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Interesting observation

big6

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I recently changed the left front wheel on an Ottawa yard switcher and the left wheel has left hand thread lug-nuts. This got me to thinking about the logic in right and left hand threads to attach wire wheels to Healey’s. The spinner nuts that state “Right Side” have left hand threads and the nuts that state “Left Side” have right hand threads. I recently disassembled my differential and after removing the axles I had to remove the retaining nuts for the axle bearings. The right side has right hand threads and the left side has left hand threads. Merely an observation…
 
The forces that tend to unscrew the knockoff & the forces that unscrew the axle retainer nut are in opposite directions.
D
 
Dave, all true for spinners where they are at the center, but what about the "yard switcher" and Ramblers with lug nuts left-hand threaded. That never made sense to me. It's just a bolt once it isn't in the center... no? Peter
 
Hi Peter,
You are correct. For "standard" multi lug nuts, I can see no reason for LH threads. A few cars used them for a while, including old Chrysler products I believe, for what reason I'm not sure. It has certainly confused folks in the past. Maybe they just projected the center lock theory to the multi lug wheels without thinking.

The left & right center lock makes the spinners self tightening when traveling in a forward direction, but self loosening when traveling backward such as towing by the back end with the front wheels on the ground. Also, a few folks have installed the hubs on the wrong sides of the car & had similar results.

BTW, there was a car using center lock wheels that had them all right hand. The old Cobra?, I believe. I have heard war stories about them coming off while driving down the road & the need to safety wire the spinners.
D
 
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