Overview

This guide goes through the steps we used to remove and re-install the wheels on a 1987 Ferrari Testarossa with single wheel nuts. For our car, the wheel nuts were really stuck on tight. It took us a number of attempts, specialty tools, and consultations with mechanics who have worked on these cars. There are a number of horror stories of the wheel nut coming loose while driving, resulting in the wheel coming off. Therefore, doing this correctly to insure the driver/passenger's safety and the safety of others was paramount. As always, this was just our experience and what has worked well for us - each situation may be different.

One of the most difficult issues we encountered when removing the wheels, was preventing the wheel from spinning (even with the car on the ground). In the end, one of us applied and held the brake pedal with the car running. Since we were removing the wheels to replace some old, under performing brake pads, the brakes had difficulty preventing the wheels from spinning. A combination of wood for wheel chocks and using an angle less than 45° to the ground ended up working (thank goodness).

¹ Yes, this 3/4" drive torque wrench does fit in the front trunk of the Testarossa.

² This style of torque multiplier was the one that worked for us. Torque multipliers (like this torque multiplier) did NOT work.