw drivers so the ends are near the center hub.
It's definitely a push on cap Norm, I would use the two screw driver method on old Rover mowers.
Hi Max, I know they have to be push on somehow and they have always come off using the screwdriver method, just these seem different. They have to come off because there is no way they could fit a speed clip to hold the wheel on.
Hi Norm, yes you know how they come off it's just those Rover ones get really stuck on,use the force if it breaks I will give you a couple of spare hub caps.
![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/OhNuYa2.jpg)
