Wire wheels - how tight?

[mgbcca]

I have a ’75 MGB. It was already converted to wire wheels and chrome bumpers when I bought it.

I have noticed that the left-rear wheel tends to loosen off as I drive, although I hammer the spinner on pretty tight. I guess it needs to be on tighter, but I don’t want to overtighten it and stretch the bolt.

Can anyone help with a) how tight should it be? And b) how to measure the torque – slip a pipe over the wrench, or?

Thanks for any help
<font color="blue"> </font>

 

[MGTF1250Dave]

Aloha MGBCCA,

Does the left front knock off tighten in the same direction as the left rear? I'm thinking that perhaps during the conversion to wire wheels, a right side hub was mounted on the left so that it would loosen while driving.

When you say it becomes lose, do you mean the wheel will make a "clunk" sound on acceleration or braking? This is most likely caused by worn splines on the hub and or wheel. The knock off holds the wheel on the hub, the spline keep the wheel turning with the hub.

I've yet to have a knock off come loose after hammering then tightly on. I doubt you could strip those threads, you will probably damage the knock off ears or the octagon wrench first.

Good luck on solving the problem.

Safety Fast,
Dave

 

[Dave Russell]

Left side knockoff hub nuts should tighten CW. Right side CCW. Pretty tight, however they should be self tightening if correctly installed.
D

 

[Steve_S]

Tightening the knock-offs with the wrench and hammer (assuming you have octogon knockoffs), you should hammer them until they are pretty tight. No need to mash them so hard you deform the wrench or nut corners but they should be good and snug. I have never seen an actual torque for knockoffs and even if there was, measuring would be difficult.

Theoretically the knockoff nuts should tighten as you drive, or at least according to the laws of physics. However I do not subscribe to this theory readily as I have seen the aftermath of wire wheels coming off while in motion!

Always grease the splines and threads to prevent binding and to allow proper tightening of the nut. Also, always remember to tighten the knockoff while the wheel is OFF THE GROUND! Tightening with the weight of the car on the wheel will not tighten properly and you may loose a wheel.