Spitfire Removing cap over front hub on Spit

[AustinJim]

I want to remove the front hub on my 78 Spit. The book says the small cap (about 1.5" in diameter) covering the nut can be removed by screwing in a #10 UNF setscrew. What size is a #10 UNF in terms I can use here in the US? Could it be a #10 fine thread bolt? Just want to be sure so I don't strip the threads with the wrong size.
Thanks!

 

[Geo Hahn]

[ QUOTE ]
What size is a #10 UNF in terms I can use here in the US? Could it be a #10 fine thread bolt?

[/ QUOTE ]

I believe that is correct... but in my experience you are likely to strip the threads anyway if the cap has not been off for a log time. There are just a couple of threads in what is a stamped sheet metal cap so they can't take much tugging.

What I do: To remove the cap I use an eye bolt about 2" long. Rather than insert and pull I insert it until it makes contact with the end if the stub axle... then tighten, wiggle, tighten some more, wiggle some more -- if all goes well the cap is neatly drawn off the hub.

With the cap off (or on the replacement cap I get after using channel-locks to remove the old cap) I JBWeld a nut inside the cap to backup the threads (have to do this with a bolt in place so the threads all align). This plus some grease or anti-sieze on the lip plus occasional removal will make things easy in the future.

 

[UltimateQuestion]

You can also try a self-tapper metal screw of the appropriate size. Screw it in enough to get a good bite and then wiggle the cap off with it. It will mess up the cap a little bit, but that's what the nave plates (cool British term, eh?) are there to hide.